Creating a Patchwork Garden: Little Gardens Inspired from Quilts

Gardening and quilting often go hand in hand. Both activities require careful planning and involve the use of color. Many times gardens are used as a source of inspiration for designing quilts. But did you know that you can also be inspired to create a garden from quilts? Patchwork gardens can be visually appealing, fit into nearly any landscape, and are both fun and easy to create.

When creating a patchwork garden, careful planning is essential. A well-designed patchwork garden is much more attractive, as its patterns, colors, and plants must all work well together. A well-planned patchwork garden will also provide nonstop color throughout the growing season. To help make planning easier, try using quilting blocks or your favorite quilt as a reference. Just like a patchwork quilt, this type of garden plot is made up of miniature garden beds. While it isn't a requirement, the best way to create a patchwork garden is by implementing raised beds. For ease of movement and maintenance, construct small beds, approximately two to three-foot blocks, depending on space allowance. You could even use containers if needed. Of course, if space allows, larger four to six-foot blocks can be used. A great way to add basic patchwork patterns within your blocks is by using an old, small wooden ladder or wagon wheel as a guide. Simply place your desired plantings between the rungs or spokes. Alternatively, you could try creating small raised beds of varying shapes and sizes to create interesting patterns; otherwise, you can rely on plants for achieving this effect. Placing attractive pathways in between, whether they consist of well-manicured grass or mulch, will help enhance its appearance and overall patchwork effect as well.

While patterns should be well thought out, so should color. If not done right, color combinations can make the patchwork garden look busy and unattractive. However, with careful forethought and the use of a color wheel or color scheme from your favorite quilt, a patchwork garden can become a beautiful, charming landscape addition. Remember, color is all around us, from the clothes we wear to our home décor. Even our landscape surrounds us with color. This too is another great source for color ideas. You can also rely solely on your own personal tastes in creating pleasing color combinations. However, be sure not only to choose colors that are pleasing on the eyes but also those that are compatible to your home and surrounding landscape. The patchwork garden should blend into the scenery, not stick out like a sore thumb. When you find the perfect color combinations for your patchwork garden, repeat them within each plot or block design.

As for plants, shoot for low maintenance and possibly native varieties, or at least those that mimic your native growing requirements. Give each patchwork design its own personality, but try to keep at least one type of plant per block. For instance, one block might consist of various types of marigolds while another might house a pleasing mix of colorful zinnias. You can select plants of the same species or similar traits with different colors, forms, and textures. Interspersing various colors, shapers, and textures from like plants helps to create a more harmonious pattern effect. Anyone who loves to garden can take cues from quilts to create a charming patchwork garden. There's no better way to blanket your garden beds in color than by adding a well-designed patchwork garden, inspired from quilts.