Homestead Hack: Dual-Purpose Plants

by Texas Homesteader
*contains affiliate link

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.

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

Check out today’s Homestead Hack.

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 are for further information from earlier posts I’ve written. But links preceded with * are affiliate links. If you click them and buy something (almost anything, not just the item noted) I could receive a small purchase. But the price you pay will NOT change. It’s an easy way to support this blog without anything coming out of your pocket. So click often! Thank you!)

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. 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.

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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9 thoughts on “Homestead Hack: Dual-Purpose Plants

  1. Lisa M

    Great planters! I especially love your mint planter!

    Thanks for linking up with Green Thumb Thursday. I hope to see you back this week!

    Lisa

    Reply
  2. 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
  3. 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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