Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Fulford, Taze

Committee Member

Spafford, Anne

Committee Member

Schauwecker, Tim

Date of Degree

8-7-2025

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Landscape Architecture

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Landscape Architecture

Abstract

Edible landscaping or “foodscaping” has had a resurgence into the mainstream. Though many trailblazers aim to encourage edible landscaping through homeowners and renters, there seems to be a lack of initiative from designers. To identify the variables that can affect a designer’s use of edible planting in the residential Southeastern United States, research and statistical methods were employed. Beyond interviewing an expert in the field of edible planting in the residential space, a survey consisting of both Likert and open-ended questions was sent to licensed landscape architects in the Southeastern U.S. The survey was conducted using Qualtrics and analyzed using Stata tabulations and OLS Regressions. The results of the survey found that where a designer received formal education had a large impact on designers’ use of edible planting. Specifically, Louisiana State University had a high number of alumni who noted higher usage of edible planting. A design firm’s use of seasonal planting also had an impact on the implementation of integrated edible planting. Designers’ perceptions of their clients’ hesitations towards edible plants and preferences also impacted implementation of edible planting. Designers who recommend edible planting to their clients are also more likely to implement than those who do not suggest edible planting. The variables that affected the implementation of integrated edible plants were university attended, seasonal planting/seasonal planting options, designer suggestion, and client hesitation.

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