limitation seems to be size. Most plants range in size from tiny flats to ten gallon pots. The foreign sales are shipped soil free and completely dormant, packed in peat moss with certificates guaranteeing their safety. Not to raise alarms, Edible Landscaping uses no genetically modified organisms beyond the modifications that can be obtained through grafting plants. Dwarfism in trees, as well as hardiness and temperance toward potting can all be selected for through the grafting process.


Because all of these wonderful plants are so delicious to people it only follows to question how one would protect them from animals. At Edible Landscaping they use only “friendly” products: Surround, made of kaolin, an external plant protectant, as well as other horticultural oils when appropriate, are used to protect the plants from pests. The other more obvious deterent on the property was found in the form of foul. Chickens and ducks and a friendly dog roam freely at the nursery and protect the plants from insect infestation.


The dog is there for another job. A problem near and dear to my heart is protection from deer. George allowed that deer can be a problem and the only


effective means of deterring them, short of installing two layers of fencing, is a large dog. However, the problem at Edible Landscaping has been protecting the fruit trees from another four-legged menace – bear – who are capable of shredding a tree of its limbs to reach the fruit.


“Each month has its own magic here,” George tempted us. And to stand behind the claim the business hosts festivals throughout the year, inviting visitors to partake of the very literal “fruits of their labor.” The next festival, “All About Fruit Day” will take place in June, featuring lectures, tours, and fruit tastings of those plants that are ready for harvest.


If you’re interested in Edible Landscaping, (the place as well as the products,) you can visit the nursery which operates seven days a week, 9am-5pm. I wanted to leave with a plant of every variety, and toward accomplishing that guests may opt to take advantage of Edible’s Volunteer program. Volunteers to the nursery receive credit in the amount of $10/hour, which seems incredibly generous considering the very reasonable prices. Registration is required. Sales are posted on their website at www.ediblelandscaping.com. But nothing beats a visit to the nursery located at 361 Spirit Ridge Lane in Afton, Virginia.


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