Foodscaping

File:White cabbage garden.jpgIt is unknown who first coined the expression foodscaping. The term and ideology of foodscaping have been around since the late 20th century, yet have only come into popular use during the 21st century. Despite the modernity of foodscaping, integrating edible plants into landscaping spaces is not a new concept. Similar practices date back to ancient and medieval gardening and agricultural techniques.Çelik, Filiz D. "The Importance of Edible Landscape in the Cities". Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology, vol. 5, no. 2, 2017, pp.118–24, {{doi|10.24925/turjaf.v5i2.118-124.957}} Accessed 19 March 2020. Foodscaping as a contemporary theory presents "a modern take on the way that past generations utilized land".Arthur, Brie. "Foodscaping: revolution or evolution?". Acta Horticulturae, 1212, 2018, pp. 279–84, admin.ipps.org/uploads/3B-Arthur-Brie-Foodscape.pdf. Accessed 28 March 2020. Unlike most historical horticultural practices, foodscaping explicitly supports the idea that edible landscapes can be just as aesthetically pleasing as purely decorative landscapes. Foodscaping advocates attempt to subvert the conventional perception of vegetable gardens as unattractive and instead view edible crops as design features in and of themselves. It is sometimes believed that this ideology emerged from increasingly experimental approaches to gardening and landscaping in the modern era.

{{See also|History of gardening}}Edible landscaping techniques practiced in different historical cultures and periods can be seen as ancestors of foodscaping. In Ancient Rome, Roman villa gardens were often both productive and ornamental, though agricultural production was the primary purpose of earlier villa gardens. Archaeological research suggests that these Roman gardens took on various forms such as large vineyard landscapes or small herb gardens. Kitchen gardens, vineyards, and orchard played an important role in the lives of ancient Romans, whose diets were largely based on fruit and vegetables.Jashemski, Wilhelmina F., et al., editors. Gardens of the Roman Empire. Cambridge University Press, 2017, doi: doi.org/10.1017/9781139033022. Accessed 18 March 2020.

In Mesoamerican culture, elaborate gardens and horticultural gardens were a pleasure of Aztec elites. Flowering, fragrant and medicinal plants were believed to be "perquisites of the lords". According to historical letters written by Aztec nobles, impressive gardens often included bright flower beds, fruit trees, herbs, and sweet-smelling flowers. Groves, orchards, and water gardens were sometimes incorporated into the designs of the more elaborate gardens.Evans, Susan Toby. "Aztec Royal Pleasure Parks: Conspicuous Consumption and Elite Status Rivalry.” Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, vol. 20, no. 3, Taylor & Francis Group, Sept. 2000, pp. 206–28, {{doi|10.1080/14601176.2000.10435621}} Accessed 1 June 2020.

Another ancient precedent to foodscaping can be found in Mesopotamia. Babylonians and Assyrians created gardens throughout cities and in palace courtyards that were a representation of Paradise. These featured fragrant trees and edible fruits. Archaeological evidence suggests that, in roughly 1000 BCE, Assyrian Kings developed a naturalistic landscape style in which streams of water ran through gardens that grew plants such as junipers, almonds, dates, rosewood, quince, fir pomegranate, and oak.Dalley, Stephanie. "Ancient Mesopotamian Gardens and the Identification of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon Resolved." Garden History, vol. 21, no. 1, Garden History Society, July 1993, pp. 1–13, {{doi|10.2307/1587050}} Accessed 1 June 2020.

During the Renaissance era, villa and chateau gardens in Europe often yielded fruit and vegetables to sell locally. The profits were used to support the villa's or chateau's maintenance costs. Some of the common kinds of plants integrated into the elaborate Renaissance garden designs included figs, pears, apples, strawberries, cabbage, leeks, onions, and peas.

It is believed that village workers created English cottage gardens during Elizabethan times as a personal source of vegetables. Flowers were also planted within these gardens for ornamental purposes.Scott-James, Anne. The Cottage Garden. Allen Lane, 1981.

