For the last year I’ve been working on this wonderful project in Brookline. The design, featured in my July Newsletter, creates a useable front yard sitting and garden space for a multi-generational family. As the sunniest space on the property we created a patio and raised plant bed in the front, and a raised vegetable garden along the side yard.
Bluestone steps, landing and raised planters create a clean, modern look to this front yard
If you look towards the back of this picture, you can see the beginning of the vegetable garden on the side yard. We have 3 raised cedar beds, two of which have trellises which serve the dual purpose of providing screening from the neighbor’s driveway, and providing lots of vertical space for climbing vegetables. The raised beds are from Naturalyards, and they ship in flat boxes for easy assembly on site.
Cucumbers, tomatoes and Indian bitter melon climb the cedar trellises, while greens fill the planters below.
The garden, tended closely by my client’s mother, grows an exotic array of vegetables that aren’t easy to find in your typical grocery store!
Spiny Indian bitter melon is used like zucchini, and is a favorite of my client’s father
Beautiful Japanese eggplant are growing in abundance. With fewer seeds, these are more tender than the Italian variety.
Pots tucked in between beds grow a variety of greens. This is purslane, used in stir fries, soups or salads. You can also see the irrigation drip lines going into the beds and pots, a great way to ensure the garden’s success.
This pot is growing sweet potatoes! But, my client’s mom grows it not for the root, but for the leaves, which can be used like other greens.
Jalapeño peppers share space with more leafy greens.
The trellises are perfect for growing tomatoes and other heavy, vining vegetables.
I love this garden, because its such a great example of how much you can grow in a limited space. Using raised beds, pots and trellises, this family has lots of great food to enjoy, right from their side yard in Brookline!
