Grow a Vegetable Garden Almost Anywhere

Tomatoes at one time were used strictly as ornamentals in gardens, since the tomato was thought to be toxic. Today it is one of the most popular home vegetable garden crops. There are numerous reasons for planting vegetables as landscape plants. Not only will they save you money, but the quality of home-grown produce is often difficult to match.

You will have to water, fertilize and care for an existing landscape. The time, energy and money spent can be directed to producing food crops, while not eliminating the basic landscape. There are some problems - vegetables are sun lovers, requiring a minimum of six hours of sun daily. They should be planted in soil free from competing tree and shrub roots.

This means the north side of the house or beneath a large shade tree is not the ideal spot for a garden. More attention will have to be given to insect and disease control. Some insecticides and fungicides commonly used on ornamentals may be too dangerous to use on vegetables. Always read the label before applying to make sure you use the chemical consistent with manufacturer recommended use.

A border planting of carrots with their dark green, fern-like foliage can add interest to an ornamental garden. Other vegetables offering interest as border plants include beets with their green leaves with purple veins as well as turnips, collards and kale. Leaf lettuce with its many forms and colors adds interest as borders, but is useful in other areas of the garden. Endive, likewise, can be an interesting border plant. The large leaves and bold form of cabbage make it a fascinating accent plant in the landscape. It ranges in color from blue-green to red and has interesting forms of round bail, flat top or conical.

The crinkled leaf savoy type has its own particular form. Herbs are also interesting landscape plants. Try parsley, chives and tall growing dill, to mention a few, for good looks and good uses in the kitchen. Swiss chard continues to produce all season long. To use, simply remove the older, outer stalks. Rhubarb chard, with its bright red stalks and green leaves is truly an edible ornamental. Pole beans and cucumbers can be trained on tellises to produce landscape screens while providing the gardener with an abundance of vegetables.

Organic gardeners list a number of vegetable flower combinations for natural insect control. Garlic, onion and chives are highly prized insect repellants. Your own imagination can be your guide in using vegetables as landscape plants. Choose vegetables that you and your family prefer. Many gardeners plant vegetables in special constructed raised beds, using railroad ties or telephone poles as structures for holding soil. These structures offer the gardener the opportunity of adding six to eight inches of good garden soil to the structure for high production in a limited space.

Many apartment dwellers and home gardeners are finding that certain vegetables perform well in individual pots or planters.Regardless of your space, try planting vegetables for ornamental as well as economic benefit.

Fine Gardening, Accessible Gardening: Tips & Techniques, by Joan Woy.