Hedgerows are an ancient gardening technique that is currently undergoing a revival around the world thanks to the many benefits hedges provide.

In the Midwest today, hedges are most commonly used as simple privacy screens consisting of one or two species of shrubs. However, a traditional hedgerow incorporated a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers that served as a fence, a windbreak, a haven for beneficial insects and birds, and many other uses. Many of the plants incorporated into a traditional hedgerow were also edible for humans.

Modern gardeners can …

Fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and other edible plants that grow well in Midwestern gardens:

Almond (zones 6-9)
Apple (zones 3-9)
Apricot (zones 5-9)
Aronia (zones 4-9)
Asparagus (zones 4-9)
Basil (annual)
Beans (annual)
Bitter melon (zones 5-10)
Blackberry (zones 5-8)
Blueberry (zones 3-9)
Borage (annual)
Cabbage (annual)
Chamomile (zones 4-10)
Cherry (zones 4-9)
Chestnut (zones 5-9)
Chives (annual)
Chokecherry (zones 2-6)
Crabapple (zones 3-9)
Cranberry (zones 3-8)
Cucumber (annual)
Currant (zones 3-8)
Eggplant (annual)
Elderberry (zones 2-9)
Filbert (zones 4-8)
Ginger (6-10)
Gooseberry (zones 3-8)
Grape (zones 4-10)
Hazelnut (zones 4-9)
Hickory (zones 4-9)
Highbush cranberry (zones 2-7)
Hops (zones 4-10)
Jerusalem arthichoke (zones 2-9)
Jujube (zones 6-10)
Kale (annual)
Lettuce (annual)
Lotus (zones 5-10)
Maple (zones 3-6)
Marjoram (annual)
Melons (annual)
Mint (zones 4-10)
Mulberry (zones 5-10)
Nanking cherry (zones …

The best way to learn how to plant and maintain a vegetable garden is to find an experienced gardeners to help you. If that isn’t possible, the second best way is to learn from a book. There are hundreds of great vegetable gardening books available, but I consider these three to be the best for beginners:

The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible, by Ed Smith. My favorite vegetable gardening book focuses on organic gardening techniques designed to produce high yields with a minimum of labor and expense, and to improve the long …

With so many families looking for ways to cut costs and save money thanks to the recession, seed companies have seen an explosion in business. Starting a home kitchen garden can be a great way to save money on grocery bills. A recent study by the National Gardening Association found that the average family with a vegetable garden spends only about $70 per year on the garden and grows $600 worth of vegetables. Individual types of vegetables may offer even better return on the investment. For example, $1 worth …

A well planned landscape is not only beautiful, it can also save you money on your heating and cooling bills! In fact, studies have found that energy efficient landscaping can reduce your summer utility bills by as much is 50% in some regions of the United States. These tips will help you save money on summer utility bills:

Plant deciduous trees on the south, east, and west sides of your house. Deciduous trees shade your home in the summer while allowing cooling breezes to pass through, significantly reducing cooling costs. In …

Thoughtful landscaping not only beautifies your home and adds to its resale value, it can also reduce heating costs!

Here are a few tips for saving money on heating bills with an energy efficient landscape:

Plant evergreen trees as a windbreak on the northwest side of your house. Studies have found that windbreaks can reduce heating costs by up to 20%. Windbreaks are effective for a distance of up to eight times their own height. For maximum effectiveness, use a mix of tall trees, shorter trees, and shrubs in your windbreak.
Use evergreens …