A comprehensive research-based design for transforming a conventional front yard into a productive, beautiful, and low-maintenance edible landscape specifically tailored for Burlington, Vermont's climate (Zone 5a/5b).
This repository contains detailed research and planning for creating a sustainable edible landscape that maximizes food production while minimizing ongoing maintenance. The design philosophy centers on working with Vermont's unique climate conditions and investing in upfront soil preparation to create a self-sustaining garden ecosystem.
- Primary: Busy families in Burlington, VT looking to create productive, beautiful front yard landscapes
- Secondary: Gardeners in USDA Zones 4-6 interested in permaculture and food forest principles
- Tertiary: Landscape designers seeking research-backed plant selections for northern climates
✅ Climate-Specific Design - Tailored for Burlington's Zone 5a microclimate with south-facing exposure benefits
✅ Low-Maintenance Focus - Designed to minimize ongoing labor through strategic plant selection and soil preparation
✅ Disease-Resistant Varieties - Emphasizes robust, disease-resistant fruit trees and native plants
✅ Multi-Season Interest - Provides harvests and beauty from spring through fall
✅ Ecological Integration - Incorporates native plants that support local wildlife and pollinators
- USDA hardiness zone analysis for Burlington
- Microclimate advantages of south-facing sites
- Historical climate trends and implications
- Sheet mulching implementation guide
- Long-term soil building strategy
- Labor-saving preparation methods
- Canopy Layer: Disease-resistant apple varieties ('Liberty', 'Freedom') and cold-hardy peach ('Reliance')
- Shrub Layer: Productive berry bushes and native edible shrubs
- Groundcover Layer: Living mulch with wild strawberry and aromatic herbs
- Master plant shopping list with Fedco supplier information
- Materials and tools checklist
- Seasonal maintenance calendar
- 'Liberty' Apple: Exceptional disease resistance, late summer harvest
- 'Freedom' Apple: Disease-resistant pollination partner, early fall harvest
- 'Reliance' Peach: Cold-hardy Zone 4 variety, mid-summer harvest
- 'Caroline' Raspberry: Everbearing variety, fall harvest
- American Black Elderberry: Edible flowers and berries, native wildlife support
- Black Chokeberry: Antioxidant-rich berries, brilliant fall color
- Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana): Native groundcover with edible fruit
- Creeping Thyme: Drought-tolerant, walkable aromatic carpet
- Wild Bergamot: Native pollinator magnet with edible leaves/flowers
- South-facing front yard with 6+ hours direct sunlight
- Burlington, VT location (or similar Zone 5a/5b climate)
- Commitment to initial soil preparation investment
- Fall/Winter: Order plants from suppliers (Fedco Trees opens late summer)
- Early Spring: Implement sheet mulching and bed preparation
- Late Spring: Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials after last frost
- Ongoing: Follow seasonal maintenance calendar
- Initial Investment: Trees ($30-50 each), shrubs ($15-30 each), groundcovers ($5-10 each)
- Materials: Cardboard (free), compost (1-2 cubic yards), mulch (2-3 cubic yards)
- Long-term Savings: Reduced grocery costs, minimal ongoing inputs after establishment
This design prioritizes strategic seasonal interactions over constant maintenance:
- Spring: Plant installation and pruning
- Summer: Harvest and occasional deep watering during drought
- Fall: Main harvest season and final weeding pass
- Winter: Dormant season pruning and planning
This plan is built on:
- 30+ years of USDA climate data for Burlington area
- Disease resistance research from university extension programs
- Permaculture and food forest design principles
- Native plant ecology and wildlife habitat considerations
The plan includes 54 researched citations from:
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone maps and climate data
- University extension publications
- Reputable plant suppliers and nurseries (Fedco, Stark Bros, etc.)
- Permaculture and sustainable gardening resources
This research represents a specific design for Burlington, VT conditions. Adaptations for other climates, microclimates, or design preferences are welcome. Consider:
- Climate zone modifications for other regions
- Plant substitutions for different growing conditions
- Alternative suppliers for different geographic areas
- Updates based on implementation experience
For questions about this research or implementation experiences, please open an issue or contribute your own findings.
This plan represents extensive research into creating productive, sustainable front yard landscapes. While designed specifically for Burlington, Vermont, the principles and methodologies can be adapted for similar northern climates.