Vegetable garden design

I was so excited the first time I decided to grow vegetables. I bought a bunch of starter plants at the garden center in the spring. Then tried to find space to plant them all. Of course, I’d bought too many. So the vegetable bed ended up way too crowded by the time everything grew in.Some plants got diseased. Others were shaded out and didn’t produce well. Come harvest time, I couldn’t get at the plants properly to pick what I wanted without crushing other plants in the process.In the following years, I made a plan and designed my vegetable garden long before it was time to start seeds or buy transplants. It gave me something to think about while I was waiting impatiently for the growing season to arrive.Getting the right design for a vegetable garden layout isn’t complicated or difficult. Taking the time to plan what you want to grow and then draw a design will mean better success. It can save you from overspending on plants you won’t have room for.The following steps take you through the process of collecting the information you’ll need and then how to draw your vegetable garden design.1 – Gather Needed SuppliesLong tape measureGraph paperPencil and eraserRulerOnce you’ve decided where to locate your vegetable garden, you’ll need to measure the dimensions. You need to know what space you have so you can figure out how many plants you’ll have room for.You’ll use the rest of the tools to design a map of your vegetable garden layout and where you’ll plant everything.2 – Choose A LocationWhen choosing where to put your vegetable garden, you’ll need to think about the sun, soil, and drainage in different parts of your backyard. All these factors are important to ensure healthy plant growth.SunMost vegetables need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to grow well and produce a good crop. A few (mostly leafy greens like lettuce, kale, and spinach) can tolerate a little shade.In regions with extremely hot growing seasons, you may want to choose a site that just gets morning sun and is shaded by about 2:00 PM. You could also choose a site that gets sun before noon and then again later in the afternoon (i.e., it is shaded only during the peak heat of the day).SoilVegetables like soil that’s well-draining, not too dense, and has sufficient organic matter and nutrient content. The

Room to grow lots of different vegetables.Rows Or BlocksThe traditional method for planting a vegetable garden is in rows, but this can take up a lot of space.If you have a smaller backyard and limited space for a vegetable garden, you might want to plan your vegetable garden in blocks instead.In blocks, you’ll plant vegetables closer together, making more efficient use of limited space and increasing your harvest.Each block shouldn’t be wider than 4 feet (1.22 meters) so you can reach the middle from either side.Orient To The SunIf you plant in rows, it’s not that important whether you run them north-south or east-west. The important thing is to plant the taller plants (and those growing on a trellis) at the north end so they don’t shade out the plants on the southern edge of your vegetable garden.PathwaysYou’ll need to be able to reach every spot in your vegetable beds to weed them and harvest the crops. A good rule of thumb for reach is about 2 feet (0.61 meters) for most of us. So, if a bed is wider than 4 feet (1.22 meters), you’ll need to include pathways in your design so you can comfortably reach the center from either side without walking on your plantings.Raised BedsPlanting directly into the garden soil (level ground) is generally the preferred choice if you have good quality soil with good drainage.If you have poor-quality soil or poor drainage or have mobility issues that make gardening at ground level difficult, then raised beds are an excellent gardening problem-solver.Raised beds can also be planted earlier in the season because the soil in raised beds warms up more quickly in the spring than the surrounding garden soil.Also, in the late fall, when early frosts are a risk, a raised bed can offer some protection because cold air will settle on the lower ground surrounding them.You can build raised beds using a variety of materials, from wood to bricks or stone. You can design them as another architectural feature to tie in with the overall design of your backyard.Growing In Small SpacesYou can always go vertical if you have limited space for a vegetable garden.There are many vegetables, such as pole beans and cucumbers, whose long vines can be grown on tall supports such as trellises, arbors, or tripods. These structures can increase the harvest on a small patch of space and add some visual

Get youngsters excited about growing their own food with this easy children's vegetable garden plan.Updated on October 18, 2024 Photo: Illustration by Gary Palmer Kids like plants that appeal to their senses and spark their imaginations. This easy children's vegetable garden plan will please gardeners of all ages with unusual and fun-looking vegetables such as kohlrabi and 'Scallop' summer squash. They'll enjoy large plants like sunflowers and tiny plants like the 'Kaleidoscope' carrots that produce bright red, deep purple, salmon-orange, yellow, and white varieties, each with a unique flavor. There's even a shade-providing playhouse made out of bean vines. Kids will also love making the garden pretty with the marigolds that flank the bed's edge. Plants for Creating the Easy Children's Vegetable Garden Plan Colorful flowers and veggies come together in this garden plan to create a fun-filled feast for the senses that both kids and adults will enjoy.'Kong' and 'Teddy Bear' sunflowers'Scarlet Runner' beans on playhouse'Early Girl', 'Yellow Pear', 'Big Beef', and 'Sweet 100' tomatoes'Green Tiger' and 'Scallop' summer squashes'Salad Bush' cucumbers'Gypsy' peppers'Super Snappy' snap peas'Pacman' broccoli'Sweet Vienna' and 'Purple Vienna' kohlrabiGreen onions'Royal Burgundy', 'Bush Blue Lake', and 'Mellow Yellow' bush beans'Salad Bowl' leaf lettuce'Buttercrunch' lettuce'Red Sails' lettuce'Kaleidoscope' carrots'Easter Egg' radishes'Janie' marigoldsIf you aren't able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes. Get the Free Easy Children's Vegetable Garden Plan This garden design includes an illustrated version of the planted garden, a detailed layout diagram, a list of plants

