{"product_id":"the-foodscape-revolution-finding-a-better-way-to-make-space-for-food-and-beauty-in-your-garden-by-brie-arthur","title":"The Foodscape Revolution: Finding a Better Way to Make Space for Food and Beauty in Your Garden by Brie Arthur","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is one of those \"especially for now\" kinds of books. For you, for the whole family, for your community. Foodscaping visionary Brie Arthur looks at under-utilized garden spaces around homes or in the landscaped common spaces of planned communities – and she sees places where food can be grown…lots and lots of it. And not in isolated patches, but inter-planted with non-food ornamental plants for year-round beauty. This is a new way of looking at private and public spaces, where aesthetics and function operate together to benefit individuals and entire communities. In The Foodscape Revolution, Arthur presents her status-quo-shaking plan to reinvent the common landscape – in a way that even HOA’s would approve. Call it food gardening “in plain sight,” and having it all. In this entertaining and informative book, you’ll learn which edible and ornamental pairings work best to increase biodiversity, how to situate beds to best utilize natural water and light resources, and most importantly, how to begin an enriched gardening lifestyle that is beneficial, sustainable and empowering. With full-color photos, design plans, simple projects and bountiful tips, The Foodscape Revolution can be life-changing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the Publisher The Foodscape Revolution Planning and Planting the Foodie Fire Pit Foodie fire pits can be as formal or informal as you choose. Unless steep slopes are present where load bearing walls would need to be constructed, no permits or engineering are required. Consider the hardscape materials first: there are many options, from loose gravel to brick or pavers as a foundation. Also, determine how much square footage needs to be devoted to the space by identifying how many seats will circle the pit. Finally, decide how large and what shape it should be and select a complementary, fire-resistant material for construction. Remember, fire needs to breathe in order to burn efficiently. A wider opening and lower profile (24-28\" deep) will allow for proper airflow, which will keep your foodie fire pit aglow for hours. Prepare the Soil Soil prep is important for all gardens, but particularly so if you’re going to plant a hedge of blueberries. They require acidic conditions and moist, loamy soil. If you live in an area with a naturally high soil pH, look for organic soil acidifier products, many of which will include aluminum sulfate. Amend the soil with ground pine bark before planting, and add at least 6” of compost on top of the area where you plan to plant. Plant the Edible \u0026amp; Ornamental Shrub Framework Once the hardscape (fire pit and patio) is complete, start by placing and planting the ornamental and edible shrubs that will be the framework of the garden room. Keep in mind the eventual mature size of the plants. They might be small to start, but they will grow into a hedge. Add Perennial \u0026amp; Seasonal Edibles You’ll have more room for seasonal edibles when you first plant the framework around the foodie fire pit. The shrubs will grow and eventually take over more space in the landscape beds. Until then, groundcovers like sweet potatoes and squash will come in handy to keep the weeds down and make the open mulch space productive. How to Plant a Meadow Step 1 Prepare the soil by amending with organic matter or a topdressing with compost. You’ll need bare soil on which to scatter the seeds. Step 2 Mark planting areas with marking paint to ensure the planting will look attractive and organized. It is also easier to harvest grains when they are planted in blocks or blobs, and marking the areas where I want to plant each type makes it easier to quickly sow the seeds. However, this is an optional step. You can also just go with the flow. Step 3 Sow seed. I sow the seed for the edible meadow one variety at a time. For the winter meadow, I sow the grains such as wheat, oats, barley or rye on the surface of fresh organic matter and rake them in, ensuring good soil contact. On top of the grains I sow flowers and herbs. A good rule of thumb when sowing seeds is to consider the size of the seed. The smaller the seeds, the closer to the surface they need to be sown. For plants such as poppies, larkspur and nigella with dust-like seed, they require light and seasonal freezing and thawing (stratification) to germinate. These are best sown in early winter for spring germination. Groundcovers \u0026amp; Edging Flowering perennials and low-maintenance groundcovers are fantastic! Summer bloomers like phlox, echinacea and rudbeckia mingle perfectly with strawberries as a groundcover. Peanuts, peppers, lettuce and garlic are ideal edging plants to extend the purpose of the space. -Perennials. -Creeping Jenny. -Oregano. -Strawberries (I love the new pink-flowered ever-bearing varieties). -Thyme. -Cool Season. -Arugula. -Garlic. -Kale. -Lettuce. -Onion. -Swiss Chard. -Warm Season. -Basil. -Peanut. -Pepper. -Soybean (for edamame). -Squash. -Sweet Potato. -Zucchini.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"St. Lynn's Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48155671298233,"sku":"1943366187","price":45.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0793\/7871\/0713\/files\/91N15Ab7GTL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1784250369","url":"https:\/\/www.bestbuybook.com\/products\/the-foodscape-revolution-finding-a-better-way-to-make-space-for-food-and-beauty-in-your-garden-by-brie-arthur","provider":"BestBuyBook","version":"1.0","type":"link"}