Landscape Gardening vs. Food Gardening in the PNW: How to Do Each One Right
If you live in the Seattle area, you already know how lucky we are when it comes to gardening. Our mild temperatures, rainy springs, and long growing season make the Pacific Northwest one of the best places to create a beautiful outdoor space — whether you’re dreaming of lush landscaping or a backyard full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
But landscape gardening and food gardening are two very different adventures. If you’re thinking about starting (or improving) your garden this year, it helps to know the right way to approach each one.
With a little research, mixed with some personal experience, here’s what I’ve learned about making the most of gardening in the PNW:
Landscape Gardening in the PNW
If your goal is to create a yard that’s beautiful year-round, landscape gardening is the way to go. In our climate, you have the opportunity to design a space that’s green and colorful even when the skies are gray.
Climate Considerations:
Even though we get plenty of rain through spring, our summers can actually be quite dry. Good drainage is key — soggy roots can ruin even the hardiest plants. Choosing native or water-wise plants can save you a lot of maintenance down the road.
Key Tips for Success:
Pick the right plants: Rhododendrons, azaleas, ferns, hostas, Japanese maples, and native grasses all thrive here with minimal fuss.
Think about layering: Combine trees, shrubs, and ground covers to create depth and interest in every season.
Mulch matters: Mulching not only helps with water retention and weed control but also keeps soil temperatures more stable year-round.
With thoughtful planning, a landscape garden in the PNW can look just as good in February as it does in July.
Food Gardening in the PNW
If you love the idea of walking outside and picking your dinner, food gardening is incredibly rewarding — and very possible, even in our sometimes-fickle weather.
Climate Considerations:
The biggest challenges here are our cool springs and occasional heavy rains, which can rot seeds and stunt young plants if you’re not careful. Raised beds and well-draining soil make a huge difference.
Key Tips for Success:
Choose the right crops: Leafy greens (like lettuce, kale, and spinach), berries (especially strawberries and raspberries), peas, carrots, beets, and cool-climate tomato varieties all do well here.
Get a head start: Many vegetables need a longer growing season than our natural temperatures allow. Starting seeds indoors in late winter or buying starts from a local nursery can help.
Watch for pests: Slugs, snails, and deer love the PNW as much as we do. Plan ahead with natural deterrents and barriers.
Gardening for food takes a little more strategy in the Pacific Northwest — but trust me, there’s nothing better than harvesting your own homegrown strawberries in June!
How to Choose (or Combine!)
Edible landscaping is a beautiful way to blend the two. You can plant blueberry bushes along your front walk, add herbs to your flower beds, or grow colorful Swiss chard right next to your tulips. Your yard can be both a feast for the eyes and the table.
If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself:
Do I want a space that’s low-maintenance and beautiful year-round? (Focus on landscaping.)
Do I want to grow food for my family? (Start with a simple food garden.)
Am I excited to create something that’s both practical and beautiful? (Combine the two!)
Final Thoughts
The Pacific Northwest offers so much possibility when it comes to gardening. Whether you plant a forest of ferns, a plot of peas, or a little bit of everything, you’re creating a space that feeds both your body and your soul. And that’s something truly special.