Homestead Hack: Dual-Purpose Plants Growing In Landscape Planters

by Texas Homesteader ~ 

I have several planters on my front porch that greet our guests with beautiful lush growing plants. But the beauty you’re enjoying need not be just for the eyes. 

Check out today’s Homestead Hack for dual-purpose plants.

Homestead Hack to make life simpler. #TexasHomesteader

I love to grow things. But although I do have a few flowers growing around our home my first love is to grow food.

My dad always said, “It’s great to have a shade tree but it might as well give you something to eat too!”  Good advice, dad.

Some edibles also have beautiful foliage.  For instance, who wouldn’t agree that this blooming sage isn’t breathtaking?

It grows bigger and bigger every year. I swear it’s turned into a regular showpiece plant. And each year I’m able to Harvest & Dry lots of that fresh sage. I haven’t had to buy dried sage in years!

Blooming Sage. Love to have decorative pots planted on your porch? Your beautiful planters can serve a dual purpose - Check out this Homestead Hack! #TexasHomesteader

On the front porch I have a footed concrete planter growing potatoes. Although the pot is small & I have no idea whether or not it will actually produce tiny potatoes, I love the bold heavy foliage that it displays.

And the possibility for something edible is a bonus.

(Note: Some links in this post will take you to other related articles for further information. But links preceded with * are affiliate links. If you click and buy something I could receive a tiny commission.)

In this other concrete footed planter I’ve planted thyme.  I’ve added a *watering spike so I can place a repurposed bottle filled with water on top of the spike & it keeps the plant watered.

Thyme planted in cement footed planter with repurposed water bottle watering system. #TexasHomesteader

Another planter contains mint. I love to snip leaves to drop into my iced tea. Mint is a very hearty plant that grows well and is also bright green and beautiful.

Bright green mint plant in a galvanized metal ring placed in landscaped bed. #TexasHomesteader

I just bought a metal fire ring and sunk it into the ground and planted my mint there too. That way it stays contained and doesn’t take over the rest of the bed. LOL.

I planted a miniature blueberry bush in an old vintage galvanized tub. I love the way it turned out and it looks great. And, you know, it gives me blueberries too!

A miniature blueberry bush planted in an old galvanized tub. #TexasHomesteader

I love planting things in galvanized containers. I even put a couple of huge galvanized cattle troughs at the edge of our porch and planted them up too.

Of course I planted them with edibles. I love the way it looks and it ties in well with the other galvanized containers I’ve planted at the porch.

Galvanized trough for raised bed planting in the garden for herbs and vegetables. #TexasHomesteader

Tall silver galvanized tub growing edible plants in a landscape bed.

I think all these plantings  look beautiful and have the added bonus of being edible. 

Say it with me kids: Use whatcha got!

~TxH~

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7 thoughts on “Homestead Hack: Dual-Purpose Plants Growing In Landscape Planters

  1. Jennifer A

    I’ve loved reading all your posts tonight! Have you ever grown sweet potatoes? They make a beautiful vine, and lots of people around here grow them inside because the vine is so pretty. Anyway, this post made me think about them! Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop!

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      I’ve grown sweet potatoes before but it’s been a while – I MUST add them to the edible landscape next year – thanks for the tip. ~TxH~

      Reply
  2. ColleenB.

    I sure do like your containers. So, what kind of potatoes did you plant?
    You must keep us informed if you receive any potatoes.
    After being without air conditioning since Sunday, the guys came out this morning so it’s now getting cool once again. No more cold showers just to cool off a bit.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      I planted just regular purchased potatoes that had begun to sprout. They were beautiful in plant form but produced precious little golf-ball sized potatoes. The plants still served their purpose though. Glad you finally got some AC! ~TxH~

      Reply

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