Gardener's Supply

The French have been combining flowers and vegetables in their gardens since medieval days. The kitchen garden or "potager" continues to be popular in France as evidenced by a recent government survey which revealed that almost a fourth of the fruit and vegetables consumed by the French were home-grown.

Americans seem to be following suit, because in the last few years kitchen gardening has really taken off. For those of you wondering what a kitchen garden is; the best description is that it is a place to grow the things you bring into the kitchen--herbs, vegetables, fruits and berries, and even the cutting flowers for your table.

If I had to choose to keep only one of my gardens (heaven forbid!)--it would be my kitchen garden. The funny thing is that for many years I scoffed at the idea of having a vegetable garden. I was quick to point out that I am a flower gardener so why waste space on mundane vegetables that are readily available at the Farmer's Market? But that's the beauty of the kitchen garden--it's vegetable gardening with style!

My own kitchen garden is basically an herb and salad garden. I chose to use the traditional four-square layout, which is simply a rectangle split into four equal parts. Where the parts meet in the center, I've added a circle to frame the large iron tree sculpture that holds my kitchen garden knick knacks. Other garden art you may want to use as a focal point in your own four-square garden might be a woven bee skep, a beautiful rosemary topiary or a metal armillary or sundial. but please--don't use a bird bath. I like the birds as much as anyone, but growing your edibles where they bath, (etc. etc.) just is not a good idea.

Colorful Heirloom Vegetables for your Potager