In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of research done highlighting the benefits of edible landscapes around the world. Edible landscaping offers an intimate interaction with nature, while fostering social engagement among members of the surrounding community. It has been linked to a number of different physical, mental, and social benefits for everyone in the surrounding community.

Concerns about healing landscape design and its impact on children and adults alike has led to redefining outdoor spaces across various landscapes. Research has found that play has a significant role in a child’s healthy development (Moore, 2002), and a relationship to how children are able to manage trauma (St. Thomas and Johnson, 2007). Playful interactions with nature, other children, and play structures, as well as with adults and different materials available helps to stimulate the development of mind, spirit and body in a child (Moore, 2002). 

As edible landscapes, the following case studies further explain how edible landscapes can come in a variety of forms and functions. Edible landscapes have been essential to human communities since the advent of agriculture but these examples focus on those without extensive gardening experience and how even small and condensed gardens can make a big impact.