Attaining food self-sufficiency through the Edible Landscaping (EL) Technology: Assessing the Promotional Activities of EL in the Philippines, amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

The sustainability of the food supply seems to be a never-ending concern of many households in the Philippines. This concern is most especially felt in this time of pandemic wherein many Filipinos are struggling on where to get their food to feed their families. The adoption of edible landscaping has become more in demand because of the current situation caused by the pandemic. As such, having a sustainable edible garden is very much recommended because it can provide the household a “garden to table” food which can help in making the household food self-sufficient. There is a current need to promote edible landscaping technology primarily through trainings and seminars and it should be intensified to inform and educate the people on food self-sufficiency amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Edible landscaping (EL) as an approach that merges the science of crop production and the art of landscaping, is continuously being promoted using different strategies and one of which is the conduct of trainings and seminars all over the Philippines. This study assessed the different ways by which the Edible Landscaping Team of the University of the Philippines Los Banos delivered promotional activities such as webinars and e-training amidst the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research was conducted using the qualitative approach, specific case studies, and the data gathered were analyzed using thematic analysis. More than 39,000 individuals in the Philippines have already been reached and educated on the technology through the conduct of e-trainings and webinars. The presentations and lectures on edible landscaping were modified based on the needs of the requesting institution and were discussed using a combination of English and Filipino languages. The duration of the eight webinars ranged from a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of almost 5 hours (in discussion is written ‘almost 4 hours). Based on the comments, most of the online viewers gave affirmative responses.

Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles

Maintaining edible landscapes in a way that protects the environment is an important concern for protecting Florida’s water quality. The objective of this new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is to introduce the framework of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles and apply the principles to guide decisions about Best Management Practices (BMPs) for care of edible landscapes. Written by Tiare Silvasy, Lynn Barber, Esen Momol, Tina McIntyre, Tom Wichman, Gail Hansen, Jen Marvin, Terra Freeman, Joseph Sewards, Wendy Wilber, and Jacqlyn Rivas.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep594

The Importance of Edible Landscape in the Cities

The 21st century sustainable city requires the merging of urbanism with sustainable food systems. The challenges industrial food system separates people from their food sources. The design strategies for edible landscape are about re-inviting food back into the city and re-connecting people with their local/regional food system to promote a healthier lifestyle. Edible landscapes are a movement in transition and sprouting up as a response to the slow food movement and living a greener lifestyle. These urban agricultural landscapes are fast becoming iconic media darlings and are demonstrating that they are far more than growing vegetables and fruits on abandoned lots. Edible landscaping is the use of food plants as design features in a landscape. These plants are used both for aesthetic value as well as consumption. Edible landscapes encompass a variety of garden types and scales but do not include food items produced for sale. Edible landscaping is the practical integration of food plants within an ornamental or decorative setting. Using edibles in landscape design can enhance a garden by providing a unique ornamental component with additional health, aesthetic, and economic benefits. In this study; emergence of edible landscape, edible landscape design and maintenance, samples of edible landscape, productive plants, importance of edible landscaping for urban environments have been explained.

Edible Landscaping

Revised! ENH-971, a 3-page fact sheet by Eva C. Worden and Sydney Park Brown, describes a landscaping practice that replaces plants that are strictly ornamental with plants that produce food. Published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, November 2007. ENH971/EP146: Edible Landscaping+ (ufl.edu)