Design help for a cause!

9 years ago

I volunteer for a local non-profit and have stepped up to design a vegetable garden for our local food bank and homeless shelter. The photos below are sketches of the general design and dimensions of the proposed (but not yet built) garden. I am charged with deciding what to plant where. A 6 ft. fence will surround the garden to keep deer out. We would like to have a mix of vegetables, herbs and cutting flowers. We only have a 3 year commitment for the site, so long-lived perennials are not a priority. High-yielding, easy growing and forgiving are important, as volunteers of all ages (children included) will be the stewards of the garden. Most of the growing space is in containers due to the site being on graded soil over granite slab. All growing methods must be 100% organic.

Thus far, I have the following in mind but would love any and all input!

Veggies: kale, swiss chard, cucumber, zucchini, summer squash, green beans (filet), tomatoes (plum and cherry), Japanese eggplant, carrot, radish, cabbage and head lettuce.

Herbs: lavender and sage (to anchor the corners), rosemary (as an annual), chives, dill, basil.

Flowers: nasturtium, marigold, zinnia, phlox, cosmos, coneflower, allium, lupine and monarda. This is where I'm struggling the most.

Lastly, my garden is always rife with chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits and groundhogs which I struggle with most seasons. Not knowing if this site is similar, I'm tempted to recommend planting a border of onions around the outside perimeter of the fence to deter rodents. Thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Off the top of my head, the veggies with the best bang for space buck are pole beans. Fortex I like best, but more available is Kentucky Blue. My beans need rabbit protection (chicken wire). Have you posted this in the Veggie Forum?

tj
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
You have to include sunflowers in your cut flower area!! Kids love growing sunflowers, they are fast and easy, come in a range of sizes (although I would include at least a few mammoth ones) and they make great cut flowers.
Related Professionals
Annapolis Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Charleston Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Peoria Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Springfield Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fargo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Jose Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Temecula Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Valdosta Landscape Contractors · Owensboro Landscape Contractors · Bangor Landscape Contractors · Lawrenceburg Architects & Building Designers · Niles Architects & Building Designers · Sioux Falls Architects & Building Designers · Phoenix Architects & Building Designers · Kalispell Architects & Building Designers
User
9 years ago
A 6 ft. fence will surround the garden to keep deer out.

No, it won't. You need 8-foot fencing.
suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore) thanked User
suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
Original Author
9 years ago
I totally agree that a 6 ft fence won't keep determined deer out, but the church who owns the land will not consider anything taller. It's the best option we have, unfortunately. I'm hopeful it will be a deterrent, although to be honest I am far more concerned about rodents than deer, as there are very few deer and loads of rodents.

As for sunflowers, I've not been able to successfully grown them due to an abundance of chipmunks, squirrels, groundhogs and rabbits.
party_music50
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
For veggies, what about peppers and beets? For herbs, what about parsley?!

Nasturtiums aren't great cutting flowers -- but both the flowers and leaves are edible, so you might put them with the herbs.

I notice you've included some perennials in your flowers list, but my favs for cutting are zinnias and dahlias -- they're long-lasting cut flowers and the more you cut, the more flowers you'll have. Asters, rudbeckia (black-eyed susan), and echinacea (coneflower) are also long-lasting when cut. The sunflowers recommendation is a great one -- but I've never dealt with groundhogs. :p

ETA: maybe add snow peas? -- they're fast-growing. And I think you should plant onions regardless! Since you'll have the plot for 3 years, how about planting some garlic this autumn too? :) And if you have the space, some pumpkins for the kids. :)