Transform your backyard into a productive oasis that nourishes both body and soul by seamlessly blending edible gardens into your existing Ankeny landscaping. Lark Landscape specializes in designing edible landscapes that marry functional food production with stunning visual aesthetics, creating gardens that are as beautiful as they are bountiful. Our approach moves beyond traditional vegetable plots hidden in back corners, instead integrating harvest-ready plantings throughout the landscape where ornamental and edible species complement each other in sophisticated design compositions.
Consider the visual impact of blueberry shrubs planted along curved walkways, their spring flowers transitioning to summer fruit and brilliant fall foliage. Swiss chard and kale can be interplanted with ornamental cabbage in decorative containers, creating stunning color displays while providing fresh greens for the kitchen. Grapevines trained on custom pergolas serve dual purposes—providing cooling shade for patios while producing clusters of fruit for fresh eating or wine making. Herb spirals constructed from natural stone create vertical growing space for culinary herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, while their aromatic foliage adds sensory appeal to seating areas.
Our soil specialists conduct comprehensive testing and amend beds with organic materials including aged compost, well-rotted manure, biochar for carbon sequestration, and specialized mycorrhizal inoculants to optimize fertility, drainage, and beneficial microbial activity. Proper soil preparation is crucial for both ornamental and edible plant health, ensuring robust growth and maximum harvest yields. Precision drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to root zones, reducing waste while preventing foliar diseases common in overhead watering systems.
Seasonal rotation planning ensures continuous harvest opportunities and visual interest throughout the growing season. Early spring brings fresh rhubarb shoots and tender lettuce, while summer provides an abundance of tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Fall harvests include root vegetables, winter squashes, and late-season greens that can extend production into early winter with simple cold frames or row covers. Integrated pest management strategies utilize beneficial insect habitat, companion planting techniques, and organic control methods to maintain healthy, productive plants without compromising landscape aesthetics. Explore our comprehensive edible landscape portfolio, seasonal planting calendars, and harvest planning guides on our Ankeny landscaping page to begin your journey toward backyard-to-table living.