victorian garden/cottage garden
dennis williams
Posts: 7
Two years ago i had one side of my garden as a cottage garden with lawn and family area, the other side was my veg garden. My wife suggested as veg where so cheap perhaps it could all be a cottage garden. I duly divided all my perenials during autumn 2011 creating a new cottage garden with the rest and added some new plants for contrast plus a small lawn area to sit and enjoy. Sad i know but i miss my veg. I was watching a gardening program recently only to discover that the victorian cottage garden grew veg and flowers intermixed, i am trying this, this year so have planted cabbage, onions, sweetcorn and lettuce in amoung my perenials in my borders.
Can anyone tell me if they have tried this and what results they had and did they experience any problems i shouls be aware of or any tips as to the best varieties of veg for this type of gardening. Many thanks
Posts
I think it would work very well dennis. I've had bean wigwams in the flower borders and courgettes as dot plants. I don't think it matters what varieties you use. I don't grow much veg but usually buy the seed in the autumn when it's reduced at the GC. I get what they've got.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Some vegetables can be very decorative and mix well with flowers. Also it helps with pests and diseases. Have some flowers growing in pots so that you can plug the gaps as you harvest?
Sounds as though you could make a potager, a decorative veg. garden, with flowers and veg. Some flowers are edible and can be used for decorating salads etc. Have a look at this article and don't forget to click on their flowers link!
http://www.growveg.com/growblogpost.aspx?id=223
I have 2 wigwams in my front garden, one has Clematis growing up it, the other has/will have beans and peas. I think a potager looks a good idea Lizzie
Thanks for your input all, Busy-lizzie i cheched out your link and feel inspired to take it further and pop in carrots, beetroot etc, for the leaf form and colour. many thanks
When we moved into our cottage , a typical cottage garden is what i wanted to continue with . I joined "The Cottage Garden Society " I have learnt such a lot from this . You get aQuarterly mag , which you can write into etc. It also has a seed exchange . You can either send your seed into them and get an extra selection when you make your choice .Or stick with the usual amount , you choose your own from what the other members have sent in . I have grown many differant plants from the seed exchange . It also gives a list of local cottage garden clubs , so if your lucky enough to live near one it is a bonus. It is a lovely friendly society , there is always someone on hand if you need some quick advice . In answer more to your question adding veg to a border works well and is the original cottage way of gardening .
Good luck Dennis, glad it helped. Would be lovely to see a photo one day.
Apparently, when carrots first arrived in Europe they were grown to provide pretty foliage to trim women's hats