Years ago I came to the realization that if I'm going to spend time caring for a yard, shouldn't it give me something back...other than decent shade and a lush green lawn? I've since begun actively accumulating plants that will benefit our family, now and post collapse. We only live on a tiny suburban lot, and what we've planted would help but not sustain us 100%. That said...I figure it's better than nothing!

Here's what we have:
Fruits: strawberries, nectarines, peaches, triple apple tree, satsuma, orange, fig tree, black berry bushes, and 3 types of pears.

Veggies: tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, bell peppers, jalapenos, Anaheim peppers, green onions, zucchini, pole green beans, and snap peas.

Herbs: sage, mint (reg. & choc.), stevia, , garlic, parsley, rosemary, oregano, basil, tarragon, thyme & cilantro

Medicinal Herbs: citronella, chamomile, aloe vera, hyssop, & echinacea

Some items are in full bloom while other are just starting out.

Being able to grow your own groceries, even if it's just to supplement, is a very rewarding feeling! Also growing herbs with medicinal value can give you a peace of mind.

There are many other items that grow naturally that many people don't realize are edible.
Consider these plants:
acorns
pine: nuts, needles, inner bark
clover
dandelions
cat tails
elderberries
hibiscus blooms
petunia blooms
...these are just a few off the top of my head that can be eaten. Many have very nutritious properties! Do your research. When the general public are FREAKING OUT because the grocery shelves are empty, you can rest easy with your new skill set and a little effort!

A source we have in our prepper library:

The Essential Wild Food Survival Guide

In my BOB:

Wild Cards ~ Edible Wild Foods 

Just realized I forgot one:

Stinging Nettle 

Awesome site! Merriwether provides invaluable information; not just edibles in the wild, but trees, shrubs, and weeds in your own yard! His blog is well organized with awesome pictures, descriptions, as well as warnings.

Never knew that my annoying sweet gum could prove useful in a survival situation. Guess I'll postpone cutting it down...for now. :)

Foraging Texas 

Yes, this awesome! I have saved it to my favorite places. Especially like the warnings - need to be careful before consuming foraged food :O Great pictures! 

Check out this recent interview with Merriwether:

 

BTW ~ My next yard plant will be a Yaupon Holly! ^^^ 

this is interesting