I don’t know what the weather is like at your place, but it has sure been a couple of wet and windy days around here. Luckily, I like working in crappy weather. No one else it out, there are no annoying leaf blowers to listen too, and I feel like a real gardener when I work outside in the rain and cold. Weird huh? Maybe I belong in Maine.
Operation pull up all the ivy from the hillside is in full swing. I am honestly still baffled as to why everyone hates ivy. I LOVE it! Just not where it’s currently residing in my landscape. 🙂 I’m hoping to have it all pulled up from the hillside by the end of next week. This is the first place we have lived where I’ve had to pull up ivy, and you know what? It’s not that bad.
Removing the ivy and getting all the leaves and twigs raked up on the side yard will give those Leland cypress privacy trees a good chance at putting on a little weight {and height} this summer. Mrs. Active Wear and I both planted Leland cypress trees between along our property lines in our last neighborhood and I was amazed at how fast they grew. With any luck, the side should have a full on privacy screen in about 5 years.
I’ve just begun toying with the idea of installing 3 large garden boxes alongside the side yard instead of creating one huge garden plot up above. One the plus side there would be easy access to a garden hose, the garden a few feet from the door and I could actually see everything I am growing in those boxes from my kitchen window.
I plan on purchasing a garden bench this summer {there’s a guy at the Farmer’s Market who makes them} and setting it up right where I have the giant galvanized bin right now. So, having my garden boxes just steps away would be super convenient and it would also tie the whole area together.
Plus, since I plan on growing all my tomatoes, cucumbers and beans along the back of the house {where we get the most sun} I really don’t have to worry about the garden boxes being in a semi-shady spot. The side yard gets the same amount of sunlight as the upper lawn, so I think at this point, maybe it should be about aesthetics. 
I’ll also be growing my herbs, potatoes, lettuce and onions along the back of the house, so really it just comes down to how big do I want this garden to be? These are things I never really thought about until I actually started to look around and work outside in the garden {which really, has just bee the last few weeks}.
Spring is right around the corner, and if I don’t get this garden plot figured out here pretty soon, I’m going to be stuck with a garden I may not like. Help! Do you think it makes sense to have a garden just off the kitchen? Or should I put it up on the hill where it will be out of sight?
Opinions welcome!
~Mavis
This years garden is being sponsored by the awesome folks at Botanical Interests Seed Company. You can check out their website HERE, order their new 2015 Garden Seed Catalog, or see the seeds I’ll be growing in my garden this year HERE.
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felicia says
My garden is right outside my door, about ten feet away. I love being able to run out quick while my kids stay in, whether its to grab something for dinner or a quick weed pulling session. We have space behind our garage (our property is long and narrow) that the only reason its not the garden is its that much further from the house, hoses etc.
Karen N says
I love the idea of having a garden right outside the door!
Heidi P says
A garden just out the side door sounds great. Depending on your goals for this house most likely depends on where you put your garden. If you choose the side yard does that mean more mowing for You? Also, does your neighborhood assoc. allow gardens visible from the street? I’m certain you’ve checked on this CC&R already but thought I’d throw it out there just incase.
Mavis Butterfield says
I have noticed several raised garden boxes that are visible from the street in my neighborhood. So I’m guessing it’s fine. But now that you mention it I will have to go and look. Also, I’m not in charge of mowing. Ha! The boys are. 🙂
Stacey says
What, put the garden out of sight? A garden is a beautiful thing, especially the way you make it look!
Diana says
I like the garden-on-the side plan much better than across the back. The side spot with raised beds looks more appealing and practical, plus I’d love to be able to see it from the kitchen window.
K Chastain says
The side yard gets my vote for all of the reasons you mentioned. Why hide your garden? Put a bistro table and chairs out there and enjoy!
sclindah says
If you learn about permaculture, the rule of thumb is to plant in zone 1 or closest to where you are and walk and go to every day so you can keep your eye on it. Definitely right outside your door/window! I think vegetable gardens are simply beautiful! I love to look at them and your garden articles from people all over the world!
PattyB says
I think ivy is higher maintenance than a Wisteria vine. Ivy needs to be trimmed every week. Another reason I hate it. I tried to pull it out of an area one time, it kept coming back.
Lana says
Just what I came here to say! You can never get rid of that stuff! Every bit of root will regrow. I have so many regrets for planting it in our yard.
Marg Tuinstra says
Put your garden where you want it, in the most sunshine is a biggie!!
Heather says
I would put it near the kitchen where you can enjoy the view and easily get to the food.
Claudette says
Being able to see the garden from the kitchen sounds lovely. Plus, it sounds like it will be easier to run out and grab something from the garden while you’re cooking and maintain the garden, which are both good. Another thing that occurs to me is that space seems flatter in the pictures, so the vegetable beds might be easier to water. (The distribution will be more even.) is that a concern?
