Guide to Edible Northwest Plants for Your Front and Backyard

Hey there, Seattle! It’s Mr. Lee, your friendly neighborhood landscape contractor, and today we’re going to talk about something super exciting—edible plants for your front and backyard. Yep, you can create a beautiful landscape that not only looks great but also provides delicious, fresh food. So, let’s dive in and talk about how you can turn your yard into a lush, productive garden that fits perfectly into the Pacific Northwest (PNW) climate!

• Photo Credit to Swanons: How to grow garlic

Why Grow Edible Plants in Your Yard?

Let’s face it—Seattle is known for its rain, mild summers, and lush greenery, which makes it a perfect spot for edible gardening. Why settle for just a regular yard when you can grow your own food? Imagine stepping out your front door to grab some fresh herbs for dinner or plucking some ripe berries from the backyard for a snack. Plus, edible plants can be just as attractive as ornamental ones, so your yard can look beautiful and be functional.

Front Yard Edibles vs. Backyard Edibles

You might be thinking, “Edibles in the front yard? Won’t that look messy?” Actually, there are plenty of ways to incorporate edible plants into your front yard that can be both decorative and useful. The backyard can be your more traditional garden space for larger plants and trees, but the front yard can absolutely handle herbs, small fruit trees, and pretty vegetables.

Edible Plants Perfect for the Pacific Northwest

Seattle’s climate is a gardener’s dream, especially for certain fruits, veggies, and herbs. Here’s a list of edibles that thrive here and can add some serious value to your landscaping.

Front Yard Favorites

These plants not only provide food but also look great, making them ideal for your front yard:

1. Blueberries: Not only are blueberry bushes super attractive with their lush green leaves, but they also produce delicious fruit. They love our acidic soil, so they’ll thrive here.
2. Lavender: This is an edible herb that looks stunning. It’s low-maintenance, and those beautiful purple flowers are great for bees. Plus, you can use it in baking or teas.
3. Rosemary: A hardy evergreen herb that grows into a nice shrub. It’s perfect for adding texture and fragrance to your yard, and it’s super handy for cooking.
4. Thyme: Another low-growing herb that works as ground cover. It looks good, smells great, and is perfect for front yard edges or between stepping stones.
5. Strawberries: A great ground cover plant that also produces delicious berries in early summer. They can be ornamental and practical.

Backyard Staples

The backyard is where you can go wild with larger plants and trees:

1. Apple Trees: These are perfect for Seattle’s cooler climate. Plant a dwarf variety for smaller spaces, or go for a full-sized tree if you have the room. Local varieties like Gravenstein do really well.
2. Raspberries: They’re easy to grow and produce loads of fruit. Just give them some space, and they’ll reward you with fresh berries every summer.
3. Kale: A Seattle gardening superstar. Kale loves cool weather, and it looks nice enough to grow alongside flowers.
4. Garlic: Plant garlic in the fall, and it will reward you with flavorful bulbs the following summer. It’s easy to grow and takes up very little space.
5. Figs: Believe it or not, figs can thrive in Seattle. They need a sunny spot and good drainage, but they’re an excellent choice for an edible backyard tree.

Tools You’ll Need

Here’s a quick list of the basic tools you’ll need to get your edible garden started:

• Hand Trowel: For planting small herbs and veggies.
• Garden Hoe: To break up soil and remove weeds.
• Pruners: Essential for keeping your fruit trees and shrubs healthy and productive.
• Compost Bin: Great for creating rich, organic material to feed your plants.
• Mulch: To help your soil retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

How to Get Started

Ready to turn your front and backyard into a mini food forest? Here’s a simple step-by-step process to help you get going:

1. Plan Your Space

First, think about your yard’s layout. The front yard is where you’ll want to keep things tidy, so look for edible plants that can double as decorative. In the backyard, go ahead and dedicate space to larger trees and veggies. Use raised beds if you want a cleaner look or if your soil needs improving.

