Slideshow

Smart Ideas for the Vegetable Garden

August 13, 2013

Colorful drifts of nectar-rich wildflowers aren't just for looks - they draw pollinating insects in droves to the gardens. This helps certain vegetables set more fruit and helps boost pollinator populations.

Every year, the flowers are different - this year's display gardens include flowers like Alyssum and coriander, considered "superfoods" for pollinating insects.

These plastic hoops are set up year-round. In winter, crops like lettuce, cabbage and broccoli grow better with the added warmth and are protected from sudden freezes. In summer, the plastic is removed for cool-season crops and half-lifted for warm-seaso

Another shot of the hoop structures in action. These raised beds are also especially nice: wide enough to feel like real beds, but with a wooden walking path in the center to prevent stepping on the soil (thereby compacting it). The sides are also wide e

What gardener doesn't wish for a cold frame? It's a fantastic place to start early flats of seed in spring, keep certain crops safe from insects or rodents and to keep young plants warm during marginal weather.

Grow cucumbers and other trailing, vining vegetables on stakes to save space. It works especially well with smaller fruit. Larger fruit would require netting to prevent large fruit from bending and breaking vines.

Fig trees can grow immense in our climate and their huge leaves create dense shade below. If you want figs but don't have a 20-30' area to devote to them, consider espaliering them. They take well to pruning and can be kept flat against a building or on

In the PNW, peaches suffer from a fungal disease called peach leaf curl. It can be so bad in a wet spring that the tree completely defoliates. This disfiguring problem can be avoided by espaliering the peach (or nectarine) and growing it under a plastic

Visiting gardens while traveling is a great way to glean fresh new ideas for your own garden. We've gathered five valuable ideas for the edible garden from the University of British Columbia's botanical garden. The climate in Vancouver, BC is a bit cooler in summer and warmer in winter, by a hair. So these ideas for speeding the ripening of summer fruit and veggies, dealing with regional gardening conditions and pruning to maximize useable space in the garden are just as valuable for us in Stumptown. Take a look and see what makes sense for your own urban oasis.

Flowers, Vegetables, Edible Gardening

Show Comments

Portland Monthly

Smart Ideas for the Vegetable Garden

Related Content

The Culinary Breeding Network’s Variety Showcase Was A Psychedelic Veggie Trip

Scratch Your Trespassing Itch with the Portland Modern Homes Tour

Restoration Hardware Opens Four Floors of Home Décor Eye Candy

Behold Rock-Star Architect Kengo Kuma's Love Song to Oregon Forests