A linear design makes a space more productive, organized, and inviting
The task was a bit overpowering : plan and make anedible gardenthat was productive enough to supply produce for a restaurant , ensure it looked beautiful most of the twelvemonth , and make it exciting and engaging — not only for nurseryman like me but also for someone who has never held a twosome ofpruners . Oh , and did I mention that all of this had to happen on a cityrooftop ? This was the challenge presented by the Vancouver Club , a private societal social club in the warmness of downtown Vancouver , British Columbia . The opportunity bring home the bacon me with a weapons platform forsomething I had never render before — to create a new kind of veggie garden , one that had an attractivemodern aestheticand was superproductive . So , clothes designer David Hepworth , detergent builder from Conex Construction , general manager of the club Philip Ireland , and I get together and decided the best room to action that end was with a gridlike layout that would keep things organized and inviting at the same time .
Beds and pathways set the tone
A common issue for manyvegetable gardensis that they ’re built solely for production , with niggling thought give to the overall design of the space . This leaves them looking messy or , worse still , unsightly . That was n’t an option for the Vancouver Club project , so a gridlike layout was planned instead — which lead to a more organized and visually appealing garden . That meant keeping thing exclusively linear . forge with David Hepworth , we decided on a series of custom - work up rectangularraised bed , fabricated out of powder - coated stainless sword . These were install in straight furrow , which result to the cosmopolitan layout of the space being a serial of fair and concise lines . Straight paths , which are inevitable when you keep the raised beds geometric , make the garden seem more accessible because there is a absolved journeying through the space .
Even if you do n’t have a arresting city horizon surrounding your garden , it ’s still important to keep clear sight communication channel throughout the blank space . This further multitude to ramble into the garden and guide them from one blot to the next . The peck lines in this distance enable you to see from one ending of the garden to the other easily , from virtually any angle . Open sight lines also give the space an open trading floor - plan appearance , which build the space feel larger despite it only being 36 feet long and 51 ft wide .
Planting in blocks keeps things organized
veg garden have a tendency to be ajumbled assortment of plantsspilling over in all directions without rhyme or reason . This usually leaves them palpate chaotic , and that disorganization can cut down on the productivity of the space , as well . If you ca n’t witness the squash rackets to harvest , then chances are it ’ll be the size of a baseball bat before it ’s noticed . When it came to meet up the individual elicit bed , I planted everything in blocks or course , further enhancing the linear design . This help keep things looking neat and unionise .
I kept the plantings in the middle beds low , which allows you to see from one end of the garden to the other ( go on the established mountain line of products cleared ) . The exception to the height rule is the tepee of noodle toward the middle of the garden , which I utilise as one of the main focal points . Without these types of focal points , the distance may seem as a less interesting plane . Tall vining veg ( like undetermined tomatoes ) are hold on neat by trellising them along a monotonous metal fencing material panel — present the show of a survive wall . They ’re mostly relegated to the international border of the space , again , hold launch the slew lines open .
The rest of the garden is implant in row and block based on the flora ’ vividness and texture — and keeping in mind what the club ’s chef , Sean Cousins , needed for constituent . When it ’s metre to tack out a harvest as the seasons change , I seek to replant something with contrast color or texture to keep things visually interesting . And , although this is a rooftop veggie garden , it does have bones like any decorative landscape . A few small trees , such as bay laurel ( Laurus nobilis , USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11 ) and olive ( Olea europaea , Zones 8–10 ) play a lasting persona . These are relegated mostly to planter placed at the corners of the cap , where they ca n’t becloud the sight argumentation .
Seating makes the space warm and inviting
A power system like layout and clear personal line of credit of sight can help draw off people into the space , but square bank line can also feel rigid . So , once you deplumate the great unwashed into the outer space , you plain need to provide some shoes for them to intercept , get well-fixed , and admire the cerise tomatoes . This is why it ’s important to verify there are seating areas .
The build - in workbench impound to the raised beds were a must , so visitors would be encourage to actively use the outdoor blank to talk over business or meet with friends . The quad became so inviting , in fact , that parties are now a regular occurrence in the garden . The built - in seating also prevents anyone from having to move seating in and out to accommodate for these functions .
When I look at this unique garden , I ’m almost able to blank out how much work it took to play up to the roof all 55 stainless - steel planters , 18 pallet of soil and drainage material , and scores of plant . This space proves that no matter of where you ’re installing your edible garden , a linear pattern will make it beautiful and fertile .
