Artichokes in the Edible Landscape
March 28, 2010
An artichoke border at the Edible Estates garden
Every few days, I pass this Edible Estates garden on my way to the thunderdome. I think it is a beautiful garden and a wonderful example of what someone can do in a small yard here in Austin. One thing that really stands out to me is the use of artichokes on the front edge of the landscape, lining the sidewalk and cascading over the cedar log border. Not only is the artichoke edible, but it is also beautiful. It’s grey-green foliage is a fabulous contrast to most other green-colored plants that grow in our garden and it’s fern-like leaves spread out like fans and act as a living mulch for the plant.
Artichokes are actually thistles and can be grown as perennials here in Austin. With a bit of protection from freezes, they will continue to produce edible buds for many years. They will also sprout off-shoots that you can re-plant in other places. If artichokes do die back, they will re-grow from the roots.
It is a good time to plant artichokes in your garden and if you have some extra space in your landscape beds, try some green globes!
Don and Ursula’s Garden
March 17, 2010
Last week, Don and Ursula invited me to their house in Cedar Park for a consultation. Don, Ursula and their two daughters recently moved to our area from Seattle and were interested in building a raised vegetable garden bed. During the consultation, we discussed many things including the best location for their garden, materials to use for outlining their beds, good soils and compost, how to build it and when to plant. They were inspired by Eastside Cafe’s Garden and liked the idea of using cinder blocks to build a raised bed.
I knew they were anxious to get going, but I didn’t realize how quickly they would spring into action! A few days after my visit, I received these pictures of their garden. Don and Ursula designed and built this garden themselves and I am proud to have been a part of their planning! Way to go, Don and Ursula!
Marking off the beds
Placing cinder blocks on newspaper used as weed barrier
Garden beds filled with soil
Give a Garden as a Gift
March 6, 2010
Just before Valentine’s Day, a client of mine asked me to install a garden for his wife for Valentine’s Day. What a great idea! A garden is definitely one of those gifts that keeps on giving. I was able to do a quick sketch for him (see below) to give his wife on Valentine’s Day. I installed the garden the following week. I was also recently asked to give the gift of a vegetable garden consultation and design to a family that wants to grow some of their own food in downtown Austin. I love being a part of people’s gift-giving! And because I am having so much fun being a part of this process, I’ve decided to offer gift certificates from Edible Yards. Contact me if you’d like to give a garden to someone!
Valentine’s Day Garden
