Landscaping Ideas: Indulge Your Passion for Growing Vegetables
Updated 4-4-24
According to This Old House dot com, supplies for the gardening industry including vegetable gardening, is expected to grow to $127 billion in 2024. The popularity of enjoying home grown produce is becoming more popular with men, too. Even Millenials and Gen Z “plan to spend more money and time on gardening.”
Inflation definitely impacts this trend, say experts. Although since there’s an increase in high-income households wanting to grown vegetables at home, it might be more than just cost.
So, exactly what is motivating this surge in gardening is debatable? It could be the peaceful distraction that working in a garden offers. It might also be that the occasionally misshapen home-grown fruits and vegetables seem preferable to interacting with crowds in supermarkets.
Whatever the reason, growing vegetables is a wonderful pastime. So with that in mind we’re sharing today a project we did for clients a while back — which included a unique vegetable garden fence.
Deck and Patio Project Showcase
The entire project included a new patio, shade pergola, wood-burning fireplace, fire pit, attractive landscaping — and, a small herb/vegetable garden. The only problem was the homeowners feared the larger of their two dogs would trample any garden created. Some sort of fencing would be required, but would that detract from the limited natural space they had?
While considering our clients’ concerns, we were cutting down a large overgrown bush in the yard when a unique idea occurred to our project manager. A fence made from the old bush would offer a whimsical piece of natural design to the yard.
The result is the bush clippings didn’t end up at the dump; instead, they were used to good effect. As for the other amenities: the custom pergola effectively provides shaded areas in their backyard, as well as privacy around the sitting areas. And because their home is in a beach community, cool evening ocean breezes are eased by the fireplace and fire pit.
We’re happy to add that the couple was very successful in growing fresh herbs and vegetables — unmolested. Their cherished larger dog (not shown in our photos) hasn’t gotten into any trouble — at least because of any harm he did to their garden.
The project’s new shade pergola and fireplace offer privacy in this compact beach community; the new patio is made from Cambridge Renaissance 6 x 9 Ruby Onyx pavers.
Deck and Patio used some unique materials to protect the newly created herb/vegetable garden. A 2.5-foot-high fence with gate was made from brush twigs; it not only protects the garden, but offers an interesting focal point to the yard.
The garden fence made from cut down brush is completely custom and is a unique part of the backyard upgrade design.
The new wood-burning fireplace in made in cultured stone: Country Ledgestone, in the color “Bucks County.” The fire pit table is “Snowbird” made with a stainless steel burner: its clear fire jewels appear to be bubbling when the flame is lit.
The custom shade pergola can be enjoyed for its beautiful architectural interest alone. However, it also offers privacy and shade during the intense heat and light of summer.