Finding inspiration

Week #11. Ten things I learned about gardening from art school.

“All gardens are a form of autobiography." -Robert Dash, Artist

Hello Everyone.

This week, I am preparing lessons for a kitchen garden design workshop, and it has me thinking about not just what to teach, but why I garden, and how I got here. When I connect the dots, I can see that everything I know about gardening I learned in art school. Maybe not everything, but the artful aspect of the garden has always intrigued me.

Perhaps if I had attended horticulture school, I might be more interested in the botany of plants. But instead, I am a keen observer of the structure and the layout of a place; I notice how paths intersect, the feel of entering the space, and the proper placement of a bench. These are elements that are important to me, yet are often not as essential to most gardeners who think about the vegetable garden as a functional and productive endeavor, rather than an artful escape.

But you, dear reader, are on this journey with me to find inspiration for growing an artful garden which is why I will share 10 things that I learned from art school ( many years ago) that I’ve applied to the way I design kitchen gardens. I hope it will inspire you to play with your own garden designs.

Draw with me! Learn more about my upcoming kitchen garden design classes at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden.

1. Start with a clean canvas.

The good news is that almost all of the plants in a vegetable garden are annuals, which means plant combinations are endless. Start with a template and a pack of colored pencils. Then smudge colors together, since plants grow into a mass and not individual elements. Step back to see how it all comes together.

As seen in the book Good Planting Plans by Rosemary Verey.

2.  Get to know your materials.

It takes years to get the rhythm of when to sow, but eventually, you will get the hang of it. More importantly, understand what you are buying when you order seeds. When you grow a mixed packet of Mesclun, for instance, you never really know what you are growing or tasting.

Instead of a single mixed packet of seeds, select individual packets of arugula, chervil, mache, and other wild greens.

3.  Follow the rules before you break them.

Soil is key, especially in a kitchen garden. It feeds your plants and ultimately feeds you. To be truly skillful at feeding your soil, learn to make your own compost and sow cover crops to keep rejuvenating a healthy, organic growing medium.

4. Maintain a neat workspace.

Build a garden shed near the garden. It will protect your garden tools, and provide a place for you to stash everything garden related. Keep it organized for efficiency, and place art on the exterior to add an extra aesthetic element.

My garden shed is an easy walk to the kitchen garden.

5. Learn to draw a straight line.

A low stonewall, a boxwood hedge, or a row of espaliered fruit trees, do more than simply keep out dogs and deer; a distinctive edging creates a border, as well as a transition that visually marks the boundary where the lawn ends and the garden begins.

6. Develop an individual style.

Many edible plants enjoy climbing, rambling, and spreading from above. Height is a remarkably effective tool in creating drama in a kitchen garden design. Use simple bamboo poles to form a tent or teepee, and think like a child to create places to explore. Don’t be afraid to go a little wild.

A good fence creates a picture frame around your garden.

7. Be observant.

Take time to watch bees. Pay attention to which plants the pollinators like most, and plant more of those. Most of all, put a bench in your kitchen garden to take time to simply sit and observe the connections: close your eyes and listen.

8.  Take care of your tools.

Invest in a set of good tools that you can rely on each season. Hang them up and clean them each fall. Have you ever noticed that most painters have hundreds of paintbrushes? You won’t need that many garden tools, yet the best tools get the job done and save the gardener time and effort.

From my book, The Complete Kitchen Garden. Photo by Ali Kaukas.

9.  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

There are no mistakes in gardening, only opportunities to learn more. Start small and learn how to manage a compact space before launching into a larger garden. Keep trying new variations of plants and accept that perfection is not the ultimate goal.

10. Keep a sketchbook of ideas.

I get my best ideas from other gardeners. Visit other gardens, take pictures, and read as much as you can about new plants and ways to combine them. Steal ideas from other gardeners and adapt the best to fit your own style.

Let me know what inspires you in the comments!

From my garden to yours,

Ellen Ecker Ogden

The Art of Growing Food newsletter is published weekly. I share recipes and design ideas from my Vermont kitchen garden. If you’d like to know more about my books and lectures, I invite you to visit: www.ellenogden.com or follow me on Instagram.