The garden. Pick Pretty Varieties Flowers aren't the only way to add color to your vegetable garden design—a number of vegetables can, too. For example, the Swiss chard shown here adds a bright note to the bed. Other attractive vegetables include eggplant, red cabbage, purple kohlrabi, and red-leaf lettuce. Different tomatoes and peppers bear fruits in shades of red, orange, yellow, cream, purple, and green. And many herbs, including thyme, chives, and parsley, can enhance the beauty of your vegetable garden landscaping. Bring on the Birds Seasoned gardeners know the value of attracting birds to their vegetable gardens. Many common species, including robins, mockingbirds, wrens, and warblers, eat harmful insects. Include a source of water in your garden to entice your feathered friends to visit. Here, a simple birdbath set among herbs draws them in. Birds will also appreciate a source of shelter nearby, so if you can, plant a shrub or small tree near your garden. Add Ornamentation Use garden ornaments—from birdhouses to statuary—to embellish your growing space. Anything goes, as long as it suits your personal style. This rustic birdhouse adds vertical interest, while also providing a spot for birds to live.

Soil feeds your plants, so it’s important to ensure it will do the job.Choose a spot in your garden where the soil isn’t too rocky and hasn’t been compacted by heavy machinery or lots of foot traffic.DrainageVegetables like well-draining soil. Soil that stays too wet for too long will rot root vegetables and kill the roots of others. Avoid spots in your garden that sit wet long after a heavy rain.If all the sunny spots in your garden have poor drainage, you may need to plant in mounded rows or raised beds so your vegetables can grow above the water-logged soil.Choose A Site Protected From WindPlants dry out faster in windy conditions, just like our skin. Also, wind can damage stalks on taller vegetables or vining varieties grown on supports. Choose a location that’s protected from heavy winds.Be careful about planting right up against a solid fence in wind-prone regions. Wind can blow up and over a fence and down the other side with greater force than on the upwind side. So, instead of placing your vegetable beds up against a solid fence, put them a few feet away.Fences with slats or openings that let some air flow through will not develop these wind-force pockets.Water SourceIt may seem obvious, but choose a site with easy access to a water source. Think about how you’ll water your vegetable garden, whether with a handheld hose, soaker hose, or drip irrigation, and choose a location as close as possible to the source. You don’t want to drag hoses across the rest of your garden every time the vegetables need watering, which could be twice a week or more in hot weather.On the other hand, you may decide to install a permanent efficient drip-irrigation system, which saves the hassle of hoses altogether. You’ll save money on installation costs if your vegetable garden is closer to a water source where the system will be connected. Ease Of AccessIf you have a choice of locations, plant your vegetable garden as close to your house as possible. If it’s not too far, you’ll be more motivated to pick something fresh for a meal.3 – Design The LayoutSize ConsiderationsIf this is your first vegetable garden, it’s best to start small. This would be a bed about 8 feet (2.5 meters) x 10 feet (3 meters). This is manageable while still being big enough to give you plenty of

Grow your own food with style, and create unique, beautiful vegetable gardens that are as attractive as they are bountiful. Don't be surprised if you find yourself a little more eager to weed—you won't want to leave your pretty plot. Bring in Fruits and Herbs Too Most people think of vegetable gardens as plots of green, leafy plants in boring rows. But you can think out of the box—even if you're planting in a raised bed. With a little planning, you can grow edible plants with a display that rivals the beauty of any flower garden. Although this garden is relatively small (roughly 20 x 20 feet), it includes mouthwatering fruits, vegetables, and herbs—as well as flowers. It's hard to be anything but stunning with a mix like that. Pick the Right Spot The key to success with your vegetable garden design is to make sure you have the right spot. Most vegetables do best with full sun—at least eight hours of direct light a day. No matter what kind of soil you have, your vegetables will thank you if you amend the ground with organic matter (such as compost) before planting. The greenery will also be more ample. Here's a hint: Site your garden where you can easily access it. Harvesting fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs is less burdensome if you can quickly dash out and grab what you need (especially while you're cooking) instead of having to trek across the yard. Make an Entrance Let your garden make