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As a result of rapid urbanization seen in recent decades, methods of food production have undergone significant change.Karaca, Elif. "Edible Landscapes as a Solution to Food Security Problem". Theory and Practice in Social Sciences, edited by Viliyan Krystev, et al., St. Kliment Ohridski University Press, 2019, pp. 227–36. According to the United Nations, the Earth's urban population has "grown rapidly from 746 million in 1950 to 3.9 billion in 2014"."World's population increasingly urban with more than half living in urban areas". United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 10 July 2014, www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/population/world-urbanization-prospects-2014.html. Accessed 13 April 2020. These accelerated trends in urbanization and population density during the late 20th and 21st century have placed stress on the availability of agricultural land and contributed to growing food insecurity. As a result, there has been an increased desire to re-introduce food growth into urban environments. The ongoing rise in the human population, as well as international goals to reduce hunger and malnutrition, have further escalated the demand for food nutrients.Myers, Melvin L. "Agriculture and Natural Resources Based Industries". Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, edited by Jeanne M. Stellman, vol. 3, International Labour Office, 1988.

It is believed that these factors have increased the number of people adopting foodscaping strategies.

Foodscaping is widely accepted to increase food security, availability, and accessibility.Stefani, Monique C., et al. (2018). "Toward the Creation of Urban Foodscapes: Case Studies of Successful Urban Agriculture Projects for Income Generation, Food Security, and Social Cohesion". Urban Horticulture: Sustainability for the Future, edited by Dilip Nandwani, Springer, 2018, p. 91. The instability of supermarket prices can affect food availability. As "self-sufficient food systems", edible landscapes can help decrease a household's dependence on imported food. Foodscaping provides these households with access to a sustainable food source, even when faced with unpredictable circumstances such as the inability to procure food from commercial stores or periods of low financial income.

Depending on the premise's size and scale, significant financial costs can be involved in the initial design and creation of edible landscaping.Conway, Tenley M. "Home-based Edible Gardening: Urban Residents' Motivations and Barriers". Cities and the Environment, vol. 9, no. 1, 2016, article 3, pp. 1–21. Digital Commons, digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cate/vol9/iss1/3/. Accessed 4 April 2020. However, it is still generally accepted that foodscaping can help to lower food costs once the products of the edible plants have been harvested.

In increasing the quantity of locally grown and consumed produce, foodscaping also promotes local food sustainability.Arthur, Brie. The Foodscape Revolution: Finding a Better Way to Make Space for Food and Beauty in Your Garden. Pennsylvania, St. Lynn’s Press, 2017. It is also believed that foodscaping can help to address the demand for food within the context of global issues such as overpopulation, an unpredictable climate and waning energy resources.Tovey, Nina. "Grow food not lawns with the fertile world of foodscaping". Endeavour College of Natural Health, 10 November 2014, www.endeavour.edu.au/about-us/blog/grow-food-not-lawns-with-the-fertile-world-of-foodscaping/. Accessed 16 April 2020.

Large-scale agricultural premises typically require large amounts of energy, such as the use of diesel, propane, and electricity to carry out farming operations.Hicks, Susan. "Energy for growing and harvesting crops is a large component of farm operating costs". U.S. Energy Information Administration, 17 October 2014, www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=18431. Accessed 20 April 2020. The practice of edible landscaping often uses less energy and produces less waste than traditional methods of food production. This is because the food products cultivated from edible landscaping usually involve little processing, packaging or refrigeration.

Foodscaping can also help reduce food miles by decreasing the need for long-distance transportation of food. "A grocery store has on average 1,500 miles per product", says horticulturalists and foodscaping advocate Brie Arthur. These ships and trucks emissions leave a harmful carbon footprint, which could be reduced through the practice of growing edible plants at home instead of buying fresh produce. Foodscaping can further allow participants to help reduce the use of fossil fuel-based pesticides and fertilizers which negatively impact the environment.

