With the proper planning, design, and upkeep, it is no longer necessary to hide your vegetable garden away from view. In fact, a well thought through vegetable garden design can produce a vegetable garden that is as lovely as any flower garden while at the same time providing food for the table.
Ideas for a Great Vegetable Garden Design

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image: backyard vegetable gardenThe root of vegetable garden design problems typically stems from poor planning before the first spade of dirt is turned. Several considerations must be taken into account before you run to your local nursery or supply store to get seeds or plants for your vegetable garden.

First, the successful gardener considers the space. It will become apparent that with smaller gardens, you cannot plant vegetables that take up large areas. For instance, I once planted 6 cabbage plants that, when mature, took up an 8 by 10 plot. Another time, I planted 23 tomato plants, only to see them totally overtake my 20 foot by 15 foot garden.

One way to counteract the problem of having enough space for your garden is to plant some vegetables above the ground and others below the ground so that they are in close proximity to one another.

One year my garden space was a mound 6 feet around by approximately one foot high. In the top middle, I planted two big leaf cabbage plants. Around the edges I planted 4 potato plants about one foot from the edge. While the cabbage and potato plants are growing, you should trim the potato bush lightly away from your cabbages. Harvest the cabbages first, leaving the potato plants to thrive.

Another space saver is to plant vine plants, such as cucumbers on a string hung from a fence or pole. When you grow vine plants, however, you need to make sure that you remove dead leafs and vines on a daily basis so that you prevent ground rot and control where those pesky vines grow!
The Appeal of Quick Growing Vegetables

image: cabbage vegetable garden
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Now that your vegetable garden design is starting to make more sense, another gardening tip can be articulated, namely, planting quick growing veggies at various times during the planting season.

Spinach is a good choice because it is quick growing and also has the advantage of growing in cooler weather. This means you can plant a small patch of spinach that will grow first and then try planting radishes or beets in the same plot later.

At the end of your growing season when it's starting to get cooler, try planting another batch of spinach. Some vine plants like beans or peas, for instance, will grow quickly on trellises. The wall of vines provides shade. This shade comes in handy when you grow a plant nearby that only needs 8 or fewer hours of sunlight.

Tomato plants fit this bill. Try placing the tomato plants two or three feet away from your trellises, giving the tomato's enough room to thrive. Use these keys for your vegetable garden design and you will be pleased with the results.
Quick Spreading Vegetables

How about those plants that thrive and spread year after year? Strawberries, for instance, can take over any garden. Indeed, a while ago I planted three tiny strawberry plants that turned into 60 plants within two years! If you love strawberry short cake, as much as I do, you're going to make sure you plant some strawberry plants.

Be sure to plan an area large enough for the strawberries to spread, because they will! For example, I made an 8-foot round raised spot that was covered and overflowing with strawberries within a few years. Building on this theme, it can be noted that strawberries can also be used as ground cover for any area of your yard or garden that has empty spaces.
Vegetable Garden Design: Conclusion

I hope you can employ some of these ideas in your next garden. Remember - - the most successful vegetable garden begins with a well-planned vegetable garden design!

Copyright 2009 - Denny Soinski. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and give the author credit.
About the Author

Denny Soinski writes about garden decor, gardening, bronze garden sculptures, water fountains, and outdoor metal sculptures. For more information, please visit http://www.water-fountains-and-garden-decor.com right away!