May 16, 2008
Growing fresh, seasonal, organic produce in your backyard
With all the wonderful farmers markets available, many of you might ask why you should bother growing vegetables at home.
You should do it for that immense satisfaction of growing one’s own food, but also because it allows you to try unusual or rare types of vegetables. These may not be easily available in the markets and can often be rather pricey. There is just nothing like fresh, seasonal, organic produce.
To a lot of people, gardening primarily is all about vegetables. In a sense, this is how gardening must’ve started. The need and use of growing one’s food was a practical and natural choice. To cultivate flowers and bring an aesthetic sensibility would’ve come later as a luxury, almost.
But these days, we can have it all in the garden: flowers, fruits and vegetables. No matter whether a small or large space is available, one can always plan on including everything. A French potager comes to mind.
Make the vegetable garden beautiful. A visually appealing plot is the first step to a delightful meal. It is after all the entire journey that needs to be enjoyed and not simply the destination at the dining table.
So let’s get started on planning and executing the vegetable garden. Think geometry! Design involves a lot of geometry.
Decide first where to put the vegetable garden
First and foremost, consider the size and site of the plot. Vegetables ideally require sunny, sheltered areas. Typically, the kitchen garden is located close to the house, making trips from harvesting to kitchen convenient. But if your house is surrounded by shade-giving trees, you might choose a more suitable site further away. An ornamental vegetable garden can be a breathtaking surprise in the front of the house. I’ve seen it done.
Once the site has been determined, you might want to enclose it. This is done for two reasons. The first is obvious. Annoying, destructive critters are kept away. The other reason is design. A fence delineates the garden and can make a statement. It can be a simple or intricate fence. Personally, I like simple. Vines such as clematis, native honeysuckle or morning glories will look pretty on the fence. Roses will be charming as well. Or if critters are not a concern, all around this garden, you can grow espaliered fruit trees like apples and pears. A fence of grape vines would be lovely too. Can’t you just imagine this?
At the chosen site, decide how you want the vegetable beds. They can be simple squares or rectangles separated by paths, triangular beds radiating from a central focal point, raised beds, whatever you prefer. Remember, you need space between beds to walk, to work, perhaps use a wheelbarrow and have easy accessibility to the plants in the beds without actually stepping into the bed. Edging the beds with bricks or other decorative material looks good.
Good vegetables need good soil
Once that is done, deal with the soil. Clear out all grass, weeds and such. Turn over the soil and add generous amounts of compost and manure. Make this a rich and welcoming environment for the plants. Ensure that you have water readily available. Vegetables require regular watering so you want to make this chore convenient for yourself.
Mingling flowers with vegetables is an attractive and practical way to go. The flowers attract beneficial insects and pollinators, plus you have flowers to bring indoors and arrange.
How to get started: seeds or seedlings?
You can start your plants by directly sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings from pots. Make certain not to crowd the plantings. Neatness and space matters a great deal. It fosters a good looking garden and promotes healthy growth.
The paths themselves should be comfortable to walk on. Fine mulch, pea gravel, bricks and slate are some of the better choices. Remember, self-sown plants have a tendency to crop up on paths so be prepared to weed here as well!
Before you choose which vegetables to grow, think about how much time and work you are willing to undertake. Summers here can be hot and humid and sometimes unpleasant for work outside. Then check your vacation schedule. You don’t want to select vegetables that will be ripe for the picking when you’re away.
Vegetables like corn are space takers and if you don’t really have the space for a good yield, don’t grow them. Instead get them from the local farmer’s market where they will be in abundance. You might also partner with friends so you can grow several different vegetables and then share the produce. Think in terms of not just varieties but more in quantities. Fewer types of vegetables in abundance are better than meager amounts of many sorts.
In his latest book on organic gardening, Prince Charles advises: “Aim to produce sufficient quantities for at least five meals from any single variety, or you will not be repaid for the effort you have put into growing the plants.” I concur!
Back to the design table
Once you’ve made your selections, use the colors of leaves, fruits and flowers in addition to heights and widths to design a pleasing planting pattern. Think artistically. Thought given here will result in a really pretty garden. Herbs can be used as border plants. Companion planting as a means of organic pest control should be considered. Successive planting arrangements will prolong the vegetable season nicely.
Staking, using cages, supports and tepees to enable plants to grow vertically,is a crucial part of vegetable growing. So factor this chore in.
In a situation like mine, where I have limited space, I have “expanded” the garden by using very large pots to grow leafy greens like kale, chards, beets and lettuces. Large Bay standards grown in pots are also under planted with salad greens. I have also seen hanging planters bearing a rich variety of herbs and lettuces.
Finally you will have planned, designed, prepared and planted. With regular watering, weeding and vigilance (against pests), you can eagerly anticipate a glorious harvest all summer long!
Be sure to make note of your plantings and design. This will be useful next year when you need to rotate your crops.
Oh, I almost forgot, involve the kids. They will eat what they grow!
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