vegetable plot in garden

[murphyjf]

Just wondering if anyone is using their garden as a vegetable patch?

I am lucky enough that I have been able to section off a good patch of land about 15x 17 foot the problem is its the front garden and it looks out from my livingroom. my 8x6 greenhouse takes up some of the space and I am planning a 3x12 patch for potatoes, the problem being I would also like it to look nice so far its just a mess lol. anyone any pictures to give me some ideas? I suppose it will be better when there are actually things planted in it lol

[Jungle Jane]

Yes I use half my back garden as an allotment. Sorry i dont know how to add photos yet. It will be lovely to look at from your window. I grow marigolds & geraniums all along the rows & in ceramic pots (move them where you like) for colour & as trap crops. Pink geraniums look gorgeous next to the green growth of veg. Bean teepees look pretty in a line,next to some sweet corn,similar height. The problem I have is when things come to an end,looks empty & messy,iv heard about growing green manure or something like that,to cover the bare ground?

[Snow]

I grow in my back yard, looks ok I think, I have PSB in at the moment and the rest is empty but if it were a flower bed it would also look pretty empty this time of year.

[murphyjf]

Thanks hoping the problem is just that its empty lol, I dug a plot for potatoes trying to decide if I should make a raised bed or just leave it flat to the ground. was thinking a raised bed would maybe look better then again maybe I should give it a go this year and see how it goes.

[arpoet]

I, like many on the vine, grow at home. my garden is on slope and terraced to make it easier to work.
The top third, closest the house is for grass and flowering plants.
Then i have a green wire fence that i grow nasturtiums up.
Down the steps, the next third is my main veg patch.
The bottom third contains 2 greenhouses with a covered area between, and two spaces behind for my hos much heaps.
I have learnt to make the best of my space. I grow second early tatties in containers that i can move around.

[Guest]

I had a small veg patch where I used to live ( see piccies) and I have a veg patch in the back garden now although that is more of an allotment rather than veg patch



Where I used to live there were a couple of houses near me that grew in the front garden but it was immaculate rows of veg and yes it was strange as it was not a conventional front garden but it was very impressive at the same time.

If you are fussed about it looking messy thaentry and box it in. Trellis, hedging etc. and turn it into a little secret room. Post some pics, you never know grapes might come up with some suggestions for you

[Lumpy]

Hello, I agree with NG that even a low 2ft trellis of fence can make a huge difference - at least at that height you can step over it. Containers are another way of hiding blank areas. Some herbs are evergreen so a couple dotted about would provide a focal point and distract from any blank areas.
Personally I would put edging around - as my OCD traits would force me to tidy up the edges. At least with an edge it would be easier to mow or strim any lawn that needs doing.
Any chance of a picture?
Good Luck

[Kristen]

I am growing a hedge around mine, for shelter, but it will also hide the mess!! I planted Raspberries on the main perimeter side, within a year or two they made a "barrier" which hides the rest, until the hedge has grown.

The other approach is to grow a Potager - which is a mix of vegetables and flowers, and can look very attractive. I prefer an "Industrial production area" for my veg, and ornamental beds designed to look ... ornamental

[Two_Sheds]

Friend, you want to search googl images for "potagers"

[Martin H]

In my previous garden I was happy growing vegetables between the flowers. But I avoided anything that needed permanent covering, e.g. brassicas and carrots, because I hated the look of netting or fleece in an ornamental space. I did have some success with un-netted brussels sprouts, though; the caterpillers and pigeons left me some.

[rhonsal]

I have really poor soil in my garden (new development so the shipped in poor quality clay based backfill and topsoil) so I opted for raised beds, and also grow in pots and hanging baskets.

Where the plants are in pots on the left of the second pic is now the site of my greenhouse.

Good luck!

[Lumpy]

You could always investigate the idea of step over fruit trees around your front patch.
And Rhonsal - that looks brilliant - when plants are all leafy and growing it will look quite magical.