I'm into my second year as a veggie gardener and I'm looking for ways to beautify "my section" of the back yard. I say my because my wife is the flower/shrub/tree gardener and 90% of the yard is her domain. I have a secluded corner. Anyways, here are a few ideas I have and I'd love to hear yours. Upgrade to redwood garden beds This fall we're bringing in topsoil to grow grass. Mulch area around my beds Plant some dwarf shrubs against the house. Built a redwood compost bin Anything you all want to add would be delightful (bed design, planters, anything)
You have a great start. If you have little ones about try raspberries for healthy snacks and a runner beans growing up a teepee frame of bamboo to hide in and harvest. They will provide lots of memories. Pumpkins are fun if you have the room. A name scratched onto a small green pumpkin will callous over and grow with the pumpkin. Nothing like a personalized pumpkin. For initial paths and beds I am a firm believer in cardboard with a thin layer of bark mulch. Kills the grass/weeds and is easy. If you change your mind the soil is ready to be changed into a garden bed. You can throw in some nastriums and calendula for edible flowers for salads. They add color and a little tangy to greens. Have fun!
The grass and mulch will make it look much more attract and the redwood garden beds also. If your going to build more raised beds I think they would look better in rows or a geometric design. My children loved to plant carrots and sugar snap peas. That was their garden and they were allowed to pick and eat them 'at will'.
Mart, Our natural soil is hard clay. The bed on the left is a mixture of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. Bed on the right is just topsoil and clay mixed. 2ofus, Maybe a row that's a foot deep and long against the house for beans or lettuces. I've also thought about a cold frame below the window.
