Front Garden Veggies

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I know this was discussed at length in the distant past, but, who actually dares to do it?

Do you grow veg in your front garden?

I am tempted to do it surreptitiously - the cat would of course be out of the bag if anything grows (imagine a block of sweetcorn along the front wall).

[KevinM67]

I've unfortunately got a busy road outside my place. It's also North facing and struggles for sun.

I would love to do it in my back garden - but that would mean no football with my lad.

[libbyloulou]

Have thought about it but being northish facing, keeps holding me back, other half wouldn't mind as long as it looks the part, also a 15 r old pampas grass needs burning or digging up.May have ago this year,all the salad stuff should be okay there.

[veggiechicken]

Why not? Veggies don't have to be planted in rows. A clump of sweetcorn look similar to one of pampas grass

[sparrow100]

I've usually got carrots, root parsley, wild garlic and herbs on my north-facing balcony. it's lovely to be able to go out and pick what you need. If I had a (front) garden I don't think I'd be able to resist planting veg in it.

[Alison]

I grew squashes all over mine one year, worked well but now put in some easy maintenance shrubs as I've got all the space on my lottie so don't need to use the front garden as well.

[Potstubsdustbins]

SWMBO has the front garden for her flowers, so no I wouldn't dare.

[skeggijon]

It just so happens that all my back gardens in the past have all been south facing and thus been the better place for growing veggies

[kathyd]

I've never understood why we always try to hide our veg patch, our chicken run, our duck pond etc... Our chicken run is under the apple trees in front of the house, although they also free range over the entire garden when we're in and around. Our fairly large wildlife-pond-now-duck-pond is in prime position in the front garden, right opposite the house. I'm trying to grow a herb hedge along the front wire mesh fence. Our veggies are pretty out of sight, but only because that's the only really suitable place to grow them. Now I know I live in the countryside these days, but I think I'd feel the same in a town if I had a big enough front garden. I love looking out at all the things I enjoy. I love seeing my veggies sprouting, and checking them for beasties. And didn;t cottage gardens historically revolve around edible plants, and weren't they the most amazingly beautiful things to look at? Grow your veg where you want, don't worry about convention! Unless it's likely to get knicked of course .

[mrswadders]

I grow veg and fruit at the front of our house in fact I've pretty much taken over both the front and back gardens! I have 4 raised beds out the front, a 'hedge' of redcurrants, various fruit in tubs, 2 pear trees and, strawberries and 3 trees in large tubs out the front! We do live at the end of a cul-de-sac though so do have a lot of space. Oh almost forget I have my coldframe out the front too which doubles as my sweetcorn bed later in the year as I grow it in flower buckets. I'd say if your not on a busy road, or likely to have stuff pinched I'd say go for it!

[beeterforit]

Hi All
Asparagus inter planted with roses both standard and bush make a wonderful display (florists have used this for years)
This is how it works for me
Early in the year let the roses grow as normal as the asparagus will be cut down, eat the asparagus as usual ,then let it grow ,the roses will flower and mix with the asparagus growth and compliment each other under plant with winter squashes
Only the brave will dare to steal a squash................ unless they wear gloves

[Bren In Pots]

Have a read here for ideas :- BackToFront then under resources theres a handy pdf with planting guides and layouts.

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Ah Bren, that is excellent. THank you.

Every time I look at our front garden I think it is wasted space (+ I have to mow it). OK, it is North facing, but we have a bungalow so 2/3 of it gets plenty of sun.

I really must make a start this year! Especially as that allotment waiting list is soooooo loooooooong!

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I should add, I am glad to hear that a few of you grapes are already doing it!

[Philthy]

I'd have several issues with growing in the front garden:
Being regularly interrupted by people walking past. An end of season plot / raised bed scenario would look messy, more so than a border with a few weeds in it. Road noise. Threat of theft.
A few, brightly coloured additions to pots or displays could work e.g. herbs, rainbow chard.