Grow your own fruit & veg in Cornwall
It is not always the whole garden that needs a make-over or re-design. With grow your own vegetable gardens becoming more and more popular I am often being asked how to incorporate a vegetable plot into an existing garden without interrupting the flow and symmetry.
This garden in Cornwall was approximately a third of an acre and most of it was already heavily landscaped. The decision was made to sacrifice a small raised area of the garden, close to the house, that would receive mostly sun but some shade during the day. The clients wanted to create a vegetable plot that was easy to use and maintain and that complimented their existing house. They also wanted a greenhouse and a small potting shed – not much to ask in such a tiny space!
The solution came in the form of four raised timber beds with chipped bark pathways, a small timber potting shed and a timber greenhouse, stained in colour to match the potting shed and window frames of the house. The whole area was then surrounded by hazel fencing and a bespoke hazel gate, which created an inviting entrance but also helped to keep out the pets and children!
As soon as the timber for the raised beds started to weather grey and the first vegetable seeds sprouted this newly created vegetable garden looked as if it has been part of this Cornish garden for years. With the ability to control the soil content in the raised beds the clients have had a bountiful supply of fresh vegetables every year!
The clients are particularly pleased with the planting scheme that has turned a rather boring green country garden into a riot of colour, shape and wildlife activity.
© Fleurs Design Gardens & Landscapes