All Edibles

Can an edible lawn pay for itself by saving on the produce you would have normally bought without one?

Yes. The cost benefits depend a lot on the project's scope, but in general, it takes about two to three growing seasons for these gardens to pay for themselves. However, we're providing clients with a nutritious food source, plus the potential to save precious resources: by cutting down on the water needed to sate a thirsty lawn, by using organic compost instead of petroleum-based fertilizers, and by eliminating fuel needed to transport produce from field to table. They also get the opportunity to become more invested in their land and communities because these gardens can open a dialogue with neighbors about sharing produce or swapping seeds for next season's crops. Our clients have never expressed concern about cost and say they are willing to pay more for our services.

All Edibles began with a final, right?

It started about a year and a half ago when Kirk and I were both getting our master's degrees. We decided to use the concept of yard as garden for our final school presentation. As part of the project, we went through the rigorous process of obtaining a business license and then worked on our first edible garden for a friend. The success of this first project launched us into business as All Edibles, a unique landscaping company in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Did your awareness of environmental issues influence the creation of All Edibles?

Absolutely. Having a sustainable lifestyle has always been a huge value in both of our lives. And then you add the fact that Kirk and I were living in a house with three other people who shared the same values, so we were always discussing our activism and ideas on how to evoke the change we wanted to see in the world.

Is All Edibles all organic?

Yes. We only use organic seeds and soil amendments to plant diverse organic gardens, introducing root structures that will add nutrients to soil that has degraded beneath lawns. We source the majority of our plants from City Slicker Farms [a nonprofit nursery that installs gardens for low-income East Bay communities]. Also, all garden waste is composted and added back to the next season's garden, increasing soil nutrients.

Farms that are transitioning to becoming organic need three years of organic practices before they can apply for certification. When you replace a regular suburban lawn that has been treated with chemical pesticides for an undefined number of years, how long would you recommend the homeowner wait before eating their own, home-grown produce?

Our clientele is primarily interested in growing locally and learning gardening skills, rather than achieving organic certification in their yards. That said, as long as clients recognize that their yards are in transition to becoming organic, we would recommend they start eating as soon as food grows, making sure to rinse. In the East Bay, there is great attention paid to the amount of lead in the soil. We always test lead content to make sure the soil we use for edibles is not contaminated.

How else is your landscaping company green?

We utilize technologies such as drip irrigation, shade planting, and proper mulching to ensure that we're conserving as much water as possible. Drip irrigation emits water right at the base of individual plants so that water gets right where it's needed, instead of watering unnecessary spaces. Shade planting refers to strategically placing particular plants in a landscape, so that the leaves of mature plants shade the soil beneath it, preventing sun from evaporating it. Similarly, proper mulching aids in keeping the soil moist below. We also use salvaged materials for planter boxes and other building materials. We source these products mainly from The Reuse People and Urban Ore. And our company truck runs on biodiesel.

Have you experienced any eco-challenges with All Edibles?

It's not always easy to get biodiesel—our service station [Oasis Biofuels in Berkeley] is only open on certain days. If we're in a crunch and can't get biodiesel for a job, we will sometimes run our All Edibles truck on regular fuel. Water conservation is also a challenge since most standard yards aren't already set up for drip irrigation and other methods for recycling water.

What process is involved once a consumer asks All Edibles to create a garden?

We set up free consultation appointments to meet potential clients and look at their spaces. We give them detailed questionnaires to help guide the project and then we prepare a presentation illustrating design and scope. Based on their feedback, we decide on a budget and move into installation phase [typically 4-5 days]. Once we are finished, we give clients a manual with instructions on how to maintain their garden.

I noticed that it's just you and Kirk building these gardens. How did you two get your green thumbs?

My parents have always been avid gardeners, so I grew up helping them out. Kirk and I have also gotten hands-on experience from working on different farms over the past several years.

How many gardens have you created and what types of produce have you been asked to plant?

We created seven gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2007 and we have seven more scheduled for spring 2008. The questionnaires we have our clients fill out prior to beginning a project help us determine what types of produce to plant. On the whole, berries are very popular because they're always the most expensive in stores.

Do you know of any other landscaping services similar to yours?

The only one I can think of is the Seattle Urban Farm Company, but I would suggest inquiring at your local nursery if you're looking for a similar service outside of the Bay Area.

What would you say is your ultimate goal for this company?

In an age of technology and mass production, we feel strongly about reviving the tradition of growing your own food, an idea that has somehow has been lost and forgotten. Concurrently, we believe in maximizing the productivity of urban spaces—turning yards into gardens is a perfect way to accomplish both of these goals.

Do either of you have an eco-sin, something that is a guilty pleasure that you can't give up, even it if isn't green?

Sometimes I get lazy and drive my car to the gym when I should probably jog or ride my bike there instead.