A common motivation behind foodscaping is the desire to grow, cook, and consume foods of high nutritious content.Eastman, Janet. "Change out plants for ones you can eat: 'Foodscaping' edible landscape". The Oregonian/Oregon Live, 31 July 2015, www.oregonlive.com/hg/2015/07/edible_landscape_charlie_nardo.html. Accessed 16 Apr. In a 2014 research survey conducted by the Australian Institute, 71% of surveyed foodscaping households in Australia were incorporating edibles into their gardens for access to fresh, healthier produce.Wise, Poppy. "Grow Your Own: The potential value and impacts of residential and community food gardening". The Australian Institute, 31 March 2014, www.tai.org.au/content/grow-your-own. Accessed 13 April 2020. It is generally accepted that homegrown fruits and vegetables are fresher and more nutritious than supermarket produce, which is sometimes sold multiple days or even weeks after harvesting.Spellman, Frank R., & Joan Price-Bayer. Regulating Food Additives: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Rowman & Littlefield, 2019.

In recent years, increasing concern has been expressed towards the health effects of the chemical additives and preservatives in commercially grown fruit and vegetables. Foodscaping has been considered a way to reduce exposure to chemically modified produce.Dolce, Anne. "What is Foodscaping?" The Daily Meal, 5 June 2013, www.thedailymeal.com/foodscaping-fancy-word-gardening-or-important-initiative. Accessed 13 April 2020.

Edible landscaping allows participants to increase fresh food production in urban areas. In these areas, the most accessible kinds of food are typically processed kinds, which can lead to greater dietary intakes of sugar, sodium, and fat. Many academic studies have inferred strong links between urban gardening and healthy lifestyle choices. The gardening practices involved in foodscaping are believed to increase participants' fruit and vegetable consumption and the value of preparing nutritious meals.Garcia, Mariana T., et al. "The impact of urban gardens on adequate and healthy food: a systematic review". Public Health Nutrition, vol. 21, no. 2, Feb. 2018, pp. 416–25, {{doi|10.1017/S1368980017002944}} Accessed 16 April 2020.

Research has also demonstrated that creating green spaces (created via methods such as foodscaping) can increase an individual's overall mental health in addition to physiological health benefits. This is achieved through its positive impact on socioeconomic factors such as community attachment, reduced crime, and socialization.{{Cite journal |last1=Hall |first1=Charles R. |last2=Knuth |first2=Melinda J. |date=2019-12-01 |title=An Update of the Literature Supporting the Well-Being Benefits of Plants: Part 3 - Social Benefits |journal=Journal of Environmental Horticulture |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=136–142 |doi=10.24266/0738-2898-37.4.136 |issn=0738-2898|doi-access=free }}

Depending on the scale of the edible landscape, foodscaping may require extra time and manual labour to maintain, unlike a regular garden or landscape. This is as the aim of foodscaping is to yield edible returns while also remaining aesthetically pleasing, which may involve added watering, fertilization, pest control and pruning. A lack of time and unsuitable conditions such as climate and insufficient shade can be significant deterrents for people wishing to create edible landscapes. However, maintenance requirements can be reduced by choosing plant species that are suited to the geographic location, climate, and conditions of the area to be foodscaped.

During certain times of the year, monitoring the ripeness of food production is a requirement for successful foodcaping. If fruits are not harvested at the correct time, they may rot and become visually unappealing within an edible landscape. This may also attract undesired pests or vermin.

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File:Row of Swiss Chard at Phipps Conservatory.jpeg, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Swiss chard is often used in foodscaping for its vibrant colours.]]

