When those involved with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" traveled to Lena, Ill., to build one organic farmer's dream home, they knew they needed workers.
Construction workers, builders, plumbers -- each needed to play a role to make the new home work.
What they probably did not expect to need were gardeners. And not just any gardeners.
Nope. This project required edible-landscape gardeners.
If you are anything like me, that sentence makes you ask, "What the heck is edible landscaping?"
I posed just this question to Margaret Larson, director of the University of Illinois Extension for Stephenson and Winnebago counties.
"It's using fruit and vegetable plants not just for visual appeal in landscaping but also to produce the food," she said.
Larson and dozens of extension volunteers traveled to the build site to install countless herbs, vegetables, fruits and more on the organic farming family's property.
"It has absolutely been a wonderful time," she said.
Landscaping plants included lettuce, rhubarb, an apple tree, basil and more.
Larson said the extension office felt particularly attached to this volunteer project; the recipient, Joey Stott, sold organic produce at the Lena Farmers Market, sponsored by the extension.
"We know Joey very well, and that made it that much easier to take part in this," Larson said.
While she said Joey provided great incentive for volunteering, another reason existed.
"Yes, this was a very deserving family," she said, "but I think us doing this helped raise awareness of how landscaping can be organic and green."
