SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: the back yard requires a grass surface for the young children to play on. For adults, the raised Sproutbox (TM) beds make for an efficient use of space, and they make gardening more pleasant at any age - no back-breaking stooping for garden work! The S/SW exposure of this garden means that a variety of edible plants and ornamental flowers can readily be grown from spring through summer and into fall.

These Rudbeckias are hardy in our climate, and do very well in a sunny exposure. Rudbeckia were planted in the Fall of 2024, and overwintered well in Sproutbox container. They even grow exuberantly in Pembroke (Canada zone 4b/USDA zone 3b)! However, the orange trailing nasturtium to the L are annuals, and will be replanted next spring.

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.nordentravel.com

Hardscape goes in first! 2024: a just-finished installation of PurePave (TM) permeable pavement, a surface of Canadian granite embedded in a special resin. Performs beautifully in Ottawa's challenging 4-season climate.: tested at the U of Ottawa and the National Research Council . Rainwater percolates directly through the granite/resin, gets cleansed in a gravel bed just underneath, before it goes down to the groundwater aquifer underneath - so good for our environment! See the Rain Ready website - depending on where you live in the city of Ottawa, you could qualify for substantial rebates, both for a landscape design (up to $500) AND for approved rainwater elements you add to your garden (up to $5000). Sproutboxes in the rear are filled with temporary autumn mums, but will have edibles throughout the seasons next year.

Fiesta coloured flowers in mid summer of Year 1 - growing in Sproutbox (TM) raised beds.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard wood fence landscaping in Ottawa for summer.

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

Eclectic dining room photo in Other

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

Alpine Strawberries are extremely hardy (zone 3), and tolerate being grown in containers or in raised beds, and can overwinter in the Ottawa area. (This is not the case for the larger strawberries, nearly all of which which are only hardy to Canada zone 4/5; if grown in the ground - but they generally do not overwinter well in raised containers). These Alpine strawberries were planted in the fall of 2024, and overwintered well in the Sproutbox containers.

An edible daylily, which provides colour both to your garden and your plate. It also serves as an attractive table decoration in the fall. Furthermore, they are adaptable plants which soak up water after downpours of rain, but also survive during hot summer days when there is a drought. They are ideal for rain gardens.This one is descended from the native daylily, and is tough as nails, as well as being beautiful. What's not to love?

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

Blake Civiello Architecture makes regular visits to consult camp operators on green building methods, space planning, and cold weather insulation among other architecture-related questions. Photos by Norden Camp www.NordenTravel.com

In a tight space, it is necessary to conceal some hardscape elements e.g. the air conditioner. Here, the latter almost disappears in a froth of Cosmos, surrounding it at a regulation distance. The Cosmos also act as pollinator magnets, so this space is multi-functional.

Cherry tomatoes ripen in the sunshine, ready for the picking, just a few months after planting.
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Ottawa.

Annual zinnias bursting out of a Sproutbox raised garden bed. All plants in this garden are selected to be child-friendly, including for pre-schoolers.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) have been used in Oriental cuisines for centuries. The young buds are edible, provided they are grown in uncontaminated, organic soil. They come in a wide variety of colours, ranging from brilliant reds to cool whites and even bicolours! The flowers could also be used as table decoration for a tropical theme, but remember that the individual flowers only last for a day! On the other hand, the plant as a whole has an extended period of bloom, spanning from July to September in our growing zone.