Imagine sitting on your front porch overlooking a beautiful, natural looking garden complete with flowers, picnic area, paths, swimming hole and running water and everything you can imagine for the perfect weekend, yet that peaceful view also provides most of your families food, water, plus your electricity. Landscaping need not be solely ornamental, with educated and careful planning, it can also provide your basic needs and it is self generating.
In reality the above scenario may require more space than you have, but many of these elements can be incorporated into amazingly small spaces. Edible landscapes are not only practical and economical, but can provide you part of a completely self-sustaining home. A well-designed yard can even offer shelter and food to local birds and other wildlife. Now, imagine if this same yard could also provide your family with healthy, organic food, saving you a bundle of money at the grocery store.
The climate here allows you a diverse source for amazing fruits and vegetables that can grow almost without any maintenance. For ground covers there are also many options of culantro, mint and many others. For shrubs you have another wide variety of things like turmeric, shampoo ginger, galangal, lemongrass, allspice, miracle fruit and for trees as backdrops or borders the list is endless. You are never limited to specifically edible plants either. You can always add some flare with exotic tropicals to accent certain places to stop and just contemplate.
Now imagine that you add a water feature that feeds into a fish pond to raise fish or fresh water shrimp, solar for electricity, composting toilets and a water filtration system that needs no maintenance. You now have eliminated most of your living expenses and nature does the rest. Think of the possibilities. You don't need vast acreage or any special needs to accomplish this either. Just the initial expense that will quickly pay for itself and the desire to live an eco-friendly lifestyle free from monthly financial obligations and the comfort in knowing that you have done your part to save the environment.
Edible plants do not need to be grown in traditional farm looking rows to be productive. When you know the requirements for their healthy growth, many edible plants in themselves can be ornamental and planted in ways to provide a visually pleasing environment. From small clear cut parcels of property to riverside acreage, custom designs can be created to provide eco-friendly living. Edible landscaping can provide a noninvasive ecosystem catered to your specific needs and desires. A healthy place to raise your family and pets.
Frutas del Mundo has specialized in domesticating large fruit bearing trees to dwarf trees so even small patio gardens can be accommodated. No job to large or small. With over 20 years experience in Guatemala and a prior farming life, any type of terrain can provide a wealth of fruits, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants and tranquility.
Before you start, go through these steps.
Step
1; Envision and write down how you see your garden as clearly as you can with these points in mind. Consider the amount of space you have to work with, how much, if any grading will be needed to accomplish what you want. Is your land flat, sloped or hillside? What type of soil do you have? Clay, rock, sand or rich loamy soil? How many people will be provided for from the yield? If you plan on entertaining people with any frequency, how many people at one time do you anticipate? What types of animals do you want to attract or accommodate? Do you want to benefit from this personally or commercially? Are there any plants that you are allergic to? What fruits, vegetables, herbs or medicinal plants do want to focus on? How much time do you want to spend working in your yard? Low plants for ground cover, shrubs for screening, small trees for framing the garden and large trees for shade. There are edible choices in all of these categories.
Step
2; The size and location of your property will give you a start on where to begin. If it needs to be subdivided to accommodate separate areas, how much pipe is needed if you want to irrigate that way and basically determine the use of your land. What type of walkways or bridges will be used or needed?
Step
3; Look over and list the types of fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants and even ornamentals you would like to see in your new habitat.
Step
4; Get a copy of your property map for us to use. Give us a call and schedule our consultation.
