Inspiration for a large farmhouse full sun courtyard brick water fountain landscape in New York.

Mikaela Ruth http://www.mikaelaruth.com
Inspiration for a country detached greenhouse remodel in Vancouver

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.

The unique domed Berry Bowl is the terminus of the garden's central pathway. Robert Benson Photography
Inspiration for a huge farmhouse partial sun gravel vegetable garden landscape in New York for summer.

Antique granite cobbles with a mill wheel to mark the intersecting pathways create the floor of this vegetable garden. Recycled granite curbing pulled up from city streets was used in creating the steps seen in the background.

Photos by John Kelly of LandscapeConsultation.com
Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in Boston

Photo of a large traditional partial sun backyard mulch formal garden in New York.

Jalapeño grown organically in a 7-gallon Smart Pot. This plant produced 69 jalapeños! Photo by Steve Masley
Example of an eclectic home design design in San Francisco

raised planters are lined with a heavy duty pool liner to separate the soils from the cedar boxes.
Design ideas for a small traditional full sun courtyard stone vegetable garden landscape in Seattle.

Lovely circle of stone makes for a beautiful herb garden in this rural neighborhood. The texture and structure make for year round interest, and local blond sandstone used extensively in the garden, ties it all together.

Brad Paul - GuruHabits.com
Inspiration for a small contemporary full sun side yard vegetable garden landscape in Las Vegas.

Brad Paul - GuruHabits.com
Photo of a small contemporary full sun side yard vegetable garden landscape in Las Vegas.

Photo of a traditional vegetable garden landscape in New York.

Nick McCullough
Design ideas for a transitional full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Columbus.

This project represents the evolution of a 10 acre space over more than three decades. It began with the pool and space around it. As the vegetable garden grew, the orchard was established and the display gardens blossomed. The prairie was restored and a kitchen was added to complete the space. Although, it continues to change with a pond next on the design plan. Photo credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

Katrina L. Coombs Los Angeles client's existing northeast facing planter thrives.
Photo of a contemporary landscaping in Los Angeles.

Nick McCullough
Design ideas for a transitional full sun backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Columbus.

We worked with the owner of this Mercer Island home to completely transform his large, shady backyard and unproductive vegetable garden into a sunny productive space. The new extensive annual vegetable garden features deep raised beds, wide pathways, small production greenhouse, a tool shed, rain garden and patio for entertaining. The site will also includes native plantings, cut-flower garden and a small farm stand that the owner will stock with the extra bounty from his garden. Hilary Dahl

copyright 2017 Glenna Partridge Urban Vegetable Garden. A mixture of ornamental and edible plants with a central area of raised vegetable beds for easy care maintenance.