Potager (Kitchen Garden)

This post is the second in a series of time lines about the making of my garden. The first being the Bird & Butterfly Garden.

The potager, kitchen/vegetable garden, was the second area of my garden I began making in the spring of 2009. Our lot is an L-shape with a view straight back from the kitchen window, then branching off to the left behind our garage/work shop.

The view (above) from the kitchen window straight back to our property line in early spring of 2008.

The view (above) behind our garage / workshop also in spring of 2008. This is the spot I chose for the potager. Although not ideal – close to the kitchen – this is the best spot in the yard for growing vegetables. It receives the most sun. The plan was to build compost bins in the far back corner from lattice that was left by the previous owners when we moved in.

The compost bins in summer of 2008. We (meaning myself and my favorite brute force aka husband), simply made three open bins. I use the center for mixing, and the two on the ends to store green and brown material. Although above it is filled with sod from the making of the bird & butterfly garden. In the opposite corner my husband built me a shed – true romance. Since we use our garage for work I needed storage for my garden tools, and for the necessary evil lawnmower (until I get rid of the lawn, heh heh). The plan is for the potager to be sandwiched between the shed and compost.

 The view from the kitchen window in the fall of 2008 with the shed completed (above).

In the spring of 2009 we made three simple raised bed frames (above). I want to eventually construct these from stone so they are not built to last forever. I used the sod from the previous year as a base to fill them in, then topped with purchased potting, top soils and compost. I added a couple of flat beds to the left of the raised. I also made a thin bed along the back edge of the property line that backs up with the neighbors bed. She has lilies planted on the other side so I added a couple on my side. Existing wild grape vines grow up and along the fence. (Click here to read my post on wild grapes in my garden.)

The potager towards harvest time in the summer of 2009 (above). We harvested quite a few tomatoes in spite of a bad year, some beans, lettuce and cabbage. In the fall I planted some garlic for the first time. I had not been a vegetable gardener until now, in spite of growing up with a large vegetable garden in WI as a little girl.

In the spring of 2010 we lopped off a large box elder that was leaning precariously over the back of our house. I kept the wood chips and added paths to the potager, expanding the bed along the back fence as well as adding more flat beds. (Click here to read my post on how I created these paths.) The bed along the back fence now includes two dwarf alberta spruce for winter interest as well as a mix of herbs and flowers that are pollinator-friendly. I did add an edible green grape vine along the fence but I'm sure it will take several more years to become established. I figure I will be able to distinguish green grapes from the wild grapes.

Spring 2010 expansion (above). My husband built the trellis attached to the bed the previous season, and I tried to make some tee-pees but have since disassembled these. Also added, a tomato cage built from old tiki torches that my brother-in-law gave me (below).

The goal is to add some structure to the potager and let it withstand the winter.

The potager in summer of 2010 (above) looking down the pathways toward the compost and toward the shed, and viewed from around the corner of the garage / workshop. I am amazed at the amount of insect and bird activity in this section of my garden from butterflies, moths, spiders, bees to beetles and assassin bugs! One afternoon during a sprinkling I watched a hummingbird fly through the water spray repeatedly and perch on one of the tee-pees. Chickadees hid sunflower seeds among my brussel sprouts.

We are really beginning to harvest a lot of food now: radishes, garlic, tomatoes, swiss chard, beets. Each year I plan to add more variety and try new things. Also, we will begin canning and preserving more of our food.

The last thing I made (with my husband's help) by fall of 2010 was this rustic arbor entryway to the potager. This summer I hope it will be draped in scarlet runner beans! Tasty as well as attractive – especially to humming birds. (Click here to see how this arbor was built in my previous post.) This adds some permanence to the potager which my newer garden needs.

The potager in late summer / fall 2010, winter 2011. I hope to keep this post updated as my garden continues to grow. Thank you for joining me in my garden in the making.

Project: Rustic Arbor

We had several severe thunderstorms over the summer. Many trees fell over and lost branches as a result. I love using branches to make my own trellises (see previous post Branching Out), but have always wanted to take a bigger step and build a rustic arbor. Well, this summer I had the chance to do so.

The local dump was overwhelmed with fallen branches after the storms and I had a lot of wood to choose from - FREE wood. I tried to find four relatively tall and straight branches for the main structure of the arbor. I ended up with four cedar posts that someone dumped and two large, tall branches, as well as an assortment of other branches to use for the sides and roof.

Free wood haul from local dump.

This project requires two people to piece together the sides and roof. Once again, I called upon my favorite contractor, Big Bern. Depending upon your stamina, this project may also require some, ah, reinforcement (beer). Also used were a box saw, power and electric drill, hex / carriage bolt screws 6-8" long, and a number of drywall and decking screws in varying lengths.

Tools and "reinforcement."

I began construction by piecing together the sides. They are connected with relatively hefty pieces of wood because we can get some pretty strong winds here in north country and I don't want the arbor to blow over. It rests on the ground. The branches (and posts) are bolted together and were sawed off to make them somewhat equal in height and length.

Sides bolted together.

We temporarily braced the sides together before adding the roof. Here is where a second person is really needed to hold up the sides while the other secures the bracing. We used some leftover wood we had on hand for the bracing. We decided to construct the arbor where it was going to be placed because "rustic" means "not straight and perfect." I did use a level on the sides to make sure the arbor was resting evenly, horizontally, on the ground. I dug out or added dirt beneath each of the four main vertical posts as needed.

Sides temporarily secured with bracing.

Then I selected pieces to make the frame of the roof. These branches were also sawed off to make them close to the same length. We then attached this framework on top of the four main posts. Again, it is helpful to have a second person hold the branches in place while the other secures them.

Roof framework.

Roof attached.

From here on out I was able to complete the arbor myself. I added cross branches and "joists" on each of the four corners where the posts met the roof framework to make the structure more sturdy, and then removed the temporary bracing.

Cross branches and "joists" added to sides.

I added a cross piece on each face of the roof framework. Then I began adding the roof by placing branches vertically along the framework. Being short, I needed a step ladder. I held up the branches and marked the length of each with a marker, then pruned them off before screwing them onto the framework.

Roof under construction.

Roof completed.

Finally, I added some decorative branches in a fan shape. I have a half circle of log that I am going to place above the cross bar on the front face of the roof as you enter through the arbor. On it, I plan to engrave "Mohala," the name of my garden. I will also extend the mulch path to include the entire arbor.

I now have a grand entrance to my potager. It will also give this garden some presence over the winter. The shadows from the branches should look pretty across the snow.

You could probably finish this project in a weekend once you have gathered the wood. I took my time and worked on it here and there over the summer. Can't wait to grow Scarlet Runner Beans over this arbor next year!