Vegetable Garden Design

The French term potager (poh-tah-zhay) means kitchen garden. The potager of long ago incorporated elegant, formal design. The English of long ago used the term parterre (par-tehr) which literally meant on the ground. To the English, it meant any ornamental garden with paths between the beds. By combining the two gardens, potager and parterre, a large, organized and formal vegetable garden design appears.

The Plot of Land

The potager vegetable garden design was traditionally very large. Limited space may not make that feasible today, so adjust the available plot to fit the design. Plan a mini potager by reducing the number of repeating vegetables. Measure a square space for the garden and divide it into quadrants. Measure the width of the paths. The two path lines intersect in the middle of the garden. The paths in this design were made of flagstone, and then the French planted creeping thyme between the stones for a softer appearance. If the cost of flagstone is too prohibitive, use wood chip mulch or gravel for the pathway. Don’t forget the fencing around the garden. To do it the traditional way, erect picket fencing. Install two gates directly across from each other and include arching trellises over them.

Too Many Vegetables

The potager requires a great number of specific vegetables. The garden may produce more vegetables than the average family can consume today. But remember, it also functions as a flower garden. Cut flowers for indoors adds to the versatility of this garden. Share excess vegetables with friends and family, or take them to the local food bank. Start a community garden and beautify a city block at the same time. Use this plant list:

• 4 Moonflowers
• 1 Seed packet carrots
• 6 jalapeno
• 10 Chards
• 36 Cabbages
• 4 Boxwoods
• 1 Packet spinach
• 96 French marigolds
• 6 Tomatoes
• 1 Seed packet pole beans
• 8 Cherry Tomatoes
• 2 Seed packet peas
• 2 Hills cucumbers
• 72 Strawberries
• 8 Bell peppers
• 1 Seed packet bush beans

The 36 cabbages should outline each quadrant. Feel free to substitute herbs such as basil, rosemary, tarragon, lavender, or parsley. Repeat plantings of 12 french marigolds. Zinnias or Cosmos, or any other favorite cutting flower may be planted in half the designated sections for variety. Plant the moonflower to grow up the arched trellises over the gates. The four boxwoods go at the inner corners of each quadrant where the paths intersect. Plant the rest of the garden as desired.

This beautiful vegetable garden design promotes community when vegetables are shared with neighbors and charities. Plant a potager and invite the neighbors over for a barbeque. Of course, it’s the kitchen garden that’s the main attraction. Gardeners may find more satisfaction in growing and sharing the vegetables of such a garden than in eating the bounty themselves.

References

Jimerson, Doug: Beds & Borders: Better Homes and Garden: 2009