Edible Garden Design

Now, this is my favourite part - designing edible gardens. I live rurally here in New Zealand with my two young sons, and over the past three years, I’ve been slowly building up our own edible garden area. There’s honestly nothing I love more than watching my boys wander outside to pick fresh berries in the summer or grab ripe fruit straight off the trees. It’s a simple joy but one that nourishes not just their bodies, but our whole family’s connection to the land.

For me, edible garden design isn’t just about growing food. It’s about weaving life, learning, and sustainability into the very fabric of outdoor spaces. It’s about creating gardens that are productive, beautiful, and deeply connected to place - gardens that support wellbeing for both people and the environment. I truly believe every landscape design should include some kind of edible element, no matter the scale.

Why Edible Gardens Matter

We live in a world where convenience often means food is disconnected from its source.
Designing edible gardens brings that connection back home. When you can walk outside and
pick your own fresh fruit, herbs, or veggies, it changes how you relate to your food and the seasons.
It’s empowering, joyful, and honestly good for the soul. Nourishing the land to nourish our bodies is a
huge motivation for my work. I love working with clients to find ways to incorporate edibles that
suit their lifestyle and site - whether that’s a few herbs tucked into a sunny courtyard,
a lush vegetable patch, or fruit trees that provide shade as well as fresh produce.

My Approach to Edible Garden Design

Every edible garden I design starts with understanding how you live and what you want to grow.

Are you keen to grow your own salad greens and herbs? Or do you dream of fresh fruit for summer pies and jams?
Maybe you want to create a space where the kids can learn about food and nature hands-on.

Whatever your goals, I work with you to create a garden that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Because I’m a parent and gardener myself, I know the importance of making edible gardens both productive and practical.
I consider factors like how much maintenance you want to take on, how much sun your site gets, and how to
design for year-round interest and harvest. I also look for ways to make edible gardens visually appealing -
so they’re not just functional but also a beautiful part of your landscape.

The Benefits of Incorporating Edibles

Edible gardens offer so much more than just food. They provide habitat for beneficial insects and birds,

improve soil health, and increase biodiversity. Incorporating edibles encourages a seasonal rhythm to

your garden and your life - you learn to work with nature rather than against it.

Plus, kids love edible gardens! I’ve seen firsthand how having fruit and veggies within
easy reach encourages my sons to eat more fresh food and learn about where it comes from.
It creates opportunities for family moments, outdoor play, and learning that can last a lifetime.

Practical Tips From My Own Garden

Over the years, I’ve learnt a few things growing my own edible garden that I bring into every project:

Start small and build over time - Like my own garden, a productive edible space
grows and evolves. You don’t have to do it all at once.
Choose plants suited to your site - In Wellington’s climate, hardy native edibles and fruit
trees that cope with wind and clay soil often do best.
Mix function with form - Fruit trees can provide shelter, raised beds can define spaces,
and herbs add fragrance and colour to pathways.
Think about harvest and use - Make sure plants are accessible and easy to
pick, especially if kids will be helping.
Feed your soil - Healthy soil is the foundation of any garden - I always incorporate
compost, mulch, and organic matter to keep plants thriving.
Most importantly – Commit to what you can realistically manage. In my first year, I trialled all sorts
of plants through summer and winter, but it took me a couple of years to realise winter crops
didn’t fit with my lifestyle. Now, each winter I cover the garden with a mustard crop to feed the
soil and focus on recharging the garden. With a young family and a busy business, I need to
concentrate my effort on what matters most - the summer growing season.
I’ll get to winter crops one day, but for now, this works best for me.

Making It Yours

An edible garden doesn’t have to be a massive veg patch to be effective.
Sometimes it’s as simple as a few lemon trees in pots, a berry hedge along a boundary,
or a mix of salad greens growing alongside ornamental plants. I love helping clients find creative,
realistic ways to include edibles that fit their space and goals.

At the end of the day, the best edible garden is one that brings you joy and nourishes your
family - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Designing these spaces is a privilege and a passion for me,
and I’d love to help you create one that feels like home.