Landscaping with Fruit

This is one of the most fantastic books I have thus far added to my permaculture library. Beautiful photos, stellar information, and buckets of inspiration! As a sustainably-minded land owning family just in the first stages of our permaculture/forest garden designing, this book is immensely helpful in selecting the fruit plants that will provide for us for years (and lifetimes!) to come! The beginning of the book is a lovely treatise on design, and the rest of the book offers a beautiful description of each plant, including the plant's USDA Cold Hardiness Zones and AHS Heat Zones, in addition to information regarding the general hardiness of the plants, what care (if any) they might require and whether or not this care is 'by personal preference' or 'necessary to the survival/thriving of the plant,' and what types of soil and conditions the plants can withstand. The flavors of the fruits are also described and rated - a helpful feature for those of us who have not sampled all of the varieties contained therein - in addition to the yield one might expect per plant. The design features of each fruit plant are discussed as well, including any striking design elements of a particular plant, such as bright fall foliage and flower color. Also are listed the different varieties of each fruit plant, some of which are adapted to wider or smaller climate ranges - very helpful for the harsh, high mountain region in which my family resides. I have nothing but praise to give for this book - I have already ordered several of his other books to add to my library!

Growing your own vegetables and fruits has come back into favor in the last year thanks to the bad economy. Instead of focusing primarily on beauty in the landscape a lot of folks went in a new direction and began planting with the idea of growing food. As the author notes in the introduction, one can plant fruit producing plants that also provide beauty in the landscape. After the introduction, the book is essentially divided into two parts though that organization is never expressly stated by the author. The first half of the book is all about the technical details. The second half is all about the various plants. Of course, various plants are discussed and there are photographs of them in the first section, but the overriding material is regarding landscape design and placement of the plants as well as how to maintain them. The first chapter covers "Landscape Design Basics." As implied by the title, it is how to figure out how one yard looks better that another(and not just because everything is alive and thriving), how to figure out what you have, what you want, how to use different plants to achieve different goals, etc. "Considerations In Planting" follows with topics on weather, your local soil, types of sunlight in your area, etc. This leads directly into the chapter titled "Growing The Plants." Spending money and effort on planting is doomed to failure if you don't know what will grow best, how to care for your soil, prune and protect against pests of all types, among other topics. Various plans for several different layouts are found in the next section titled "Home Landscape Plans." Starting on page 61, you are led through "A Patio Fruitscape," and "A Modular Backyard" and a very neat design for "A Children's Garden" (which also appeals to adults as a retreat) and many others. Starting on page 73 is the "Guide To Fruiting Landscape Plants." The plants were selected for landscaping in temperate climates which the author interestingly defines as "... having distinct winter and summer seasons." (P.73) After an overview table listing the name of the plant, what it usually produces in terms of quantity, zones it lives in according to USDA and AHS, landscape use, prominent ornamental qualities, ( types of bloom, leaf, color, etc.) among other categories, the book moves into very detailed descriptions of the plants. Along with much of the info listed in the chart being repeated here there are photographs of the plants and plenty of growing tips. Nearly forty plants are listed and include several varieties of cherries, currants, kiwi fruit, pear and others. There are also suggestions for fruit trees in pots using various types of citrus, as well as fig, kumquat, and others. A list of suppliers, reading resources, zone maps and eleven page index bring this very helpful book to a close. Despite the photographed lusciousness of many of the plants in the book, which would indicate a heavy need of water, many plants such as the "Rus

Fruit trees, shrubs and vines bring year-round beauty to the landscape and organic fruits to a kitchen. Here's advice on choosing the perfect places for such plants, selecting for three-season visual interest as well as fruit choices, and offering plans for five such planned landscape gardens. A fine survey presents some 39 fruits.

Bring the local food movement to your own backyard with Lee Reich's Landscaping with Fruit. This comprehensive guidebook will aid any aspiring fruit gardener in their quest for juicy peaches or bursting blueberries. Likewise, it will help experienced gardeners improve their edible landscape. Covering three main concepts: 1) edible landscaping ideas and considerations, 2) plant care and organic maintenance, and 3) specific instructions for each of 39 recommended fruits, unlike other landscape books designed with fancier photos than practical guidance, Landscaping with Fruit is a book you're sure to reference frequently. It's written for gardeners by someone utterly devoted to gardening himself. In fact, Reich's experience includes soil and plant research for the USDA and Cornell University. Based on years of experience, Reich provides his own rating system for selecting landscape fruits that combine flavor, ease of care, and beauty to create what he calls "luscious landscaping." You'll learn about pruning, planting, and plucking, plus you'll find design plans, guided illustrations, and climate considerations. Importantly, you'll feel empowered to practice what you learn. Any gardener interested in harvesting the literal fruits of their labor will enjoy this well-researched, well-written, inspiring book. Reviewed by Amber K. Stott