DA 7 Encourages Planting Vegetables Rather Than Traditional Flower Plants

The Regional Office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Mandaue City has changed the traditional landscaping in its surrounding to edible landscape.

Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) staff Anna Delza S, Barimbao said the switching of old landscape to a new one is aimed to attract attentions to visitors in giving importance the adoption of plants for food for the body, rather than prioritizing plants which are only good for the eyes.

Barimbao said vegetable or edible plants are now planted at the compound of the DA regional office replacing all ornamental and flower plants which were grown for so long in the area.

Barimbao added that DA high ranking officials also encouraged homeowners to practice Vegetable landscaping this time especially those who have wide lawns.

DA7 Regional Field Office Director Angel Enriquez also quoted as saying “it is good to showcase edible landscaping in the office to give idea to people who spend most of their time in their houses and urban dwellers with lawns can actually innovate the design to fit their aesthetic taste”, she said.

Nimfa Davis, agricultural technician and designer of the garden said that edible landscaping is much better than the traditional landscaping which uses unproductive plants.

Davis added that the 25 square-meter area used to be planted with bermuda grass and santan now becomes vegetable farms producing lettuce, upland kangkong, sweet pepper, red alugbati, sweet potato, pechay, lemon grass, ginger and diffirent varieties of oregano plants among others.

Mixing colored edible veggies such as red lettuce and brightly colored peppers can brighten the landscape, according to Davis.

Though edible landscaping requires a full -time worker to take care the plants, Davis said it is a rewarding activity as one gets to harvest fresh vegetables for the family.

Instead of using expensive concrete fences, edible hedges are also a better option for budget tight homeowners.

She said vines, such as bitter gourd, squash and string beans are good choices as edible hedges.

At the same time she invited the public who want to have more ideas on edible landscaping, may visit the DA RFO 7 office at Maguikay, Mandaue City, Cebu to see it personally.