At first glance, growing crops in your garden doesn’t seem that complicated. You just plant a few seeds, provide an ideal environment, and watch them grow, right?
Well, yes, but there’s more to it than that.
Have you considered how you want your garden to look during the growing process? Most people don’t.
Here’s the thing: waking up in the morning to a visually displeasing garden will kill your motivation to continue growing these crops.
We don’t want that, do we? That’s why I’ll show the secrets of designing beautiful and edible salad gardens.
Let’s get right to it!
1 – Choose an Organized Layout
That might be the most challenging part of the process. If that’s your first time planting crops at home, you have a lot of planning to do.
What does that mean? Well, vegetables and fruits are usually small, but their plants aren’t.
They can grow taller and wider than you could imagine. So, you want to lay out your crops in an organized way so they don’t take over your garden.
Of course, several variables factor into that layout. These include the size of your garden, the number of crops you want to grow, the style you’re aiming for, etc.
Ultimately, though, you want to have quick access to all the crops in your garden. So, don’t overcrowd it.
Using raised beds can help you use the space more effectively. If your garden is small, you might want to limit the number of crops or choose ones that don’t grow that tall/wide.
Pro tip: I recommend having your garden mirror the style of your house. It’d make it easier for you to choose the layout.
If your house is on the modern side, consider going with a geometric layout. However, a casual house might require a garden with a meandering flow.
2 – Consider Your Crops’ Size
Now that you’ve chosen your layout, it’s time to start planting your crops. That should be simple enough, right?
Not really. Do you know where to place your vegetables? Where will you plant the cucumbers?
Next to the strawberries or in front of the tomatoes? There are several ways you can position your crops in the garden, but I prefer going with size.
That means planting all the low-growing plants on one side of the bed and the tall ones on the other. Not only does it make the garden look neat and organized, but it also makes it easier for you to keep track of all the different crops in your garden.
3 – Don’t Leave Empty Spaces
Wait! You just said don’t overcrowd the garden. Now, I’m confused.
I’m not saying you should fill every inch of your backyard. However, if you’re planting a few crops in a raised bed, you don’t want to leave an empty space.
You see, when that area absorbs water, it’ll prompt weed growth, and we all know how annoying and visually off-putting these are.
Of course, you want to leave enough space for your crops to grow comfortably but don’t leave too much space. Checking the planting instructions for your seeds might help you identify the ideal space to leave for each crop.
4 – Diversify Your Crops
What’s the first color that pops into your head when I say “crops”? Probably green, right?
I can’t blame you. It’s become the universal color associated with all plants. So, you might be tempted to plant green crops exclusively in your garden.
Look, green is rich and cheerful, but you want to create a gorgeous salad garden here. You can’t do that with one color.
I think you already know what I’m about to type. Diversifying your crops and choosing vegetables and fruits with different colors and shapes increases the visual appeal of your garden tenfold.
You want to grow cucumbers? That’s great! Plant a few tomato and radish seeds along with them. Plus, it’ll help you diversify your diet, so why not?
5 – Incorporate Natural Materials
When you buy raised beds and slatted fences, you’ll have plenty of materials to choose from. I can’t recommend wood enough, though.
It offers casual and grounded aesthetics, which balances the wild look of your crops. It’s also a natural material, so you’d still be dedicated to the nature theme.
Here’s the intriguing part: You don’t have to stick to raised beds and wild fences. What do I mean by that?
Let me ask you this: Who said that you should only use your garden to grow crops? It’s a visually pleasing space with plenty of fresh air.
You can throw a wooden table and a couple of chairs there and make a nice seating area. You’ve probably seen cafés do the same thing. Why not do it at home?
6 – Grow Flowers
I know you want to dedicate your garden to growing delicious crops, but a few flowers will take it a long way.
You don’t even have to go crazy with them. A couple of variants here and there will do the trick.
It’s not just about aesthetics, though. Some flowers help deter pests from your crops, allowing you to enjoy delicious, healthy vegetables.
Final Thoughts
If you want to enjoy a beautiful and edible salad garden, you can’t settle for using greens alone. You need to spice it up a notch.
So, choose a nice layout, group your crops properly, diversify your plants, and you’ll end up with a gorgeous garden.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.