Plants in foodscaping designs are typically chosen for their aesthetic and edible appeal. Many vegetables can add colour to foodscaping spaces. Swiss chard, cabbage, and lettuce species come in many colourful varieties, making them a popular choice for foodscaping. Edible flowers, such as carnations, marigolds, cornflowers and pansies can also be used to add decoration and brightness to an edible landscape.{{Cite web |date=2019-01-12 |title=Foodscaping: A "New" Way To Create A Garden |url=http://gardenculturemagazine.com/foodscaping-a-new-way-to-create-a-garden/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Garden Culture Magazine |language=en-CA}}

Garden writer Charlie Nardozzi suggests that lemon, apple, plum, and cherry trees can serve as edible alternatives for ornamental trees. He also proposes that blueberry, elderberry and gooseberry plants can substitute popular decorative shrubs such as roses, hydrangeas and privet hedges. Alpine strawberries and chives have also been suggested as suitable replacements for non-edible flowering plants.Nardozzi, Charlie. Foodscaping: Practical and Innovative Ways to Create an Edible Landscape. Massachusetts, Cool Springs Press, 2015.

Edible landscapes generally consist of a combination of annual and perennial plants. When planning an edible landscape, it is important to know that certain plants require particular environmental conditions. One should also consider the seasonality of the edible plants being used, meaning the time of the year during which a certain species will grow best. Cool season crops require lower temperatures for growth and seed germination, whilst warm season crops are plants that thrive in higher soil and air temperatures.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-20 |title="Cool" vegetables for you to grow this spring |url=https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/cool_vegetables_for_you_to_grow_this_spring |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=MSU Extension |language=en-us}} In hot climates, the ideal plants for foodscaping are those that require little water, such as beans, spinach and broccoli. Whilst certain fruit trees, berries and rhubarb are suitable for cooler climates, root vegetables, cabbages and peas are examples of plants that cope well in extremely cold conditions.{{Cite web |title=5 reasons to try foodscaping your lawn |url=https://www.saveonenergy.com/resources/try-foodscaping-your-lawn/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=SaveOnEnergy.com |language=en}}

File:Beetroot Bettolo Capel Manor Enfield London England.jpg|alt=Beetroot (beta vulgaris)|Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

File:Cabbage plant.jpg|alt=Cabbage (brassica oleracea var. capitata)|Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

File:Tomatoes on the Vine (Unsplash).jpg|alt=Tomato vine (solanum lycopersicum)|Tomato vine (Solanum lycopersicum)

File:Capsicum annuum var. Fiesta - MHNT.jpg|alt=Chili peppers (capsicum annuum)|Chili peppers (Capsicum annuum)

File:Salvia rosmarinus (10-04-2020), vue en gros plan.jpg|alt=Flowering rosemary (salvia rosmarinus)|Flowering rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

File:Plums.jpg|alt=Plum (prunus domestica)|Plum (Prunus domestica)

File:Single raspberry on bush.jpg|alt=Raspberry (rubus idaeus)|Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

File:Calendula flower orange-yellow.jpg|alt=Calendula flower (calendula officinalis)|Calendula flower (Calendula officinalis)

File:Tagetes-Marigold-Flower 04.jpg|alt=Marigold flower (tagetes erecta)|Marigold flower (Tagetes erecta)

File:Chamomile@original size.jpg|alt=Camomile flower (matricaria chamomilla)|Camomile flower (Matricaria chamomilla)

File:Cornflower.jpg|Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

File:Viola tricolor pansy flower close up.jpg|alt=Pansy flower (viola tricolor var. hortensis)|Pansy flower (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)

Landscape designer and author Rosalind Creasy has frequently been named the "pioneer of edible landscapes" in gardening-related media and publications.Long, Jim. "The Pioneer of Edible Landscapes". Mother Earth Gardener, 2012, www.motherearthgardener.com/profiles/people/edible-landscapes-zmaz12uzfol. Accessed 13 April 2020. Since the 1970s, she has written over twenty books on edible landscaping. One of her most influential works in foodscaping is her book The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping, published in 1982.

