11/26/2025
We've had an unseasonably wet and warm fall (...until today, that is. hello snow!) I saw a lacewing in my garden just a few days ago, which made me start thinking about the beautiful and delicious landscapes to create for next year. 🌿🥕 Edible Landscaping + BETTER Pests? Yes, Please! 🐞🍓
One of my favorite ways to maximize a yard’s beauty and productivity is through edible landscaping—think raspberry hedges, herb borders, espalier fruit trees, and gorgeous veggie beds woven right into your garden design. But the real magic happens when we pair it with Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Instead of relying on chemicals, IPM focuses on creating a healthy, balanced ecosystem where pests stay in check naturally. A few simple strategies:
✅ Plant diversity: herbs like basil, dill, and thyme attract beneficial insects
✅ Companion planting: marigolds + tomatoes = fewer pests and happier plants
✅ Healthy soil = stronger, more resilient crops
✅ Encourage allies like ladybugs, lacewings, birds, and bees
✅ Monitor, observe, and treat only when needed
The result?
🍅 more food
💧 less water + chemical use
🌸 more beauty
🐝 more pollinators
🌎 a healthier, more resilient landscape
If you’ve been curious about adding edible elements to your yard—or making your garden work smarter, not harder—I’d love to help you explore the possibilities!
What edible plants are you growing this year? 👇🌿
(Photo by Jill Cockerham, NC Cooperative Extension)
