My Successful Search for Edible Landscaping

When I was decided to embark on a new project - planting edible landscaping - I envisioned our backyard simply teeming with edible plant life. I researched the nutritional benefits of many plants that are edible; fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, and tubers, and decided that Moringa packed the largest amount of nutrients into the smallest serving amount.

Not intending to narrow my "garden" down to one or two edibles, I went on a veritable planting spree. I planted Lychee trees, cranberry hibiscus, chocolate sapote, mamey sapote, peanut butter fruit, honeybell bushes, mango, avocado, and jackfruit. My enthusiasm knew no bounds.

My backyard was teeming with greenery, and then...we had temperatures here in Florida that hit 28°F. Most of my seedlings and young bushes succumbed to the cold. I could have cried!

When all was said and done, and the spring graced us with warmth and sunshine, the only things I had planted that survived, were my Moringa trees!

First of all, I was not born with a green thumb. In the past, every spring I would purchase a lot of plants. I bought marigolds, and petunias, and hyacinths, and packets of flower and vegetable seeds. The potted plants were diligently planted, the seeds were lovingly sown.

Within a matter of weeks, the gorgeous potted plants were showing signs of desertion, and the seeds decided that it really WAS nice and cozy in the ground, so - why poke your heads up into the hot sun? My efforts were futile - I felt frustrated - the entire enterprise was not frugal, and I gave up.

In subsequent years - oh,yes! I did it more than once - the potted plants got so smart, that they took a look at the home they were being taken to, and gave up the ghost right in the car! Needless to say, I was mortified, and had to cancel my speaking engagements at the local garden club.

When I planted my first Moringa seeds - they sprouted! The seedlings grew, and grew, and grew!

Hence, you will understand the first reason listed, below, about why I am so enthusiastic:

1. I can grow Moringa
2. The taste is like no other green leaves I have eaten
3. It is a simple matter to collect enough for several servings
4. The plants stay clean, and the leaves barely need rinsing
5. For the most part, insects leave them alone
6. They grow so fast it is hard to believe
7. The nutrients packed into their little leaves are sufficient to sustain life
8. In just the leaves, all of our 8 essential amino acids exist
9. They do not spread out and choke out other plants
10. In a few months, they put out pods and I have new Moringa seeds

These are merely a few of the reasons that I have a love affair with Moringa. I could write a book or two about it, but some other people have done a great job of that, so I'll just point you in their direction!

If you are simply curious about Moringa, the book that is listed last, should be your choice. I rarely have my own copy around, as I loan it to people to whet their interest.

The first book, is exactly what it says - everything you wanted to know, but didn't know to ask.

The book in the middle, is incredible. It is, to date, the most comprehensive book that has been printed, about the incredible Moringa tree.

Your opinion may differ, but I have growing Moringa, and eating Moringa, and reading about Moringa for years!

I are not affiliated with the company below, that offers Moringa Oleifera seeds, but know theirs have a great germination rate. Despite the fact that I have lots and lots of seeds of my own, we want you to get yours from a different company. We just don't have time to handle all that we already have to do, and their seeds are great.

Store them in your home at room temperature. Moringa seeds are not like most seeds - they will die if they are put in your freezer, and they will not like it at all, in the refrigerator. Nice, dry, room temperatures are what they desire. A good rule of thumb is - are you comfortable? If so, then the seeds will be comfortable, and germinate readily.

Happy planting!

Most of us are quite creative, when it comes to utilizing lettuce, kale, spinach, or other leafy greens. When it comes to Moringa, people usually need some suggestions.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Eating Moringa leaves

Utilizing Moringa leaf powder

The suggestions in the links above are just to get you started. With a bit of imagination, I am sure you can devise some ways to add Moringa to the dishes you already enjoy!