January Planning Series Part 2: Your Garden Design

In the last newsletter, Abi started walking you through the garden planning process. Her article was intended to get you started in the space you already have this year. She asked five key questions to frame your garden planning: 1) Why do you want to garden? 2) What do you want to grow? 3) How much do you want to grow? 4) When do you need to plant? and finally, 5) Where will you plant? Your responses to these five questions may have inspired you to start highlighting seed catalogs and mapping out your existing space.

But what if you’re still staring out the window at a blank backyard? You have a hankering for three different varieties of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and big slicing tomatoes, yellow and green zucchini, basil, squash, all of the peppers, and more, but the garden design only lives in your head, and it’s fuzzy at that. You may even have a box or two in the yard, but it’s become quite clear in recent growing seasons that you really need more. In this newsletter, I’m going to focus on gardeners who are still designing their planting space. How do we build the perfect plot to accommodate our garden goals? You’ll still want to begin your planning process with Abi’s framework from this newsletter because we want to build a space that carefully considers your personal garden goals. We need to accommodate the plants you have chosen, and also create permanent structures that will support your changing interests. Most importantly, the same principle that Abi introduced in her article still applies: the perfect garden blends essential elements of garden design with your personal goals for a growing space.

The Key Elements of Garden Design

When we design raised bed garden spaces, we have design principles that we always follow—and I can’t stress enough how important it is to stick to them.

Years ago, I added a master suite and sunroom to my matchbox-house in Woodbine. I wanted more light and outdoor access, so I drew some sketches, asked a contractor friend for a price, and we broke ground. But by skipping key elements of design, I ended up with a space that works against me as often as it works for me. Each morning, I have to shimmy around the kitchen table to access the sunroom with my coffee. The west-facing patio is too hot to enjoy at the end of a long day, and there is a bottleneck between the closet and bathroom that usually leads to a pile of potential outfits shoved in an inconvenient spot. A dozen little frustrations I have to live with because I didn’t really think it all through.

Gardens are no different. Without careful planning, you may find yourself fighting weeds, struggling to access your plants, or facing poor growing conditions because you didn’t think through the essentials. A garden designed with intention, however, will provide years of beauty, ease, and productivity.

So here are the key elements that TKG has come to live by:

30 inch high Corten steel raised beds

Raised Beds

While we do frequently plant wildflowers, shrubs, grasses and trees in our Tennessee clay soil, raised beds are essential for the success of most vegetables. Raised beds allow us to improve the soil, control the weeds, and they ensure that tending and harvesting is easy on the back. We build raised beds out of materials like thick-milled local cedar, corten steel, stone, brick, and stucco. Traditionally, the beds are four feet wide if they can be accessed from both sides, or three feet wide if they can only be accessed by one side. The length varies by the size of your yard.

Pathways

Pathways might not seem glamorous, but they are the veins of a well-designed garden. They ensure that you can access all your plants. Paths should be wide enough for a wheelbarrow or garden cart (about 2.5 to 3 feet) and made from materials that suit your needs and style—gravel, wood chips, brick, or even stepping stones. Choose materials that are low-maintenance and provide good drainage, especially in areas prone to heavy rain.

Edging

Good garden edges keep things tidy and add structure to your space. Whether you’re using steel, stone, or wood, edging helps define pathways and keeps weeds at bay. It can also make the garden feel intentional and finished, which is especially helpful if you’re working in a highly visible part of your yard.

Vertical Elements

Incorporating vertical structures like panels, arches or obelisks or arbors is a great way to maximize space in smaller gardens while adding visual interest. These structures support climbing plants like cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, or even decorative vines. Vertical gardening can also make harvesting easier and improve airflow around plants, reducing the risk of disease. Don’t forget to place vertical elements strategically to avoid shading out sun-loving crops.

Water
Every garden needs a reliable water source. If your garden is small, a nearby spigot and a hose might be enough. For larger or more intricate designs, consider installing drip irrigation or soaker hoses. These systems conserve water and ensure it’s delivered directly to the roots, where plants need it most. Rain barrels can be a fantastic eco-friendly addition, providing supplemental water and reducing runoff.

At this point, you may have a wonderful idea in your mind, on a napkin, or fully fleshed out on graph paper. But pause and consider another key idea:

Location and Orientation
Garden orientation is crucial for sunlight exposure. Most fruits and vegetables need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Observe your yard throughout the day and note where shadows fall. (Right now, you might note where the snow has not yet melted.) Align your beds to optimize sun exposure, ensuring taller plants don’t shade out smaller ones. Also, consider how wind, slopes, and drainage affect your plot, as these factors can impact plant health. Finally, is your garden in a place where you’ll see it, pass by it, run out to grab basil while the noodles are boiling? Make sure you’re choosing a spot that’s in the middle of your life so you’ll choose to be in it!

That brings me to the final design idea:

Your Garden Goals: How Will You Interact with Your Space?
The best gardens invite interaction. Will you need a bench or a small seating area to enjoy the view? Do you want a sink? a fountain? a potting bench? a gathering spot for the kids? a nook to store your yoga mat? Think about how you’ll move through the space and where you’ll want to linger. Incorporating elements like lighting can also transform your garden into a nighttime retreat, extending its usability and charm.

By combining these elements, you’ll create a garden that’s not only productive but also a joy to use and admire. you’ll build a space that accommodates your goals, minimizes frustrations, and grows with you over time. So before you grab a shovel, take a step back. Sketch your ideas, evaluate your space, and consider how each decision will serve your garden’s purpose and your daily interactions with it.

Abi and Sarah enjoy the bench that was included in this garden space for nearby grandparents

In short, design isn’t just about making things pretty; it’s about making things work. And trust me, a garden that works well will bring you far more joy than one that just looks good in photos.

Happy planning, and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help turning your blank canvas into a thriving oasis!