Why Every Small Garden Needs Edible Deciduous Plants
Deciduous plants are incredibly useful for all gardeners for a multitude of reasons but I think small space space gardeners like myself can really benefit from them. I think all gardeners short on space should make room for at least one deciduous plant. This is Why Every Small Garden Needs Edible Deciduous Plants.
Small space gardening
You can grow deciduous plants in all gardens, including small gardens, In fact they offer us a range of benefits.Small space gardeners like me can't afford to waste space. We need to make the most of every inch of surface we can. We do this by only selecting species which are used for more than one purpose. Many deciduous species fit this description of multi-use.
Leaves
One of the reasons deciduous plants are so good in the garden is because they drop their leaves. Leaves are one of the most useful resources in a garden, here are some ways they can be used and benefit you.
Mulching
You can collect and use the leaves that drop off your deciduous plantings as mulch. Leaves are nature's natural mulch system. Deciduous plants allow you to grow your own mulch or at least partially. Purchasing mulch products like sugar cane, lucerne, pea straw, pine bark, wood chips or eucy mulch can all amount to a lof of money, especially if you have to buy them regularly. Not only that, it means you have to rely fully on an external provider. And of course unless you buy in bulk, which is not exactly practical or feasible for those of us with small yards, these products come packaged in plastic.
Carbon for your compost systems
Every gardener can and should be composting at home, no matter your living situation. Composting is an easy way to reduce your waste and carbon footprint. Even those that live in apartments with balconies can still compost with a worm farm. All forms of composting (except bokashi) requires nitrogen and carbon ingredients. In other words they need a mix of nitrogen/greens, usually in the form of green garden waste or kitchen scraps and carbon/browns. Commonly used browns are dead leaves, shredded paper and cardboard. In the coldest months of the year, deciduous trees naturally shed their leaves, thus providing us with the carbon/browns required to keep the balance of our composting operations in working order.You can also collect many of your carbon elements inside your h0me if you know where to look. You can find out more information below:
Leaf mould
Leaf mould is another excellent use of those extra leaves. This is essentially leaves that have broken down naturally. Rake your leaves into a big pile, place them into a cage, put them into a black plastic bag or fill an unused pot. Whatever way you choose to do it, the next step is the same, just wet the pile of leaves fairly regularly and allow them to rot down for between six and 12 months. For more detailed information on what leaf mould is and how you can make it check out a blog post I wrote previously about this here:
Leaf mould is an excellent, water retaining soil amendment perfect for adding to your garden beds, pot plants or as a seed starting mix. It's easy to make, just set and forget then use when it's a crumbly, rainforest smelling, dark compost.
Shade and sun for heating
Deliberate and strategic planting with deciduous trees and vines can aid in temperature control. When deciduous plants lose their leaves in the winter they allow sun to beam through and provide warmth. In the scorching summer time the leaves soften the sun's rays causing a cooling effect.This is really effective for houses on larger blocks but for those of us with small patios and balconies we can still apply this for our own benefit. Plant your sun loving deciduous tree of choice in a sunny position to block some of that harsh summer sun coming into your residence.Deciduous vines are another incredible option and a benefit they have over trees is they will generally grow much quicker than a tree. You can train them to grow along fences, up pergolas and arbours, above window frames and across balcony railings. Vines are highly adaptable and can be moulded to trail along trellises or tied up to poles and arbours with jute webbing or old stockings. I've recently started growing a grape vine up a pole and eventually it should grow atop of an arbour in my courtyard.
Protect your more vulnerable plants
Deciduous trees will also offer some protection to those other plants that are more susceptible to damage from strong winds and hot sun. In the winter when they have lost their leaves they will let that warmth in. In the hotter months they will soak up the majority of the sun and save your weaker plants from heat exhaustion. Vegetables like lettuce, spinach and kale prefer cooler temperatures but can still be grown in summer if protected from the severe heat waves. Using deciduous plants as cover will benefit these tender vegies and many other fragile plants.
Fruits
And of course, another great reason to grow deciduous plants is because the best tasting fruits grow on deciduous trees, vines and shrubs. The purpose of Soulfully Green is to educate others about gardening, particularly growing edible plants in small space gardens. Small space gardeners like myself can grow so much food, and I think that growing perennials and fruit trees are the most rewarding. Under this category includes many fruiting deciduous trees, shrubs and vines. Fruits, berries and nuts are incredibly healthy and are also versatile. Most can be eaten raw, cooked, made into jams, turned into juice, candied, dried, fermented, turned into tea and even infused with alcohol. Please note, most fruiting plants take a couple of years before they start to bear any fruit.
Keep on giving
All edible deciduous trees are multi-purpose plants that just keep on giving each and every year. Edible trees, vines and shrubs are perennials so they continue to live on for many years. That means that year after year they will continue to drop their leaves, shade our houses and delicate plants while also producing tasty foods.
Great edible deciduous plants
Now that I have listed a few good reasons for why every small garden needs edible deciduous plants it's time to offer up some suggestions. The below list is filled with deciduous plants which also bear fruits and berries. The list of foods below are perfectly suited to those with smaller backyards, paved courtyards and balconies. Many of these varieties come in dwarf versions perfect for pots. There are probably many more I could list. If you're not sure what to grow, ask your garden obsessed neighbours, friends and family members for advice on varities that do well in your locale. There are many different varieties suitable for different climates. I also have to admit I am not growing the majority of those I have listed. I have had no first hand experience with them yet but plan to grow many of them.
Trees
- Mulberry*
- Almond
- Apples
- Peaches*
- Nectarines
- Pears
- Plums
- Apricots
- Cherry
- Persimmon
- Pomegranate
- Figs (ficus carica species)
Shrubs
- Currants
- European Gooseberry
Vines
- Grapes*
- Kiwi
- Choko / chayote
- Hops
(* marked are plants I am currently growing at home)I hope I have convinced you of some of the reasons why every small garden needs edible deciduous plants. Good luck in your gardening adventures!If you want to stay up to date with my own gardening adventures you can follow me on Instagram @soulfullygreen and on Youtube here.
