By admin | February 23, 2009
Submitted by Ledge and Gardens Blog
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Low 30 F
The vegetable garden is experiencing a resurgence and it can be a beautiful place in addition to a bountiful one. I have to say that the veggie garden at the Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show was my favorite garden in the show and there were many beautiful vignettes this year at the show so it was a difficult choice. I grew up with a vegetable garden typical of the 50’s and 60’s. My own vegetable garden bears the imprint of many years of exposure to Dad’s garden. I’m working on it!
These gardeners, Dad included, were often veterans and the military element showed up quite often in the regimented rows of orderly vegetables. I cannot fault the precision and beauty of this type of garden but there are other methods equally productive and perhaps more decorative. I have added espalier to the veggie garden and the garden at the flower show has added decorative elements making this garden one of beauty and productivity.
Designed in quadrants, each had a focal point in the middle of the bed.
This one has an urn complete with bok choy, lettuce and viola. This next bed has the unique and much talked about, walking stick kale in the center. 
This kale was over six feet tall and the stalk actually can be dried and used to make a walking stick. In climates such as mine, zone 5b, this would need protection to get to this size but I think it is a rather common sight in gardens of a more moderate, climactic nature. 
Curious isn’t it? Is anyone growing this kale? 
These corner urns were not only beautiful but included some of the scented geraniums which added wonderful fragrance to the exhibit. 
Look at these gorgeous clay pots with the rooster standing sentinal over the exhibit. He added a regal element to this pottager. Of course artistic license is used in the show. Hostas are lush and green and relatively easy to force but I am not sure they would actually be used in a sunny vegetable plot. I just imagined fat, savoy cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower in its’ place and felt very comfortable with the choice. How do you feel about the use of incompatible plants in a design show?
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