need vegetable garden disguise ideas

[Brady]

I have an average, square shaped city size backyard and plan to put in a
small vegetable plot this year. Does anyone have any clever ideas about
how to 'soften' the look of it? I've thought of planting perennials in
front of it, but wondered if anyone else has some interesting ideas. I
would like to end up with an area that looks like a nice planting, not like
- oh, there's the tomato plot. Thanks!

Becky
zone 6b

[Chris French & Helen Johnson]

In article <01bd3266$fb21ef00$be6098d0@bradyhome>, Brady
<tbr...@webzone.net> writes

what about trying a potager where veg are intermingled with flowers?We
have made raised veg beds with bark shaving parks. I think these look
atractive in their own right. we have painted the wood with green
woodsyain to blend, and will put up arches and trellises as well.also
"leg over" apples can make nice boundaries if you went for a parterre
look-the gardens in Villandry in the Loire are a stunning example.
--
Chris French and Helen Johnson
Leeds

[carpenter]

Try interplanting vegetables and ornamentals in "flower" beds. Many hot
peppers ar very attractive. Carrots, parsley, scallions etc. have
interesting folliage. With a little imagination, you can have the best of
both. Of course, okra won't blend in, but most others will. You can even
use pole beans on a trellis for shade if you have the right place.
John

[Jean Mahavier]

>Try interplanting vegetables and ornamentals in "flower" beds. Many hot
>peppers ar very attractive. Carrots, parsley, scallions etc. have
>interesting folliage. With a little imagination, you can have the best of
>both. Of course, okra won't blend in, but most others will. You can even

Indeed. Our pepper plants (various chilis) were gorgeous this past
year, the neighborhood children actually caressed the growing peppers!
(Well, our only sunlight is right by the street!) And carrots and
parsley are really pretty, besides tasting great. Garlic chives are
pretty too.

[Gary Cooper]

On Thu, 5 Feb 1998, Brady wrote:

> I have an average, square shaped city size backyard and plan to put in a
> small vegetable plot this year. Does anyone have any clever ideas about
> how to 'soften' the look of it? I've thought of planting perennials in
> front of it, but wondered if anyone else has some interesting ideas. I
> would like to end up with an area that looks like a nice planting, not like
> - oh, there's the tomato plot. Thanks!
>

> Becky
> zone 6b
>
Look at some books on "edible landscaping," or really books on any kind of
landscaping, for ideas on how to blend plants together. Just use edible
plants in place of any non-edible "ornamentals." Once you start thinking
this way, you'll be surprised at the almost infinite range of colors,
shapes, sizes, flowers, etc. available in edible plants.

Gary

[Alan J Holmes]

In article <01bd328a$bc74f8a0$763bded0@carpenter>,

carpenter <jonsal@gulftel> wrote:
>Try interplanting vegetables and ornamentals in "flower" beds. Many hot
>peppers ar very attractive. Carrots, parsley, scallions etc. have
>interesting folliage. With a little imagination, you can have the best of
>both. Of course, okra won't blend in, but most others will. You can even

>use pole beans on a trellis for shade if you have the right place.

Rhubarb, and Jerusalem Artichokes will blend in, the artichokes,
will grow about 6 feet high so could be used as a background.

--
Alan G4CRW, Ex FAA, RNARS and others! What an exciting life I lead!(:-)

[Dom]

Brady wrote:

> I have an average, square shaped city size backyard and plan to put in a
> small vegetable plot this year. Does anyone have any clever ideas about
> how to 'soften' the look of it? I've thought of planting perennials in
> front of it, but wondered if anyone else has some interesting ideas. I
> would like to end up with an area that looks like a nice planting, not like
> - oh, there's the tomato plot. Thanks!
>
> Becky
> zone 6b

My suggestions would be :-
1) Runner beans (you call them pole beans?) we have red white and blue
flowering varieties
2) Raspberries, after a year or two they'll be nice and thick.

or, if you REALLY want inedible ;-)

3) Sweet peas

Dom

[Sarah Browning]

I haven't done this yet, but have been planning it for awhile. You could
try planting your vegetables just as you would other more common
landscaping plants. For instance, pole beans and tomatoes up against
the house- or corn. Strawberries as flower beds. Many herbs have pretty
border type flowers once they seed. Think about how you would normally
landscape around your house and replace with your vegetable garden.
Right now I am bonzaiing a large basil and tomatoe as house plants.

[Alice P. Hawrilenko]

Sarah Browning <sar...@erols.com> wrote in article
<34DCA3...@erols.com>...

> Dom wrote:
> >
> > Brady wrote:
> >
> > > I have an average, square shaped city size backyard and plan to put
in a
> > > small vegetable plot this year. Does anyone have any clever ideas
about
> > > how to 'soften' the look of it?

