Can a wild yard produce food?

Can you grow food at home and still let your yard run wild?

The answer is yes. Mostly. I say mostly because there are different forms of running wild. If weeds, invasives, pets, pests, and pestilence run rampant in your landscape, none of it will be worth eating.

Your yard can provide a surprising harvest (Kate Russell)

But, if you introduce native plants, use fruit and nut trees as your anchors, and let that lawn evolve back into the meadow it keeps trying to be, you might find that your workload decreases as your peace of mind and harvests improve.

Few of us have the time or energy to manage a large, productive landscape. That’s why so many of us leave it to the farmers. It’s easier that way. But sun-warmed, homegrown tomatoes will always be better than anything mass-produced, as far as I am concerned.

​So, how can we balance the time and effort needed to grow at least some food at home without breaking our backs?

Like the saying says, Work smart, not hard. Use these tips to get the most out of your naturally beautiful and productive yard:

Cherry tomatoes are sweet and highly productive.

1. Identify your USDA Hardiness Zone. Fighting a plant's natural needs is a waste of time.
2. Invest in an inexpensive lab-based soil test. For the price of a bag of fertilizer, a local lab or university can save you hundreds of dollars and years of nutrient imbalances.
3. Learn about local native plants. These plants already know how to thrive in your community. They already have defenses against common pests and diseases. And many of them are edible.
4. Let the lawn go. It was never a good idea outside of the UK. A meadow provides more benefits for little or no effort on your part. Add a stone path and a shaded bench for a charming respite from the modern world. And never mow again.
5. Start adding perennial edibles according to their water needs. Drought-tolerant thyme and rosemary need practically no care but can provide years of fresh herbs. Artichoke plants are visually dramatic and highly productive. Fruit and nut trees produce an astounding amount of food for little effort.
6. Finally, add annual edibles. Install lettuces, spinach, and other greens in semi-shady areas while dedicating your sunniest spots to tomatoes, beans, peppers, and summer and winter squash.

Artichoke plants are dramatic, productive, amd mostly maintenance-free (Kate Russell)

These steps will reduce your workload while providing abundant fresh and delicious homegrown food.

Put your feet up and enjoy the wild!