You’ll find this feature very handy, making it easy to look back at past configurations and notes to see what did and didn’t work in your design or to help plan crop rotations. It’s cheap and portable, will serve you many seasons, and will act as a journal from one season to another. Best soil locations for specific crops-for example, is the depth and tilth of one location more favorable for certain crops like carrots or other root crops? Is one spot stonier, meaning that a large plant with deep roots (i.e., broccoli, tomatoes, corn) would be more suited rather than root crops that would be deformed and stunted by such soil?Īn inexpensive graph paper notebook makes a great garden layout planner that will also work as a journal and a record of past gardens.Ī simple graph paper notebook is a wonderful tool for planning your vegetable garden.

Companion planting issues-may include researched, planned companion planting but also may include beneficial or symbiotic planting arrangements.

Will plants require support such as staking or fencing? Do you plan to trellis any vegetables?.

Plant growth type/habit-Bushy? Trailing? Vining? Low? High?.

How wide do you need your aisles to accommodate any equipment you may use during the growing season (for example-will you use a rototiller for weed control and cultivation? Or a mower between rows or beds?) Mulching paper or fabric?.

How far apart your rows should be-how much aisle space is needed (this may be different for different plants).

Ideal plant spacing for all your different types of plants.

No matter which of the following methods or resources you decide to use, there are some key pieces of information you’ll need to know. And if your home is more casual, a meandering organic flow will suit the style beautifully.This garden is a blank slate ready for a good plan and some plants! If your house is more modern, consider keeping the pathways and containers in a straight grid or geometric layout. Allow for the architecture to dictate the look and layout. We recommend the style of your edible landscape to mirror the style of the home. Now you’ll know how much space you’ll have for the garden containers – which could be against a wall, terraced up or down a hill, or floating in the open. When planning the layout, make sure to allow for about a 24″ pathway in order to walk through the garden and reach each marked plant. You’ll want to make sure you’re able to access all the edible plants. Great locations include the pathway to your front door, a portion of your backyard, or the entire open land. Walk around your home to spot any unused spaces that have room for a box or two. Let’s start with where you plan to have your garden. LANDSCAPE DESIGN How Do You Plan an Edible Landscape? We also hope that someone who is going to eat their own produce may be a bit less liberal with the toxic chemicals on it.

The big bonus for the environment is that the food you grow doesn’t cause any pollution in transportation. Plus, the time you spend gardening gets you outside, which means you’re not using your home’s utilities. And if you need a little more convincing, check out our Top 3 Reasons to Consider Going Plant-Based. If you’re an organic produce eater like us, you know it is the freshest, most nutritious food you will ever eat. WHY SHOULD WE MAKE AN EDIBLE GARDEN?īy now, even urban dwellers are growing their own lettuce, tomatoes, and peas in pots on rooftops, in sun-filled spaces, and in front yards. Although we tend to think of our home’s outdoor spaces mostly as a place to lounge, eat and retreat, look at it as an opportunity to maximize your backyard, patio, courtyard, or even your front yard.

Edible garden planner