This summer I had the pleasure of visiting with Bassem Samaan and seeing one of the finest examples of edible landscaping I’ve ever seen. Amidst the most typical of suburban neighborhoods in Bethlehem PA, Samaan has transformed his yard into a paradise of fruit. He is successfully growing an astoundingly wide variety: figs, pomegranates, guavas, maypops, pawpaws, persimmons, olives, jujubes, loquats, peaches, plums, apricots, asian pears, mulberries, che, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, and kiwiberries. Some may be surprised that all these fruits can be grown an hour north of Philadelphia in climate zone 6. This is accomplished through careful selection of hardy varieties and container growing combined with a small greenhouse in the backyard. See my post “Fresh Figs for Cold Climates” for more information about techniques for protecting tender plants from cold.
Bassem Samaan with his fig collection.
Samaan has also started a small hobby business of propagating and selling fig varieties. He currently has almost 150 cultivars, many of which he collected and named himself from cuttings taken across the country. Check out Samman’s website (treesofjoy.com) for details about fig varieties and information about purchasing.
Needless to say, this is a powerful example of what can be done with a landscape. The lush bounty of Samaan’s landscape is in stark contrast to the yards surrounding his. He says his neighbors have shown little interest in what he’s done, not even bothering to pick the grapes on their side of a shared fence. A drastic change in mindset is needed! The suburbs, as unsustainable as they are in many ways, could easily be self-sufficient in fruit production.
Fig and pomegranate as foundation shrubs!
Persimmon and pawpaw in the front yard.
Pomegranates in zone 6?!
Backyard greenhouse with hardy bananas.
The greenhouse is primarily used for propagation and winter storage.
Samaan explains his kiwiberry trellis.
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Persimmons are stunningly beautiful and delicious in the fall.
Beautiful! I’d be delighted to be Samaan’s neighbor!
Bassem!
What a wonderful idea for use in Philadelphia inner city neighborhoods. There are vacant lots–some consisting of a large south-facing corner area–that could be put to this use. I am searching for ideas to engage students, especially those in middle and high school, in order to combat truancy (and cutting, after they get to school).
A very successful program was instituted in Orange County, California–using instruction in fish-farming early in the morning. I think instruction in such techniques as you possess could fill that need in Philadelphia. If urban farming in Phila. is to succeed, there will have to be an educated and engaged cadre of persons, some of whom must be young–to carry it forward. The school is the ideal place for conveying this information and enthusiasm.
It would be great if the City or School District would contract with you to do a pilot program with this concept. You’re probably otherwise employed, however. But expertise (and passion) of the level that you possess is not easy to come by. Any suggestions?
Ann Agee