Garden Photo of the Day

Small Space, Big Yields

Filling a small front yard with vegetables

Today we’re headed to Canada to visit a garden that proves you don’t need a lot of space to grow a lot of food.

My name is Lindsay, and I live in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

This is my front yard. The garden is approximately 14 feet by 12 feet. This is my fifth year living here and doing this garden. Every year it gets larger. This year I decided to try raised boxes to improve my crop. It is about 95% vegetables, though there are flowers to add color. I have corn, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, beans, peas, squash, pumpkins, watermelon, turnip, beets, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, strawberries, asparagus, and carrots.

bed of strawberriesOverview of the garden. The small space is packed with a wide range of crops. In the foreground is a big bed of strawberries.

yellow gerbera daisyA few flowers are mixed in among the vegetables. The yellow flower is a gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii, Zones 8–10 or as annual).

Including lots of trellises is a great idea in a small garden, as it allows you to maximize the use of the vertical space in the garden.

Raised beds and containers are a great shortcut to dealing with poor soil, allowing you to bring in high-quality soil and providing excellent drainage. They also elevate the garden, making for a little less bending over. Raised beds can be an expensive option for a larger garden but are perfect for getting the most out of a small space.

Lindsay’s lush, productive front yard is in stark contrast to the plain, empty yards around her! Why have a boring lawn when you could have fresh, homegrown produce?

 

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Comments

  1. garden1953 07/07/2020

    Awesome !!!

  2. User avater
    treasuresmom 07/07/2020

    Amazing use of small space.

  3. cheryl_c 07/07/2020

    I'd love to live next door to you. And I like it that the bit of lawn you do have has clover growing to help the pollinators find you. Very efficient lay out - I like the way the 'middles' have pots that can be moved to allow you to get to the larger beds.

  4. User avater
    simplesue 07/07/2020

    How nice growing your own vegetables instead of just grass.

    You might enjoy this link:

    https://www.tenthacrefarm.com/flowers-vegetable-garden/

    It’s a long article but the list of beneficial flowers is towards the end with a description of how certain flowers planted in with vegetables deter pests, condition the soil and so on…

    Also it would add beauty and interest along with benefits for your vegetable plants.
    Hope you like the link, and keep up the good work!

  5. btucker9675 07/07/2020

    Wonderful use of your front space - bet the neighbors are envious of your yummy veggies!

    1. user-7728544 07/07/2020

      Awesome thank you! I do have some marigolds in between the vegetables. I will see what I can add for next year :)

      1. User avater
        simplesue 07/08/2020

        Cool! Good luck and hope you share photos again next year!

    2. user-7728544 07/07/2020

      My neighbors get lots of veggies left on their step lok

  6. sandyprowse 07/07/2020

    You have done a great job. Congratulations! I loved it. I live in Toronto and have never had luck thus far with vegetables however hope springs eternal in the human breast. You are a wonderful inspiration.

  7. User avater
    cynthia2020 07/08/2020

    Thank you for sharing photos of your neat and productive garden!

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