The Raised Bed Specs
All of the planter on the island beds are the same stature with varying lengths and widths . We added 4 inches of Growstone ( recycled - glass growing mass medium ) to the bottom and fill the rest of the container with a customized soil portmanteau word ( 50 % totality to 50 % potting soil ) . I wanted at least 14 inches of grunge depth to control good root growth . Growstone absorbs water supply , so I used it as a drainage stuff . It also provides a reservation of weewee if the land becomes teetotal . The outcome is a serial of moist , well - drained beds .
Edible Plant PairingsThat Don’t Disappoint
Whenever potential , I taste to make the most of the counterpoint color and texture of edibles . Pairing herbs , vegetables , and fruits can be just as visually rewarding as pairing yearly and perennials . The come after are a few of my pet edible combinations throughout the time of year .
Contrasting foliage for fall
flower are broadly speaking backbreaking to come by in fall , so the vibrant chard is the perfect alternative for a shock of color . Its chromaticity and texture are utterly set off by the smother cool - hued ( and fine - textured ) thyme and kale .
1 . ‘ Bright Lights ’ Swiss chard(Beta vulgaris‘Bright brightness level ’ , annual )
2 . Thyme(Thymuscv . , Zones 5–9 )
3 . ‘ Dwarf Blue Curled ’ kale(Brassica oleracea‘Dwarf Blue Curled ’ , annual )
Edible and abundant winter interest
These industrial plant look good year - round and are evergreen in mild zona . The delicately - textured rosemary and ligonberry offer contrast for the bold , ground-berry foliage . The latter two plant also add a pop of color with their bright fruit .
1 . Rosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis , zone 8–11 )
2 . Ligonberry(Vaccinium genus Vitis - idaea , Zones 2–6 )
3 . Wintergreen(Gaultheria procumbens , Zones 3–8 )
A summer balance of bold blooms
Two of the showiest herbs out there are borage and genus Nasturtium . Their heart - catch flush are balanced in this jazz band by the ruffled leafage of the parsley and genus Perilla .
1 . Borage(Borago officinalis , annual )
2 . ‘ Dwarf Cherry Rose ’ nasturtium(Tropaeolum majus‘Dwarf Cherry Rose ’ , one-year )
3 . ‘ Par - Cel ’ cutting celery(Apium graveolensvar.secalinum‘Par - Cel ’ , annual )
4 . Purple perilla(Perilla frutescens*‘Atropurpurea ’ , yearly )
Todd Holloway is the owner of Pot Inc. , a flora design firm and creator of premium landscape painting and garden planter in Vancouver , British Columbia .
Photos : Danielle Sherry . Illustration : Abigail Lupoff .
Fine Gardening Recommended ware
institute in a Post - dotty earth : Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes
Straight lines give the rooftop garden a clean and organized look.The layout makes the space easy to navigate, as well. Most of the plantings are kept low so you can see from one end of the garden to the other, with taller trees consigned to the corners so they don’t obstruct the view.
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through tie-in on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .
ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner
X3 Stainless Steel Midi - Mod Fountain
Straight lines give the rooftop garden a clean and organized look.The layout makes the space easy to navigate, as well. Most of the plantings are kept low so you can see from one end of the garden to the other, with taller trees consigned to the corners so they don’t obstruct the view.
Get our latest tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos send to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
Garden Design Basics: Use Two Colors Plus Green
How to Turn Your Patio into a Garden Oasis
Take the Vegetable Garden to New Heights Video
Design a Garden With Bold Colors
link okay horticulture for a complimentary engage live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical handler …
When I spotted a particular gumption dollar bill cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color design …
When we only prioritize plant life we desire over plants our landscape painting needs , each season is fill up with a never - ending list of job : pruning , filch , lachrymation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
A bean tower is practical and eye-catching.A tepee frame is an efficient way to keep sprawling plants tidy, with occasional pruning. As a bonus, the structure provides a focal point.
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re potential to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a brace …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
signalize up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest of the member - only content library .
start up Free Trial
Make sure there’s a place to sit and stare.Just as with an ornamental garden, places to stop, pause, and enjoy the surroundings are essential. Here, the built-in benches were made even friendlier with the addition of brightly colored cushions.
Get complete land site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the print magazine .
begin your innocent trial
Already a member?access
Photo: Todd Holloway
Photo: Todd Holloway
