Harlow Kitchen Garden
Today I’m in the backyard vegetable garden of Jan and Gene Harlow. Their garden is the perfect example of the benefits a small vegetable garden can provide. Growing vegetables is becoming more and more popular as gardeners discover they don’t need a large garden for a bountiful harvest. The herb garden is located at the entrance. Decorative plant tags identify add a touch rustic elegance. Imagine being able to simply snip off fresh French tarragon for that dinner recipe. These flowering chives are flavorful as well as ornamental. The raised planting beds are separated using grass walkways to provide stability and keep their shoes clean on wet days. The beds are framed using boards or this attractive stone set on edge. The beds are about four feet wide and easy to reach in from both sides. Pine straw mulch is used to maintain precious soil moisture. Ripening heirloom tomatoes each have their own stake to make tying off easier and keep the garden in order. Look at this bamboo and string trellis eagerly awaiting the beans to begin their climb. The entire garden is productive, even the compost bin. Gene lets these volunteer pumpkin squash enjoy growing in the compost. And to personalize the garden Jan and Gene have added sculptures and birdhouses. And advice for all gardeners is not to neglect garden chores. Pulling weeds when they are small takes care of problems later in the season. There’s no doubt that nothing beats that big taste from fresh vegetables grown in a small garden. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.