I wanted this book because I wanted to create an attractive, edible garden in my back yard. One that wouldn't look like your typical "vegetable garden". It was an excellent resource. I was really pleased with the advice, the plant lists and the layout suggestions as well as the tips to consider when planning your garden. Lots of beautiful full colour pictures as well. A great find. ( )

The Edible Front Yard describes how to replace boring, needy, thirsty grass with a diverse mix of ornamentals and edibles. It is filled with beautiful photos and lots of design ideas for various regions and climates. There is advice for shade plants and sun plants, how to remove grass without poison and how to prepare the soil for planting.

There is also a section on building codes, restrictions, permits and neighbors who think your plants are weeds. I am not doing anything that grand, maybe a small retaining wall and a trellis or two. Half my grass is staying put, but it’s nice to know how to handle some of those issues.

One of the ideas I did like and will consider is a beautiful trellis with a section of climbing plants. Another are the herbs. Sage comes in many varieties, makes pretty flowers and is hardy in most climates. I’ve been using chives as perennials for many years. They make gorgeous purple flowers. If you live in a warm climate rosemary is also a beautiful shrub and can be used as a hedge. Last year I let my parsley go to seed and it make big white flowers and also attracted many swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. I hope to have many butterflies this year as a result.

I have been pulling out sections of grass in the front and back yards for a few years now and replacing it with native shrubs, clumps of tall grasses and wildflowers. The benefits are many. They are pretty, add diversity and interest, butterflies and humming birds have appeared, they need little water, little maintenance and no chemicals or fertilizer. Until I saw this book I really hadn’t thought of using my herbs and maybe even a veggie or two out front.

If you are looking for ideas to add some edible and pretty plants to your landscaping I recommend this book. ( )