Brie Arthur is an American professional horticulturalist who has been noted as a public advocate for the practice of suburban foodscaping.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-03-10 |title=Gardening: Foodscapes -- where beauty co-exists with bounty |url=https://richmond.com/gardening-foodscapes----where-beauty-co-exists-with-bounty/article_d0354510-7fc1-5812-8fb0-60f9285f9b26.html |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Richmond Times-Dispatch |language=en}} In order to challenge the idea that ornamental landscapes can't involve edible plants, she has spoken publicly at schools, worked with television programs, and been involved in various horticulture-related associations.Drotleff, Laura. "Foodscaping Challenges Conventional Ideas About Landscaping". Greenhouse Grower, 9 December 2015, www.greenhousegrower.com/management/foodscaping-challenges-conventional-ideas-about-landscaping/. Accessed 16 April 2020. Her debut book titled The Foodscape Revolution, Finding a Better Way to Make Space for Food and Beauty in Your Garden was published in 2017.

File:SchlossVillandryGarten03.jpgThe Ornamental Kitchen Garden is an edible landscape on the grounds of the château of Villandry, located in the Loire Valley region of France. The Italian Renaissance-style garden is composed of nine square patches, each featuring a geometric design of flowers and vegetables whose design layouts change with each bi-annual planting. These patches are lined with neat box hedges, and each displays vegetables of different colours such red cabbage, beetroot and blue leek. Each year, forty species of vegetables within eight plant families are planted.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Explore the château and gardens of Villandry |url=https://www.chateauvillandry.fr/chateau-gardens/?lang=en |access-date=2024-03-14 |language=en-US}}

Based in Iowa, Backyard Abundance is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 that aims to educate more people about edible landscaping. They encourage community residents to take part in creating transformative landscapes that can help to reduce human impact on the environment.

Founded in Kansas, 2006, Edible Estates is a foodscaping initiative that works with local art institutions and community garden groups in different cities worldwide to create productive edible landscape designs.{{Cite web |last=Oberst |first=Lindsay |date=2018-09-12 |title=Edible Landscapes: 15 Organizations Around the World That Are Helping Turn Green Spaces and Yards into Places for Healthy, Fresh Food |url=https://foodrevolution.org/blog/edible-landscaping/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Food Revolution Network |language=en-US}}

Edible Landscapes London is a non-profit organization that creates productive forest gardening spaces that integrate fruiting trees and herbs. They created the first-ever accredited course that trains people in forest gardening practices. According to Lindsay Oberst in an article on Food Revolution Network, Edible Estates "strives to inspire others to look at underused or misappropriated green spaces in a new light, highlighting new contexts for food production and connections to the natural environment".

NYU's Urban Farm Lab is a collaborative urban agriculture project promoting the integration of edible crops into urban environments. They have implemented foodscaping techniques in many spots around the university's campus.Kirschner, Kylie. "Edible Landscapes in a Concrete Jungle". Washington Square News, 24 Mar 2019, nyunews.com/culture/dining/2019/03/25/nyu-urban-landscaping-efforts/. Accessed 16 March 2020.

The Eden Project is a sustainability project in Cornwall, England, which attracts over a million yearly visitors. The 15-hectare site features large domes and a food garden, with edible produce incorporated into the landscaping design.

The Food Forest is a property in Adelaide, Australia, which grows 160 varieties of organic fruit, nuts, wheat, and vegetables on 15 hectares of land. The owners educate visitors on how ordinary families can grow their food at home by creating productive foodscapes.

The Netherlands' first "roof field" was created on top of a large office building near Rotterdam's central station in 2012 by Binder Groenprojecten. The 1000m² "roof field" is used to grow vegetables, fruits, and Herbs, and also houses honeybees.Sjauw En Wa, Amar. "Roof fields, Schieblok Rotterdam". Urban Green-Blue Grids, www.urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/roof-fields-schieblok-rotterdam/. Accessed 5 May 2020.

Wayward is a landscaping, art and architecture firm based in London that combines creative food growing with contemporary art and architecture installations.

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