The organic vegetable garden

Concept plan

It all started with a rocky koppie, the only place in my clients garden where there was space and sun, this is where our Organic vegetable garden was created . It took allot of careful planning as the koppie is on a slope, huge retaining walls needed to be built to get the area level as well as hold all the soil around 80 cubes! It is quite a feat to get there ,one has to trek up decked walkways to get to the top.

the site before the organic vegetable garden was created

 It was going to take lots of building to make this work. We wanted it to blend in with its natural surroundings become a part of the landscape, bricks would make it look harsh and foreign.So natural rock was our best option and there was allot of it in her garden. Rocks, cement, soil, sand all of this was carried by hand and bag to the top of the koppie cubes and cubes of it.We got really fit from this!

The long walk up!





slowly it began to take shape

We designed the garden in three levels,each has a specific planting plan.Inspired by the key hole design ,because this shape allows the gardener easier access to the vegetables and a bigger planting space . I modified the key hole to circles for the top two levels and used it coming out from the circle at the bottom because this level is bigger than the top two. These circles are paved walkways done in the same natural rock to match the walls.The center circle and bottom circle we raised for practical and design purposes. This was a perfect place to plant the mint,it loves to creep and would eventually take over the entire garden if left to its own devices if planted in the beds.   




natural stone walkways lead you through the garden, a fruiting olive graces center spot.

 

After the hard landscaping was completed it was time to plant, my favourite part! As I mentioned each level has a specific plan and all my planting is done to companion planting guidelines. For those of you who do not know, companion planting is the natural solution to pest control and this is what makes a vegetable garden organic.Plant plants that like each other next to each other so they grow strong and healthy without the need to spray and be continuously fed with chemical fertilizers. There is no need to spray in this garden as insect repelling plants have been incorporated in the design.I have used allot of these around the borders of vegetable beds.If the need arises and my veggies need a helping hand then these insect repelling plants can be made into sprays. I have Margaret Roberts Companion planting book as my guide to help me on my organic journey!  





Granadilla vines are planted at the top of garden they will grow up the wooden stakes and hide the green palisade fence.A lemon tree grows in the top pot, a fruiting olive in the center and a black velvet fig fills the third. Obelisks have been made from the exotic black wattle a very invasive tree that must be removed.Beans and sweet peas will trail up these.  







In my next post I will go into detail about the planting and maintenance plan ,explaining my companion planting combinations . This garden is unique and will be ever changing with the seasons. I will keep you updated on its progress and let you know what things have worked well and what has struggled.While waiting in anticipation for my little seedlings to grow the rabbits and rock dussies decided that everything was quite to their liking the way it was and proceeded to have a gourmet fest demolishing nearly all of the seedlings. So operation rabbit and rock dussie fence is under way. Most of my seedlings will have to be replanted! 

To look at more pictures look at www.whirlwindgardens.co.za