Urban homesteading question

[mommy4ever]

I came across a neat site on urban farming/homesteading. This was a sample of what a typical city lot could have.

Can some one more versed in what these all are tell me what once could expect as a crop from this?

A Sample Edible Landscape for a Typical Urban Yard
Urban yards vary widely in their size, lay-out, sun exposure, and soil conditions. Regardless of these variables, however, edible species can be integrated into any urban yard. The following example assumes a modest lot size of 4000 square feet (372 square meters) and a combined house and garage footprint of 2000 square feet (186 square meters). In order to maximize available space, the following plantings represent a variety of heights and sun needs and include both annuals and perennials:
• (1) Apple tree (late season and good keeping) on a standard root stock (tall growing), planted as a shade tree on south side of house.
• (1) Apple tree (early season) on dwarf or semi-dwarf root stock, (2) Pear trees (“Early gold’ and ‘Golden spice’) on semi-dwarf or dwarf root stock and, (2) Plum trees on semi-dwarf or dwarf root stock grown as an “espalier” along a fence line or a narrow space between the garage and sidewalk or house and sidewalk (requires approximately 25 linear feet/7.5 meters).
• (3) Romance Series Cherry shrubs (‘Romeo’, ‘Crimson Passion’ and ‘Valentine’) and (3) Honeyberry shrubs planted along the edge of a deck or patio.
• (8 -12) Saskatoon bushes planted as a tall hedge in front yard or along back lane (requires 24-36 linear feet/7.5- 11 meters).
• (1) hardy grape planted on the south facing garage or house wall with a trellis for support.
• (3) hardy kiwi vines (1 male and 2 female) planted on an arbor, chain link fence or trellis on the east side of the house (partially shaded).
• (1) black currant, (1) red currant, (1) native golden currant, (1) josta berry and (1) highbush cranberry planted in a partially shaded, moist location on the NE or NW side of the property in a mulched bed with oyster mushroom spawn seeded into the mulch.
• 200-400 square feet (18.5 – 37 square meters) of perennial beds with a mix of edible and ornamental flowers and edible perennials such as rhubarb, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, and edible perennial greens such as sorrel, loveage, sweet Cicely, salad burnett, good king Henry and bloody dock.
• 200-400 square feet (18.5 – 37 square meters) of annual “no-till” vegetable gardening space designed in permanent curved beds, 3-4 feet (1 meter) wide with good sun exposure and good access from the kitchen, including vertical growers such as pole beans and peas.
• A raised “herb spiral” garden with culinary, tea, and medicinal herbs, lined with stone with good access from the kitchen and good viewing from the sitting area (approximately 36 square feet/3.5 square meters).
• A raspberry patch located in a contained area ( i.e. along the alley, between the garage and walkway, etc.).
• Edible ground covers (wild and domestic strawberry, creeping thyme, Roman chamomile, mints, lemon balm, etc.) planted as an under-story beneath trees and shrubs, along walkways and in small spaces between structures.
• Small cold-frame (i.e. 3’ x 4’) made from used windows or clear plastic on south side of house or garage for extending the growing season.
• Assorted pots located near the back door containing frequently used herbs, salad greens, tomatoes, and flowers.

These plantings assume the zone 3 conditions of central and southern Alberta. For more information on any of these plant species, see Edible Plants for the Alberta Landscape.

[mommy4ever]

I thought this was a very cool idea. Especially since in the winter we need the space for piling show. Grow it in the spring!

[Missy]

That corn row is super cool. I am planting some as a "fence" of sorts in one area to block morning sun from glaring right into my office window.

As far as your question...it would depend on the plants themselves. One of my currants puts out maybe a ounce or two of fruit. the other I measure in pints.

My family's apple tree puts out at least a bushel each year. But, they are in MN. My trees are so young still, i don't know what they will do.

My raspberries are very prolific. One bush (Fall gold) is very giving. I can get a few pints at a time from it.

[Ciamak1020]

What website was that?

[mommy4ever]

I'd love to accomplish this with our yard

With the right knowledge alot is possible. This guy cutivates from his city lot, and actually sells at the farmers market.... LIVING IN THE CITY. So it can be done.

I have an apple tree, alothough I'm not expecting much from it this year..lol. did a pruning to it. the last three years has produced 20 to 30 gallons of apples (3 to 4 bushels). This year if I get 1 gallon I'll be surprised..lol. That's ok, the tree was splitting it was heavily laden with fruit. Raspberries? well, I get a handful, only have a few live canes this year, I'm digging them out. Strawberries? just a few berries. I can't get them to produce. I'm digging them all up this year,and moving a few plants into planters and see what happens. They aren't doing well. My 2 rhubarb plants do great, 2 or 3 gallons once cut and sliced up.

But I'd like other things.

We cut down our front yard pine. The neighbor is goign to pull out the trunks for us. In it's place I'm going to do an early bearing apple tree. It will give us shade in the summer, sun in the winter and fruit as well(eventually).

I'm thinking of adding grapes in the front yard. We have an over hang where nothing grows, that we'll be putting rock in. But in front of that, I'd like to dig up some lawn and put up some trellis and plant grape finds there. Nice and sunny and warm.

Next year...I'd like to try and convince dh to dig out the shrubs we have and replace with fruit bushes of some kind. That or corn..lol. It would look cool all summer once it sprouts.

[Persimmon Lace]

We are replacing the trees that were taken out by the ice storms with fruit trees. Our landscaping is becoming more edible every year. I don't think my yard will ever look like some of the one on these websites but I raise blackberries, have 2 raspberry bushes, an apple, dwark peach, pear and fig trees. We have close to a 1/2 acre and I want to utilize as much as possible for our own food.

[Missy]

There's a site...one trowel revolution I think. The guy lives in LA I think...he and his kids put out a ton of food off of their small partial acre lot. Jules something is hisn name...Jervases I think. Something like that. Google around and you'll find him. He's quite an inspiration.

[Thevail]

We decided when we got the place two years ago that if we plant it it's either a rose or edible..and we've even got some of the roses that produce edible hips

[Persimmon Lace]

www.pathtofreedom.com is the Path to Freedom site and it is awesome what they do on a small piece of land in Pasadena of all places!

[Missy]

[ame="http://www.homesteadgarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5652"]What's growing in your Spring vege gardens? - Homestead Garden Forums[/ame] this is what i have right now... post numbers six and seven i think.

[Missy]

www.pathtofreedom.com is the Path to Freedom site and it is awesome what they do on a small piece of land in Pasadena of all places!

That's the guy! He's a great inspiration. I had LA in my mind, but it's Pascedena. (sp??)