It started with our tree which was infested with carpenter ants. Now that the tree was going, we had a lot of other plants that were overgrown or simply didn’t fit with our home’s Georgian Colonial style.

Several years ago, George had admired the neighbor’s yard and the next thing I knew, their landscaper was hired and our front lawn resembled a Polynesian resort.  It had to go… and finally it is gone! I had read about the Edible Estate at Descanso Gardens in La Canada. The concept is simply that your front yard shouldn’t be wasted on purely ornamental greenery.  It seemed like a wonderful idea, so I thought in one little patch we could plant lettuce; how ugly could that be? 

After, everything was removed I presented my master plan to the gardener and George.  They both looked at me in horror, I was vetoed.  Nothing on our front lawn will be edible; it will continue to be “wasteful” but at least it will match our home. There is a little bit of side yard where the gardener will plant some lettuce.  If you don’t know me well, you may not be aware that I have three dogs, therefore I can’t have a vegetable garden in the back yard. My back yard is relegated to my upside down tomato grower and I still don’t have a tomato.