skip to main content

Edible Landscape

Dallas/Fort Worth Area Perennial Edibles

11 years ago

Hello All!

I'm kind of new to this whole edible landscape thing, and I was wondering if anyone in the North Fort Worth area had experience with the whole planting food concept. I have a brown turkey fig planted recently, and I am thinking about planting a plum tree on the edge of my Red oak shade, but I was wondering about possible shrubs and self-seeders to put in my yard.

Also, I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the honey mesquite? According to the research I've done so far it is a native to the area, and I have interest in the edible pods that it is supposed to have in large quantities.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Brad Edwards
11 years ago
I know blueberries and many varities of grape, especially muscadines, do well in our area. If you have room a lot of people have pecan tress. I also think peaches grow well here even some apples can be grown but I wouldn't totally recommend them. Thornless blackberry and rasberry also grow well in our native soil, just some food for thought :)
phasv2
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Ocean Dweller! I would LOVE to plant pecan, but, unfortunately, I have a fairly small yard, and I already have large Red Oak, a fair sized Cypress, and a starter Fig, so any more trees I plant will have to be small to medium sized. I am pretty interested in planting grapes of some kind, and I do enjoy muscadine jelly, so that sounds like a great option!
I was under the impression that the soil around Fort Worth was to base for the acid loving blueberries and blackberries...Maybe I just need to do a soil test to find out exactly what my I can plant around here. :-)

Thanks for the help!
Related Discussions
Finding Wild Asclepias in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area
Q
Comments (1)
Where is home? Its a bit early to find milkweed growing right now. Later in the growing season, look in a moist ditch line that hasn't been mowed or the back slope of roadways. (for common milkweed) A. Tuberosa perfers dryer conditions than common milkweed (a. syriaca). You can buy a. Tuberosa online from Prairie Nursery.
...See More
Help creating privacy screen; Dallas/Fort Worth Area
Q
Comments (31)
Usually, ready-made lattice looks super cheap and tacky. There are exceptions which usually require some sort of heavy framework & tasteful decorate details. Beefier custom lattice -- also with good details -- has the potential to look much better. It would be very unlikely for vines to just die unless they are being given NO care at all or being treated badly. If one vine in a section dies, then adjacent vines can move in quickly to cover the bare spot. I didn't mention, but since a perennial vine can take a little time to cover solid, annual vines are useful in the meanwhile to provide quick (6 weeks) solid cover. I have had great luck with moonflower vine on this count. Heavenly Blue Morning glories can be used and look great but they tend to hang toward the top and leave the bottom bare. Don't use any temporary vine that reseeds itself. 'Grandpa Ott' morning glory is like this and is the weediest damn thing ... still sprouting 4 years after the original was killed.
...See More
Seeking Recommendations for Good Fabrictors in Dallas-Fort Worth Area
Q
Comments (2)
Heritage Stonecraft, or if interested in solid Surface, Classic Countertops in Garland. You can Google them both,
...See More
Seeking Recommendations for Good Fabrictors in Dallas-Fort Worth Area
Q
Comments (3)
We are also getting ready to put in new kitchen and bathroom counters, but we have pretty much decided to go with recycled glass counters. There are two companies/brands we are considering -- Vetrazzo and IceStone. Both will be able to direct you to certified fabricators in your area.
...See More
Brad Edwards
11 years ago
phasv2, You should definitely do a soil test, Auburn and A&M have very good facilities should you decide to use one. They will even tell you what to use to fix problems if they find them.

Have you been to any of the wineries in our area? They are popping up all over the place and offer a ton of great ideas.

I know that asparagus given the right soil will do well here, and artichokes are okay as well, both being perennial. You might also look into strawberries as you can get 3-4 years out of them, but rarely a 1st year do they produce in the home garden.

Not to mention, nearly all of this can be implemented into a home landscape. If you go with some blueberries, try for 6 bushes if you have room all different varieties, from 2 early, 2 mid, and 2 late season that way you can have them all spring through summer. Or you could just get to early, 2 mid, or two late complimenting varieties. Personally I like Austin, Tifblue, and Oneill. I am planning on planting about 25 soon on our land when we get the well done, I am going to do to southern lowbush, the rest will be rabbiteye and will be planting them like that to get a consistent crop. You might want to look into things that attract bees for bluberry cross pollination to increase yeilds if you go this route.

Related Stories

SALVAGE Reinvent It: An Eclectic Texas Garden Grows From Creative Salvaging

By Becky Harris

Teardown pieces and upcycled finds turn a next-door lot into a garden brimming with vegetables and originality

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's May Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Be especially water wise this month as you sow seeds, tend to your lawn and plant edibles, grasses and flowers

INSIDE HOUZZ There’s a Party in the Backyard, Says a Houzz Landscaping Survey

By Mitchell Parker

Entertaining, growing edibles and solving problems are goals for homeowners planning to revamp their yards

SPRING GARDENING Summer Crops: How to Grow Strawberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pluck your own sweet strawberries right from the garden vine for smoothies, salads or eating then and there

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Cultivate a Young Gardener

By Alison Hodgson

Want your kids to eat their vegetables? Let them have an edible garden of their own. Here are some tips on gardening with children

HERBS Herb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Zesty Lemongrass

By Marianne Lipanovich

Add lemony goodness to cooking and tropical flavor to your yard with this grass-like herb native to Southeast Asia

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener: What to Do in June

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Don't be discouraged by the dry summer heat — hardy plants, container gardens and smart watering can help landscapes thrive

0

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden

By June Scott Design

New project for a new year: Lose the turfgrass for energy savings, wildlife friendliness and lower maintenance

SAVING WATER Xeriscape Gardens: How to Get a Beautiful Landscape With Less Water

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Conserve water and make gardening much easier with the xeriscape approach’s 7 principles

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

Sponsored

Nova Design Build

Custom Premiere Design-Build Contractor | Hilliard, OH