How to Plant Edible Foundation Plants

Steps for Planting Edible Foundation

Pro Tip: Landscape architect Christopher J. Cohan advises that “foundation plants should enhance your home, make it more welcoming, and tie it to the surrounding landscape.” A limited palette of plants repeated on both sides of an entry makes an effective foundation planting — consider pairing ornamental shrubs with edible varieties for a cohesive look that serves double duty.

1. Choose the right plant for the right location. Check the nursery tags to see the final height and width of each plant and plan accordingly.
2. Consider when plants will be in bloom and when there will be other interest from foliage and plant a garden so that there is always something to command attention.
3. Stage plants before digging holes.
4. Dig holes that are 2-3 times wider than the roots and don’t dig the hole too deep — keep it about 2″ shallower than the root ball.
5. For any plants where the roots are growing around the container, use a hand cultivator to tease the roots to grow away from the plant.
6. When backfilling new plants, use a mix of compost and loam and add starter fertilizer.
7. When planting a tree that’s been wrapped in burlap, expose the root flare to set the correct planting depth.
8. Ensure new plantings get a good watering.
9. Add mulch 2-3″ deep around the plants, but not in contact with the stems.

Pro Tip: Not taking into account a plant’s size at maturity is probably the number-one mistake homeowners make. Choose dwarf varieties that max out at 2 to 4 feet tall for under windows and other tight spots. Above all, plan before you plant — try enlarging a photo of your house and tracing its outline on paper, then sketch in plants at their full-grown size and shape to help choreograph the layout.

Resources

All of the tools used in this segment can be found at a home center or landscape supplier.

Bulk soil, compost, and mulch can be purchased from a landscape supplier.

Plant varieties will vary by garden center or nursery.

Raised Bed Tip: To get the most from edible foundation plantings, consider adding trellises or obelisk forms to grow vines vertically, giving your beds more dimensionality and maximizing limited space near the house. Perforated plastic mulch can also help retain moisture around plantings, and according to USDA test results, red-colored mulch reflects light that triggers proteins stimulating more vibrant growth in tomatoes and other fruiting plants.

Tools