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Tips For Designing an Awkwardly Shaped Vegetable Garden

When Designing and starting a vegetable Garden in any urban setting it can be an awkward yet rewarding experience. Urban Garden enthusiasts have several issues to consider during the planning stage. First and foremost consider the aesthetic value of adding a vegetable Garden to any area. There are many plants that will present a charming and surprising twist in your green space. They are well worth any challenge they may present. I also caution you there are a few plants that will not blend in with others. This is not to say they should not be allowed in your Garden, its just they are more challenging to convince others that they are viewing an edible arrangement incorporated into the landscape. Most people visualize a vegetable Garden as a dirt field like a farm, rows of produce growing in exposed dirt. I agree that cabbage and corn fields can be considered shabby and not chic. With planning and cooperation from the weather you too can be on the way to a healthy harvest.
My method is to incorporate vegetables into the urban environment. A well planned vegetable Garden can coexist with any landscape. There are "four s to Gardening" to consider when planning a Garden. First is the setting or set design, which includes the actual space versus the size and shape of plant being used. Second is the soil this will determine if you should plant in the soil or in containers. Third is sun, I know most Gardeners feel this is the most important element. Fourth is saturation, this is the ability of plants to get as much natural water as possible and using as little tap water as possible.

When planning your set design, there are two basic types of upright plants and two types of vine plants. For example; when adding vegetables to a landscaped bed of flowers and shrubs I suggest shorter bushy type plant such as peppers and herbs. They blend in well as a border plant. Even crops such as spinach and leaf lettuce works well with taller landscape shrubs. Taller stalk type plants such as Okra, Corn and even Sugar Cane works better planted in clusters along side thicker clusters of taller plants such as Ginger, Sunflowers, Larkspur or Hollyhocks. There are two types of vine plants that can be incorporated into the landscape. Growing trailing vines such as Tomatoes Peas, Beans and Cucumbers can make an attractive accent on an ordinary chain link fence, trellis or post on a patio deck. The addition of blooming vines such as Coral Vine, Morning Glory or Sweet Peas will add beauty to your climbing vegetable plants. Vines that run along the ground such as Melons, Eggplants, Squash, Bush Beans and Sweet Potatoes can be beautifully accented with flowering border plants like zinnia, marigolds, Geraniums and others.

Second consideration is the soil condition. In Houston Texas we have this hard clay like soil called "Gumbo". Its hard to work, the texture is similar to a soft plastic material, soil additives are needed to make the ground productive. Another unfriendly soil condition is massive tree roots. This is one of the points when you should consider container Gardening as an option. The other time to look at containers or raised flower beds is when you are surrounded by concrete.

The third consideration is sun. Most vegetables need a full day of sun but they will produce in lightly shaded locations with a few hours of sunlight. Outdoors security lights can be an added benefit to plants that are lacking natural daylight.

The fourth consideration I call saturation or natural watering. If you want to see a vegetable plant flourish to its fullest extent, place it where it has a source of morning dew such as the drip line of the roof or where it can get the added benefit of runoff from the rain water.

Vegetable Gardening is the most responsible way of going green and it doesnt have to take a major investment of space. I purposely omitted organic Gardening Tips, which offer the best health benefit. My suggestion to first time and novice is to consult your local Garden center for advice on controlling weeds and insects, especially in the south. Organic Gardeners can add some wonderful Tips to control insects and feeding the soil, but you must be able to invest the time to work the program and dedicate valuable urban space for composting.

Bryan Gathright expertise in green living home design is a result of his blended background in commercial art, industrial arts, landscape design, special events coordinations, public relations and a degree in Ornamental Horticulture into a floral & event company in Houston, Texas. Hes done programs for many groups over his career. Garden clubs, professional florist organizations, universities, community groups and churches. With over 35 years of experience in the flower industry, Bryan has a vast wealth of knowledge that he is willing to share with those who are interested in event decorating. For more information and to see photographs of my work visit me at my website.