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Potager Gardens

Is my potager too small?

11 years ago

I have a 14ft X 14ft planned for a potager. It is in a sunny spot protected by wind and was the old kitchen garden. I was thinking to basically have one entry and a inner path around 2.5ft wide and a small square in the middle. Does this seem big enough or too small?

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Comments (6)

georgeneschreiner
11 years ago
I think it is a good start and you will learn as you go. Gardening is such a great activity, providing both exercise and healthy food to eat.

I love going out at 5 pm to pick food for dinner. What could be fresher or more satisfying than the food from your own garden? I now plant both in my small garden and in some large pots on the south side of our home. Tomatoes, peppers and herbs really do well in the pots and free up the garden space for squash, beans, lettuce and cabbage.
nancyjane_gardener
11 years ago
I started with an 8x8 box! I now have 6 large and 2 small beds plus a 3x12 herb garden!
14x14 sounds like a great start! Nancy
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It is so easy to get overwhelmed. Afterall, I have a full time job, and when I get home at night I have dinner to cook and housework to catch up on, and I do want so relaxation time... But I find that I get a renewed burst of energy when I have half an hour to garden. Here are my little tricks for staying on top of gardening.... 1. Prep Time. When dinner is simmering on the stove, I pour a glass of wine and go to the garden for 10 minutes to pull a couple of weeds, plant a pack of seeds, or pick a few veggies... as the season demands. This is when I notice what needs doing most after dinner. 2. After Dinner Drink. When the dishes are done, I set aside half an hour for watering or another project like pruning, digging in compost or planting something I bought on the drive home. 3. Rescue. I always keep a watering can full of water nearby for quick rescues on the way to work, or when I first arrive home and find the eggplants wilting. 4. Prioritize. If I can fit a bigger project into one evening, I make sure I have supplies and a list of priorities handy. This means you have to plan ahead to have a bale of peat moss etc. but when there are 10 things that needs to be done yesterday, keeping a list helps get me started quickly when I have a moment instead of wandering aimlessly thinking how hopeless it all is! 5. Procrastinate. Save big projects like fencing, freezing/canning or major weeding for the weekend. You just won't get them done in one evening, so use that time for something else. So... for the most part, gardening can be handled in 30-45 minutes a day plus 4 hours each weekend. If things still get out of control, They do sell veggies at farmstands and you can always use your efforts for compost!!!
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Girlgroupgirl, not sure of my last frost date, but I am in Zone 7. I was thinking of filling in with annuals too; that is a great idea. Natal, I do think there may have been a tree, but I don't know if there is a large root structure there. Donna, the bricks are not mortared and are set on top of sand which is on top of dirt. They are very easy to remove. Lavender Lass, thank you for the herb and plant recommendations. I think it could be really pretty there, but does eat up a LOT of patio space. One of my problems is that my yard has large oak trees over the grassy areas which makes in nearly impossible to plant herbs fruits or vegetables in another bed. The patio has the only sunny space. The best solution seems to be either using this circle or adding pots around the patio for herbs etc. Natal, a landscaper friend recommended a fountain as well . . . but the more I think about it and listen to your recommendations, I will probably be much happier with that space filled in with concrete or at least lowering the bricks so they are level with the patio. Ali has some great ideas as well. A large grouping of pots could work there and if I don't like it I can always reposition them. Thank you all, Lana
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mandolls
11 years ago
I agree - my first year mine was about that size. It has mare than quadrupled in size since. I suggest that you design it with the idea of possible expansion in mind (if there is space available)
Shelley Smith
11 years ago
My potager is 12' by 16' feet, so we have exactly the same square footage, just slightly different shapes (I would rather have a square area but I'm working with what I have). I have 100 square feet of raised beds, which is actually quite a bit when you start planting and weeding and harvesting, etc.

My potager is in the corner of the back yard (very close to my back door - back yard is tiny!) The 6 foot wooden fence makes two of the walls of my potager, and the other two sides are fenced in with black coated chainlink fence. I had a tough time coming up with a potager design but finally settled on 2' beds all around the perimeter (leaving openings for the entrance at one end, and a bench at the opposite end). In the center is a 4' by 8' bed. There is a path all the way around, between the 2' perimeter bed and the large island bed in the center, which enables me to reach everything. I love the sitting area at the far end, where I can rest and enjoy my potager :)

I hope you come back and post pics and tell us more about your potager!
gwlolo
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I will come back with some photos of my space and hope to get some design feedback.
jannie
11 years ago
Just a suggestion-consider dividing your plot into four equal sections, then do one or 2 vegetables in each. A plus-sign shaped path down the middle will give you good access for planting, weeding and picking. I am using the place where our round above-ground pool was located. I built a path down the middle using discarded sheets of plywood and linoleum. You need to work with what you have. Good luck and post photos!

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