Potager gardens combine ornamental plants with edible ones for a beautiful and organized aesthetic
Designing a potager garden involves combining both practical and beautiful elements to create a productive and visually appealing space. Here are some steps to guide you through the process:
- Assess Your Space: Determine the size and shape of your garden area. Consider factors such as sunlight exposure, soil quality, and drainage. Potagers like a lot of sun.
- Define Pathways and Borders: Pathways and borders to define the layout of a potager. Use materials like bricks, stones, or gravel to create clear pathways and delineate different planting areas.
- Divide the Space: Divide your garden into sections or raised beds for different types of plants. Organize planting beds in geometric shapes or symmetrical patterns for a classic potager look, or go for a more organic, rustic layout.
- Plan Planting Beds: Designate planting areas based on plant height, sun exposure, and water needs. Group plants with similar requirements together to make maintenance and watering easier.
- Include Vertical Elements: Include trellises, arbors, or obelisks for climbing plants like peas, beans, or cucumbers. They maximize space and add visual interest to every potager.
- Integrate Ornamental Features: Blend ornamental plants, flowers, and decorative elements like sculptures, birdbaths, or garden art into your design. It's expected that perennials or annuals will mix with herbs and vegetables.
- Add Functional Elements: Incorporate practical features like compost bins, rain barrels, or seating areas into your design to make the garden both productive and comfortable.
- Select Plants Wisely: Choose plants that are well-suited to our climate, soil type, and your available space. A mix of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers creates texture and diversity. Pay attention to color, and form (i.e. growing habit) when selecting plants and arranging them within your potager.
- Regular Maintenance: Plan for regular maintenance tasks such as watering, weeding, pruning, and harvesting to keep your potager healthy and attractive.
This article shows you an inspiring potager garden and provides info on how to design this in your own outdoors. Farmer's Almanac also has this article with excellent photos, a good video, and expert advice on how to plan and grow a potager garden.
The Elegant and Edible Garden book will have you drooling (and dreaming) over potager gardens.