Wolfberry/Goji Berry

Wolfberry, Goji berry, Matrimony Vine, and Gou-gi-zi are all common names for Lycium barbarum.  Wolfberry or Wolf Berry is probably the most well know common name.  Wolfberry has been grown and used in China for centuries.  The berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or juiced and are high in protein and anti-oxidants.  Wolf berries contain all the essential amino acids.  You can find products made with Wolfberries such as juice, skin care, and energy bars.  Also, dried Wolfberries or Goji berries are available from the same site or from your local health food store.

Wolfberry - first year

Wolf berries grow on a vine (or can be pruned to grow as a shrub) which is hardy in zones 3 - 10 and is drought tolerant once established.  Information, plants, and a cookbook are all available from Phoenix Tears Nursery.  Plants can be purchased from Raintree Nursery.  Plants, seeds, and dried fruit can be purchased from Richters.

Wolfberry recipes

If any of you have grown Wolfberries I would love to hear about it so please comment.

Wolfberry in Bloom

Wolfberry Fruit

Second year of growth - Wolfberry flowers and fruit

Hardiness Zones

Hardiness Zones represent areas of average annual minimum temperatures. The USDA has divided the U.S. in to eleven different zones based on the lowest termperature recorded between 1974 and 1986. Other parts of the world also have Hardiness Zone maps.
  

This information is helpful for determining what plants may survive in your area. Hardiness Zones do not take into account rainfall, summer heat, soil type, or other factors but are still helpful when deciding what plants may grow in your area. Other factors such as lack of snow cover and lack of water can affect a plants survivability.
  

Plants are usually labeled with a hardiness zone and/or a minimum temperature to which they will survive. For example English Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Hardiness Zone 5 - 8 is sometimes listed - 30 F instead of by zone.  Spanish Lavender Lavandula dentata has a Hardiness Zone of 8 - 9.  This information is more important than whether a plant is marked as a perennial.  Perennial in what zone?
  

My garden is a zone 6 ( -10 F to 0 F) so I can usually grow plants that can survive in zones 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. If I want to grow a zone 7 plant I may succeed by finding a warmer microclimate in my yard or growing the plant indoors. A microclimate is an area that has a slightly different climate due to wind protection, more shade, more sun, or other factors which create a climate warmer or cooler than the rest of the area.
  

I have been able to grow rosemary by planting it next to the foundation on the south side of my house. The foundation holds and reflects heat back to the rosemary's roots to keep it warmer through the winter.
  

To find your Hardiness Zone

U.S.A.

Other areas of the world
Update March 2012 - the USDA has a new zone map 

Black Currants

My introduction to black currants came in a Small Fruit Production class when the professor brought in a bottle of black currant juice that he had purchased at a German deli. After having a taste I knew I wanted to plant a bush or two.

Black currants (Ribes nigrum) grow on an attractive, easy to care for deciduous shrub which can be used in the landscape in sun to part shade. These shrubs grow 3 – 6' high but can easily be pruned to reduce the height or espaliered. Black currants prefer a somewhat moist but well drained soil.

Currant bushes are related to gooseberries and have a similar appearance but lack the thorns which gooseberry shrubs have. Some black currants have leaves which will turn red in the fall.

Black currant fruits are more commonly used in European countries where they are used for juice, jam, and desserts. The leaves are sometimes used in tea blends.  If you have only a small amount of fruit on a young shrub you can throw a few fruits into a berry or cherry pie.  Dried fruit sometimes labeled as currants are usually the dried fruit of a grape.

Areas of the U.S. with White Pine Blister Rust may prohibit the growing of currants. Check with your local extension agent for information.

Black currant recipes 

More black currant recipes

BTDWWG4SYC9M

Gardening Classes

I will be teaching gardening classes again beginning Tuesday, January 11.  So, if you are in the Northern Utah area check out the schedule on my website to see if there are classes that may be of interest to you.  I also teach for groups so if you have a group and a topic you would like taught just let me know.

Landscape Planning

It is almost the New Year and in spite of whatever the weather may be it is a great time to plan your landscape. 
Planning ahead can help prevent those situations where you bought a plant because you saw it and just have to have it but then don't know where to put it.  Hopefully it will survive  until you find and prepare a spot. 

Make a list of what you think you would like to grow.  Since this blog is about edible landscaping hopefully you have several edible plants on your list.  Trees, shrubs, and perennials can all be edible plants instead of just the typical barberry, potentilla, aspen, or whatever is often grown in your area.  Fruit trees, berry bushes, edible flowers, herbs, and other fruiting and edible foliage plants can be substituted.
Also, make a list of the vegetables, herbs, and other annual plants you would like to grow.  I would recommend beginning with those things you typically eat.  Later you can add what you would like to try.

Next, observe your property and note the sun and/or shade in various parts of your yard.  Consider that when trees are leafed out the sun or shade may be different.  Also, are some areas drier or more damp than others?  Are the some areas that are near downspouts so receive more water? 

Do you know what climate zone you are in?  You can find that information from your local extension service or check the Old Farmer's Almanac site.
The climate zone will help you determine whether the plants you choose will grow outdoors in your area.  If not you may still be able to grow them indoors.

Gift Ideas

Have you thought about giving (or requesting) an edible landscaping related gift for Christmas?
You may give something the receiver would love but had never thought about or didn't know where to get.
Some ideas are gift certificates, plants, seeds, or supplies from a local garden center or an internet based company - maybe one that carries or specializes in edible landscape plants.
Find a local garden center or nursery.
Some of my favorite online companies -
Logees  
Raintree
Richters

Plants that could be grown indoors now include bay tree, scented geraniums, lemongrass, lemon or other citrus fruits, pomegranate, and avocado (if you start it yourself it is not likely to fruit)

You could also give organic gardening supplies, garden tools, books, garden decor, and other garden related gifts.

Some great edible landscaping books.

Rose Scented Geranium (Pelargonium)

Roast Stuffed Pumpkin for Thanksgiving

I have not tried this recipe but it sounds interesting whether or not you are vegetarian.
A Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Cranberry Sauce recipe

Want to try a great cranberry sauce recipe this Thanksgiving or anytime?  Whether you usually like cranberry sauce or not check out this recipe.  Cranberries can be grown in your edible landscape although they will require more work if you don't have acidic soil.
Cranberry Sauce recipe from The World's Healthiest Foods
I substitute one pear for the pineapple.

Edible Landscaping on YouTube

A few of the edible landscaping videos on You Tube:
Edible Estates project
People Trading Their Lawns For Veggie Gardens
Edible Estates on World News Tonight