Truckers have a saying - "If you've got it, a truck brought it."

But the television set or the washing machine is not a necessity of life. An important reality of life in New England is that, despite the fact that there are still farms in our area, much of our food supply is shipped in from elsewhere. In the pre-Sept. 11 world, many people didn't give a second thought to what might transpire if the transportation network was threatened or cheap oil disappeared. But overt or economic terrorism that might pose a threat to shipments of food as well as merchandise is now a consideration.

Recent events in the pet food industry have focused attention on how rat poison could have entered the wheat that was incorporated into pet foods, affecting almost 100 brands and killing untold numbers of pets. Not surprisingly, many people are also questioning the safety of the human food supply in America, and what might happen if someone tampered with it or an accidental contamination occurred.

Fortunately, New Englanders have always been a self-sufficient lot. You may want to consider planning a landscape that includes edible plants. Edible landscaping is not exactly the same as vegetable gardening, with neatly cultivated rows, tomato stakes or chicken wire fencing. Edible landscaping looks like ornamental landscaping, except that in place of a poisonous rhododendron, for example, a homeowner might opt to plant a high bush blueberry. Instead of planting a non-native, plane tree, one might choose a hazelnut. Rather than bordering a patio with daffodils, which are toxic to both dogs and people, one might plant alpine strawberries, nasturtium or pansies.

Edible landscaping could actually help insure a supply of uninterrupted food to an enterprising gardener, even in our climate. Not only does edible landscaping provide free fresh food, it can help people reduce their grocery bills, enjoy different foods and limit their exposure to pesticides.

Rosalind Creasy's book "The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping" is frequently mentioned on gardening sites as one of the best references for anyone who wants to implement the edible landscaping concept. The Simple Living Network offers a 32-page downloadable e-book, "Cooking With Edible Flowers," for a nominal charge, and a database of edible plants is maintained at http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/edible_uses.php. For those who are landscaping a small space, such as a terrace or balcony, "The Edible Container Garden: Growing Fresh Food in Small Spaces" by Michael Guerra might be a helpful addition to the library.

Certainly, any attempt to increase self-sufficiency, get outdoors and eat healthful foods will benefit those who try this approach to beautifying their surroundings. But even those without a green thumb can find edible plants in the wild. "Handbook of Edible Weeds" by James A. Duke provides a guide for those interested in partaking of backyard delights without doing much in the way of work.

No need to worry if the lawn mower isn't tuned up and ready yet. There's no sense cutting the lawn when waiting for dandelion greens to appear. After all, the first spring greens are great in salad.

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Anne Springer is the public relations director of SeniorCare, Inc., which provides and coordinates services to elders, enabling them to live independently at home and remain part of their community. It serves elders in Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.