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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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~
This post categorized in 
Other ‘Use Whatcha Got’ Ideas
- Make A Cute Porch Lantern
- Assuring Safety Around An Underground Cistern
- Repurposing An Empty Parmesan Cheese Container – BRILLIANT!
- MYO Simple Craft Paintbrush In A Pinch
- Replacing Our Bedside Clock/Radio
- Predator Guard For Our Martin House
- Trick Birds Away From Garden Strawberries
- Protecting Tender Seedlings
- Safer Straight-Pin Storage
- Tame Electrical Cords
- Save Your Fingernails When Cleaning
- MYO Chalkboard Labels
- Keeping Boots Stored Neatly
- How Leaves Greatly Benefit Your Garden
- Pretty Wax-Dipped Pinecone Fire Starters
- Finding Free Storage Lids For Canning Jars
- Beautiful All-Natural Tablescape
- All ‘Use Whatcha Got’ Posts
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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!
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~
Great tips. I am all about double dipping. I think sweet potato vines are so pretty!
One of my all time favorites to plant are scarlett or sunset runner beans. The hummingbirds and bees love them, they have gorgeous flowers and I get food!!
OMGosh Megan, I’ve never heard of them. I’m gonna google it right now!! ~TxH~
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.
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~