Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[Leahs Mom]

I've read that holly is poison also.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm going toward planting things that any animal can eat and not be harmed.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@oldhenlikesdogs
Do you have an eye for "foundation" landscape design? Meaning plantings around the house - particularly the front?

I'm about ready to go out and find someone to do a landscaping layout for my front but I want to include as many edibles as I can without making it a lot of work.

We just tore out old yews - partially because they were old and hadn't been pruned back properly for years, and partly because they are poison to animals/livestock and I don't want to keep them even though I like their foliage.

I'm thinking I might use some low-growing Junipers mixed in so that there is at least something green for the winter. Possibly some lingonberry as lower ground cover, but everything needs to be mapped out. It's mostly shade which makes things tricky.

We try not to plant thick around the house because it can harbor rodents, and snakes. So around our house we mostly have shrubs planted a good distance apart.

I do have one bed in the front of the house. I'm a fan of things that get cut down in the fall, and cleaned up so nothing can winter over in them.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I love that look. I do see you have a couple of trees there.

I've actually considered planting my dwarf cherry bushes in the front landscaping but there might not be enough sun for them during the summer as there are 2 large crimson maples planted out in the yard that cause a lot of shade. Coupled with the fact that the front is north, it makes it hard.

I could definitely love the perennials!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't think I have one cohesive photo that shows it all currently.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I love that look. I do see you have a couple of trees there.

I've actually considered planting my dwarf cherry bushes in the front landscaping but there might not be enough sun for them during the summer as there are 2 large crimson maples planted out in the yard that cause a lot of shade. Coupled with the fact that the front is north, it makes it hard.

I could definitely love the perennials!

The plant close to the deck is a lilac that I tree up. There's also another lilac to the left. They are both old and have been here since the beginning. We built our porch deck around the one, as we didn't want to remove it.

The other trees are birches planted where a massive willow once stood.

 

[cavemanrich]

I planted flowering trees when I cut down undesired weed trees like Chinese Elm, and Ailanthus AKA Tree of Heaven. The elm trees got infested with some kind of little insect about 10 years ago, and all the trees in the area affected. No way to control. The ailanthus, well it is a weak wood tree that has an unpleasant odor as well. Will take over growth BTW. Only good for areas where growing trees is difficult.
I have crabapple, and Hawthorn, as well as other. I know that crabapple is eatable, since I used to eat those lil apples in the park as a lil boy. Also have a mulberry tree. It is prolific. Eatable, but not everyone likes the flavor. I do.

Red Crabapple in bloom.

Scarlet Haw in bloom.

Another Crabapple. This one was called Golden. The apples are color of Golden Delicious.

These are pix from last year. Cant wait until they start to bloom this spring.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I planted flowering trees when I cut down undesired weed trees like Chinese Elm, and Ailanthus AKA Tree of Heaven. The elm trees got infested with some kind of little insect about 10 years ago, and all the trees in the area affected. No way to control. The ailanthus, well it is a weak wood tree that has an unpleasant odor as well. Will take over growth BTW. Only good for areas where growing trees is difficult.
I have crabapple, and Hawthorn, as well as other. I know that crabapple is eatable, since I used to eat those lil apples in the park as a lil boy. Also have a mulberry tree. It is prolific. Eatable, but not everyone likes the flavor. I do. View attachment 1360473
Red Crabapple in bloom.
View attachment 1360496
Scarlet Haw in bloom.
View attachment 1360497
Another Crabapple. This one was called Golden. The apples are color of Golden Delicious.
View attachment 1360500
These are pix from last year. Cant wait until they start to bloom this spring.

I love crabapples, yours are nice looking, especially that last one.

 

[Leahs Mom]

You definitely can eat the crab apples. Crab apple jelly is supposed to be pretty good! I have the book: Backyard Foraging This is what it says about crab apples:

-You can eat them raw if you have one with good texture
-Pickle them seasoned with cinnamon (Great side dish with pork and chicken.)
-Superb jelly and/or wine that's reminiscent of port
Cooking completely obliterates any mealiness making them perfect for:
-tarts
-cakes
-pies
-applesauce

 

[Leahs Mom]

I also have the book: Edible Landscaping

There are a lot of beautiful photos and ideas in there. I guess I need to get my books out and try to figure out a plan.