Text and picture by Angela MacDougall
Growing a themed garden is great for many reasons. Some people only have a rented allotment, a small section of yard, or a small tilled area for growing food. Having themed garden beds can help you target the foods you consume the most and, in the end, save money by growing your own foods instead of purchasing them.
Growing a themed garden is great for many reasons. Some people only have a rented allotment, a small section of yard, or a small tilled area for growing food. Having themed garden beds can help you target the foods you consume the most and, in the end, save money by growing your own foods instead of purchasing them.
Gardens don’t have to be parallel rows of veggies. To actually get the most out of the space you have, it is best to grow in blocks or beds. When configuring the size of the bed, make sure you can reach the middle from all sides. This will eliminate soil compaction from stepping into it. Growing veggies in a ‘mix and match’ manner, instead of in rows of mono-crops, also helps keep pests out of your food. For example, if you have cucumber plants in four different beds instead of a whole row of cucumbers in single file, it will be harder for the cucumber beetles to find them. You can also research companion plants for your themed beds and choose combinations that deter the pests. The pest associated with one plant might be deterred by another plant; you can plant these side by side. For example, calendula excretes a sticky substance that can trap aphids. The aphids attract ladybugs (the good guys) and the calendula can be used for tea and healing salves; everything works together for a purpose.
Think about what you like to eat or tend to eat the most, and what foods you consume most in the winter that you could grow and preserve yourself. A Salad Garden is an easy way to eat fresh from your garden all summer long, especially if you keep planting crops like lettuce. A Salsa or Tomato Sauce Garden is even better, as you can make meals from the fresh ingredients but also put up extras for winter use.
Ideas for themed gardens
Salsa Garden: Onions, Garlic, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Peppers, Tomatillos, Corn
Tea Garden: Echinacea, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary
Noodle Garden: Zucchini, Carrots, Cucumber (these work great in a spiralizer), Onions, Parsley
Pickle Garden: Cucumbers, Garlic, Onions, Dill, Beans, Beets, Carrots
Tomato Sauce Garden: Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic, Celery, Basil, Oregano
In Edgett's Landing, Angela MacDougall and Ryan Smith run three farm-based businesses: Herb n' Joy; Fundy Farms: local harvest; and Black Sheep Maples.
Think about what you like to eat or tend to eat the most, and what foods you consume most in the winter that you could grow and preserve yourself. A Salad Garden is an easy way to eat fresh from your garden all summer long, especially if you keep planting crops like lettuce. A Salsa or Tomato Sauce Garden is even better, as you can make meals from the fresh ingredients but also put up extras for winter use.
Ideas for themed gardens
Salsa Garden: Onions, Garlic, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Peppers, Tomatillos, Corn
Tea Garden: Echinacea, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary
Noodle Garden: Zucchini, Carrots, Cucumber (these work great in a spiralizer), Onions, Parsley
Pickle Garden: Cucumbers, Garlic, Onions, Dill, Beans, Beets, Carrots
Tomato Sauce Garden: Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic, Celery, Basil, Oregano
In Edgett's Landing, Angela MacDougall and Ryan Smith run three farm-based businesses: Herb n' Joy; Fundy Farms: local harvest; and Black Sheep Maples.
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