Mavis Butterfield says
I think the location would make them easier for sure. And yes, the area is pretty flat.
Jane says
Our garden is just a short walk across the yard. I like that it’s close but not SO close that we’re tracking in mess. Having herbs and potted veggies super close would be awesome, though. I try to keep my herbs close so they’re handy. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out and I bet you can’t, too! 😉
Robin says
In an online backyard farming class I took, the instructor talked a lot about frequency and proximity. She would ask how far away are you placing something and how often will you have to visit it? If it is somewhere that you will frequent often, as I know your garden will be, it should be close. Even though you are only talking about your backyard, I think it should be out that back door. And how great will it be to see your garden outside your kitchen window! Just my 2 cents worth. Enjoy!!!
cambria says
I always think the closer to the kitchen the better
Judy says
Hi Mavis.. I think a garden within reach of a kitchen is an awesome Idea..not sure pulling all the Ivy out is though, my reasons are that it will retain the soil from erosion if thats a down slope area, also it chokes out weeds so that would be one area you don’t have to weed, and last is that its easy to contain, just use the Weed whacker! 😉
I like all the space you have to garden and I love your new cypress trees.
Cecily says
I love having my main garden so close to the house. I have five separate garden spaces with the largest (13 raised beds) being about 30 feet from my front door (I’m on 3 acres) and 15 feet from a water source. After much trial and error I have placed perennial plants i.e. raspberries, blueberries, artichokes, fruit trees, in my furthest growing areas as they don’t need as much attention.
Kayla says
I vote for the garden to be near the kitchen. You wouldn’t put your pantry in the farthest room from the kitchen, so why put your garden far away from the kitchen? Your garden always looks awesome. I think it would be so satisfying to look out your kitchen window and see the labor of love. I vote closer to the kitchen!
Gwen in L.A. says
I’m a great believer in ‘near the kitchen” vegetables and herbs.. Last year we had winter squash on the patio trellis 🙂 Looked great Usually the big squash and sweet potatoes are at the back of the garden, farthest from the house. This year, we could tell when mildew first invaded on the vertical squash plants, treat it and they paid off with a bumper crop.
How about a mix of close to the house, and some lower maintenance plants farther away?
Lisa says
Mavis, I’m finding your blog really inspiring. I’m in the UK and my garden, like yours, is shaded by tall trees so it’s interesting to see how you get on.
I’m itching to get out and get started, but the weather’s too cold for now; we have a lot of frost. However I am going to try some winter sowing in plastic milk containers, for the very first time!
Lisa
Mavis Butterfield says
You can do it Lisa. I consider my shaded garden space a good challenge. 🙂
Meredith says
Hi Mavis! I LOVE Potager gardens! It is french for a kitchen garden, but one that is especially pleasing to the eye. Last year was a simple test garden…to see if my black thumb was really because of the Arizona weather or me. Well, thanks to your help and our wonderful weather, everything went so well. We tore that all up and are building a potager garden, one that is functional AND beautiful! Who says the beds have to be a 4×8 rectangle anyway? Search on pinterest and you will see what I mean.I even saw one in Williamsburg. I’m including a link to get you started. Ours will be a square…the greenhouse in the back corner facing our family room window with L shaped beds (with finials or hobby lobby crystal door knobs as finials <3) that are three feet wide because I am short lol. It will give me room for a focal point in the center…a fountain maybe? Cutting flowers will be on either side of the greenhouse and probably a border of flowers around the outer edge. Then a light arch trellis with flowers growing in the gaps between that and the beds. I will actually use less space than I did, have more square footage to plant and get to decorate it too! Your layout is perfect for a potager, especially since you are growing on your patio. It would grow food, and be a nice place to sit out and enjoy the beauty of it!
Meredith says
Whoops! The link! Have fun searching! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/125326802102846488/
Mere
Brian says
I like the idea of a kitchen garden. Staggered growth would give you salad all growing season. I would put some herbs in the side garden too so they’re closer at hand. It would be like looking out your window at the spice cabinet. You could use the other herb garden as your bulk herbs you plan on trading or drying too.
Gail Nowakowsky says
Definitely outside your door- you will find it much handier and you keep your gardens so neat that it would never become an eyesore!! There is something very appealing- both visual and convenient- about having it near the house. Make it a true “kitchen” garden.
Ali says
I’m for a potager style garden outside your kitchen too. If you do raised beds, the construction is less labor intensive. My garden is so far from my house that I put my most used herbs in pots on the deck (much fewer burned dinners now ’cause who can run out to the garden and just snip basil).