Sometimes Smaller is Better

This spring I have expanded my garden yet again. Of the 32 varieties of trees, bushes, vines, and plants nearly half are perennials. If I have my way next year's garden will be even larger but is it necessary to have a huge garden? The answer is no. Your garden should be planned out in advance. Take into consideration, space, time, location, season and selection.

It sounds crazy but some people plant vegetables they don't eat. I hate beets but they are good for you and I know several people who love them so I am growing them for the first time this year. Does this mean I just broke one of my own rules? Yes, but I have space and I love variety so I have made an exception to the rule.  

My neighbor and good friend Betty is a classic example of how to plan and plant a small garden. She was very specific right down to the type of tomatoes she likes to eat. She recently gave me a tour. Her first decision was location. Since planting her garden in last years spot was not an option she had to find an area that had at least seven hours of sun a day. Since she is not attempting to feed a small army she doesn't need a large area. If I were to guess I would say her garden is probably twelve by twenty feet. She even had the forethought to leave a small path to access the garden for maintenance and harvesting.

                                                                Gardening Your Way


You can see more of her photos on Gardening Your Way, a page where you can upload pictures of your garden. Her garden consists of tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and strawberries.

Last year she made a huge amount of compost and boy has it paid off. The leaves and stems of her vegetables are lush and green. A few of her plants have already started producing flowers and buds.

Although Betty has the time to grow more tasty vegetables she is content with what she has.  The final step is protecting her garden from hungry critters. It is common to see groundhogs, chipmunks, and raccoons in the area. Unfortunately, they wreak havoc on the neighborhood gardens throughout the summer and fall. To combat that problem a three-foot fence now surrounds the garden.

This garden is one example of a blueprint of what your small garden could look like. Larger, smaller, a different variety of fruits the possibilities plentiful as I hope your harvest will be.

                            The Frugal Gardener's Spring Garlic Harvest