2. Pick the Right Plants

Choose plants that thrive in Seattle’s climate. Stick with low-maintenance edibles that can handle our cool springs, mild summers, and rainy winters.

3. Prep Your Soil

Seattle’s soil tends to be a bit on the heavier side, so mixing in organic compost can really improve drainage and give your plants the nutrients they need. Edible plants need rich, well-draining soil, so this step is crucial.

4. Water Regularly

We get plenty of rain, but during the drier summer months, you’ll want to make sure your plants are getting enough water. A soaker hose or drip irrigation system works great to avoid over-watering.

5. Keep It Neat

Especially in the front yard, keep things trimmed and tidy. Edible plants can be just as beautiful as decorative ones if you give them a little attention.

Garden Bed & Space Ideas – Lee’s Landscaping

Garden Bed Idea	Description	Best For	Tools Needed	Lee’s Landscaping Services
Raised Garden Bed	A garden bed elevated off the ground, perfect for areas with poor soil. Made with wood, stone, or metal frames.	Vegetables, herbs, flowers	Wood, soil, hammer, nails, level	Soil preparation, frame installation, filling with compost and soil mix
Container Gardens	Use containers or pots to grow plants. Ideal for small spaces like patios or balconies.	Small vegetables, herbs, and flowers	Planters, potting soil, watering can	Pot selection, soil mixing, drainage setup
In-Ground Bed	A traditional garden bed dug directly into the soil, perfect for larger spaces.	Vegetables, fruit bushes, flowers	Shovel, rake, compost	Soil testing, weed removal, compost and mulch application
Vertical Gardens	Grow plants upwards on a structure like a trellis or wall to maximize small space areas.	Climbing plants, herbs, strawberries	Trellis, hooks, containers, potting soil	Trellis installation, vertical garden design, soil and plant setup
Keyhole Garden	A circular raised bed with a composting basket in the center. It conserves water and creates nutrient-rich soil.	Vegetables and herbs	Bricks/stones, compost bin, garden soil	Composting setup, raised bed construction, soil enhancement

Best Practices for a Successful Edible Garden

Here are a few key tips to make sure your edible garden thrives:

• Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: It keeps the soil moist and cuts down on weeds. Plus, it looks good.
• Prune Fruit Trees: Pruning helps them stay healthy and produce more fruit.
• Companion Planting: Pair plants that help each other grow. For example, planting basil near tomatoes can actually improve flavor and growth.
• Rotate Crops: Don’t plant the same veggies in the same spot year after year. Rotating helps prevent soil depletion and pest issues.

Common Challenges (and How to Fix Them)

• Slugs: Yep, they love our wet Seattle climate. A natural way to deal with them is to sprinkle crushed eggshells or use diatomaceous earth around your plants.
• Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease can hit some plants, especially if they don’t get enough airflow. Space your plants properly and remove affected leaves to control it.
• Pests: Try to use organic pest controls, like neem oil, or encourage beneficial insects, like ladybugs, to help keep the bad bugs in check.

Wrapping It Up

An edible garden doesn’t have to be limited to your backyard. By choosing the right plants, you can create a front yard that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. Whether it’s rosemary and lavender lining your walkways or blueberries and apple trees providing shade and snacks in the backyard, there’s no shortage of possibilities here in Seattle.

If you’re thinking of starting your own edible garden but don’t know where to begin, I’m here to help! Let’s make your yard productive and gorgeous. Happy planting!

Summary Notes

• Seattle Climate: Great for growing edible plants in front and backyards.
• Edible Front Yard Plants: Blueberries, lavender, rosemary, thyme, strawberries.
• Edible Backyard Plants: Apple trees, raspberries, kale, garlic, fig trees.
• Essential Tools: Hand trowel, garden hoe, pruners, compost bin, mulch.
• Best Practices: Mulch for moisture and weed control, prune fruit trees, water regularly, use companion planting.
• Common Issues: Slugs, powdery mildew, pests.