Vegetable Beds

What would make things easier? What were the annoyances you encountered again and again during the past year? Did you hate having to wander out behind the garage every time you wanted to pick something to eat? Was it impossible to transplant potted plants into larger containers? To make it easier to harvest edibles, see if there’s a good growing space near the kitchen or barbecue (don’t overlook a front or side yard). Or maybe convert low-growing edible beds to raised beds.

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A small lawn adjacent to the fireplace area makes a soft landing for bare feet. The grass is tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), which doesn’t require heavy watering.

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Edible beds with inviting paths. Kids get excited about eating their vegetables when they’ve helped grow them in their backyard. Growing a mix of fun edibles (like sugar snap peas and mint), soft and touchable plants (like lamb’s ear), and fresh flowers meant for cutting means there is always something interesting to do in the garden. Stock an area nearby with kid-size watering cans and make clearly marked paths so kids know where to walk (and where not to).

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