Get a copy of "Square Foot Gardening" It's wonderful and I bet you can get
it real cheap right now on the bargain books table of a chain store
retailer. The method allows you to have controlled chaos and wonderful
views no matter how you lay the garden out.
Alice

[Jon]

Gary Cooper wrote:

>
> On Thu, 5 Feb 1998, Brady wrote:
>
> > I have an average, square shaped city size backyard and plan to put in a
> > small vegetable plot this year. Does anyone have any clever ideas about

> > how to 'soften' the look of it? I've thought of planting perennials in
> > front of it, but wondered if anyone else has some interesting ideas. I
> > would like to end up with an area that looks like a nice planting, not like
> > - oh, there's the tomato plot. Thanks!
> >
> > Becky
> > zone 6b
> >

> Look at some books on "edible landscaping," or really books on any kind of
> landscaping, for ideas on how to blend plants together. Just use edible
> plants in place of any non-edible "ornamentals." Once you start thinking
> this way, you'll be surprised at the almost infinite range of colors,
> shapes, sizes, flowers, etc. available in edible plants.

I've got a book at home that accompanied a BBC TV series on the theme of
mixing the veg in with the flowers. It's full of useful, easy-to-follow
information. I think the title is "The Ornamental Vegetable Garden" or
"The Ornamental Kitchen Garden", but I can check if anyone asks me for
the exact title, etc. I don't know if the book is available outside the
United Kindom though.

--
Jon

Do not use mailtool automatic reply function
Instead use: sta...@rtccnh1.serigate.REMOVETHISphilips.com

[Amy Knutson]

I don't like the bare look of a winter vegetable plot so I've interspersed
perennial flowers and herbs in my vegetable beds. I have a small hedge of
lavender on the side that faces the house on one bed and on the other,
nasturtiums reseed to create a colorful summer border.
Iris, dahlias, heirloom roses, dianthus, fennel, artichoke, sage,
rosemary, and artemesias are some that provide interest almost all year
long.
-Amy K.
Corvallis, OR

On Sat, 7 Feb 1998, Sarah Browning wrote:

> Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 10:08:44 -0800
> From: Sarah Browning <sar...@erols.com>
> Newsgroups: rec.gardens.edible
> Subject: Re: need vegetable garden disguise ideas

>
> Dom wrote:
> >
> > Brady wrote:
> >
> > > I have an average, square shaped city size backyard and plan to put in a
> > > small vegetable plot this year. Does anyone have any clever ideas about
> > > how to 'soften' the look of it? I've thought of planting perennials in
> > > front of it, but wondered if anyone else has some interesting ideas. I
> > > would like to end up with an area that looks like a nice planting, not like
> > > - oh, there's the tomato plot. Thanks!
> > >
> > > Becky
> > > zone 6b
> >

[Peggy O'Grady]

I always mix ornamental plants with my regular vegetables. You'll also
find many vegetable plants that are quite beautiful. There are many
varieties of lettuce and swiss chard that are lovely and colorful. If
you read about companion planting, you'll find that many flowers
compliment the vegetables you grow. I always plant marigolds around the
perimeter and throughout my vegetable garden as they repel critters and
add a wonderful splash of color. Nastrusiums are a fabulous flower to
plant. The color is beautiful and they are edible. You can find much
information on edible flowers in the public library or at a good garden
center. Many seed producers have edible flower packages for sale
(Shepherd's Seed Co. is one I know of) and these really soften the look
of the vegetable patch. Herbs are a great addition to the vegetable
patch. Many are perennials. Most have very interesting foliage for
some texture in the garden and many produce nice flowers.

I would also suggest planting in squares that are about 4' X 4' (Postage
Stamp Gardening or Square Foot Gardening) rather than rows. You'll get
better pollination and a softer look. Keep the area clean and weeded.
You might also consider some type of landscape edging to raise the
planting bed and "decorate" the area. A border of stone, brick,
railroad ties are often used.

Good luck with your project!
P.O'Grady
P.S. I publish a small, informal, weekly, free gardening newsletter.
If you'd like to receive O'Grady's Garden, e-mail
OGrady...@ameritech.net with "Subscribe Garden" in the text and
subject line.

Jon wrote:
>
> Gary Cooper wrote:
> >

> > On Thu, 5 Feb 1998, Brady wrote:
> >
> > > I have an average, square shaped city size backyard and plan to put in a
> > > small vegetable plot this year. Does anyone have any clever ideas about
> > > how to 'soften' the look of it? I've thought of planting perennials in
> > > front of it, but wondered if anyone else has some interesting ideas. I
> > > would like to end up with an area that looks like a nice planting, not like
> > > - oh, there's the tomato plot. Thanks!
> > >
> > > Becky
> > > zone 6b
> > >