Btw, black is soil and brown is where the paths are. I'd probably do corn and cucurbits in NW section, legumes in NE section, umbelliferae and allium in SE section, and possibly grains in SW section.

This is the wrong forum to ask "if you are just making it difficult for your self". Most of the people who post here are as interested in the aesthetics of the garden as they are in the production, if not more so. It definitely takes more time and thought to make beauty than to just grow crops.

It seems to me, If the garden isn't somewhere where you are going to be able to see it easily from your windows or yard area, or spend time relaxing in it as well as working then it might be more trouble than its worth.

Have you considered taking out some of the paths and making bigger blocks on the north side, with smaller beds on the south side? This will give you room for your bigger plants (like corn and tomatoes) but still give you plenty of sun for your herbs and other small, sun lovers.

Are you planning to have any perennials, such as asparagus, rhubarb, raspberries, etc.? That might make a difference, too. NIce plan, hope you post pictures :)

I'd put stepping stones near or at those corners for the times you need to quickly get from one area to the next. It is a bit of a maze of a design.

It seems pretty involved. At 50x50, I couldn't quite figure out how wide the pathways would be? I made the mistake of having them only a couple feet wide and it makes it difficult to haul compost/soil to refill beds each year. Also, what Mandolls said. Will it be visible?

Look around at different pictures here (if they are still here). Some start with a cute design and end up with a jungle! Or google pottage images to get some ideas of what the design will look like fully grown. NANCY

While potager beds are normally 3' to 4' deep, so they can be reached from both sides...at 50' x 50' it seems like much of your garden space is taken up by pathways.

Have you seen Jennifer Bartley's potager? She uses vertical planting structures in the middle of the beds and then plants around them. Would something like this work for you?

I would probably plant herbs in the center beds, with roses in the middle. Then if you have room left over on the outside of the garden, maybe add one more perimeter bed of soft fruits, perennials flowers, apple cordons, etc. But that's just me :)

I would agree with other commenters about the number of paths. The veggies will grow out and over the paths by end of summer creating a jungle. I once did a cross design that I really liked but the kids started leaping over the beds instead of walking around. I kept that design only one season and reworked with better access the next year. My garden now is actually a lot like lavender lass' design except I have a larger center circle without the 4 inner beds.

The other thing to consider is that you will need to rotate your crops to avoid buildup of unfriendly insects and diseases. So you won't be able to keep the same section for the same plant family year after year.