Ornamental Gardens and vegetables

You do not have to be confined to growing vegetables exclusively in a patch out the back. Why not locate vegetables where they will be happiest, even if it’s among the bearded iris or roses. Once you are free of the mindset that dictates this you will soon realise the fabulous ornamental value of some vegetables and fruits. It also opens up new spaces, front back and side of houses. Those places may be the sunniest, or best drained. Plan vegetable plantings to surround a building or line a path, down along the driveway, against the fences or even out on the naturestrip.

Chard used as mass planting bedding plant

Lettuces ; they prefer a bit of shade in mid-summer and bolt quickly once summer arrives if left in the spring bed. I move them to my front garden under the shade of our big tree, the purple and frilly foliage contrasts beautifully with some of my bold perennials, this makes much more sense than buying punnets of bedding annuals.

Leeks at St Erth

Onions and leeks have strappy foliage and their flower spikes are a dramatic addition to any garden they also repel aphids. One of the better examples of this was at our recent visit to St Erth, the Leek flower spikes floated above other plants.  Imagine them amonst purple flax or cordylines, they could easily be blended in with other bold plantings in rows, back of borders or part of a perennial border.

 

onions or leek flowers all in a row


 








I’ve discovered that eggplant grows vigorously well with roses, requiring similar soil, water and fertilise they have beautiful leaves and fruit that mix well in a sea of flowers.

 By growing vegetables in unexpected spots it opens up the vegetable garden for plants that take up room. Zucchinis and melons sometimes grow into monsters but growing them with Nasturtiums, always a favorite edible flower, they will sprawl happily benefiting from the cooling growing mulch and the nasturtiums secrete a mustard oil, which many insects find attractive and will seek out rather than eating leaves of nearby veges and the flowers repel aphids and the cucumber beetle.



Other fruits and vegetables can double as ornamental, too. Blueberries might be great as a hedge you’ve been intending to plant against the garden wall. Strawberries make a fine ground cover . Cabbages, kale and  and Broccoli are bold foliage plants. Carrots, and parsnips are the same family as Queens Anne lace and send up a beautiful flower spike.



Chilies and capsicums have bright colourful fruit I have sometimes used them as annual container display in the middle of my Christmas table. Planted as a border with garlic chives as the pic to the left shows they not only look great but also make strong insect repellent barrier and ingredients for a spray. 

CERES Workshop calendar for 2011

Summer fruit tree pruning Saturday 5th February

The technique of summer pruning fruit trees will be taught by Justin in this one day hands-on workshop.Learn how to use summer pruning as part of your annual maintenance to get the very best from your fruit trees.
COST: $125/ CERES member $115

Bushfoods workshop Saturday 26th February
An inspiring and informative workshop spent immersed in the taste, texture
and tantalizing variety of our native food plants.
COST: $125/ CERES member $115

Organic Vegetable gardening Sat. 19th March and Sat. 26th March
This extensive workshop is designed for the vegetable gardener who wants to know the whole story.
The workshop is a mix of classroom presentations and practical exercises.
COST: $190/ CERES member $180

2 day fruit tree workshop Sat. 21st May and Sat. 28th May

Discover how to grow a variety of fruit and nut trees in your backyard and have
all your questions answered in this informative workshop.
COST: $190/ CERES member $180

2 day fruit tree workshop Sat. 30th July and Sat. 6th August
Discover how to grow a variety of fruit and nut trees in your backyard and have
all your questions answered in this informative workshop.
COST: $190/ CERES member $180

Berry fruit workshop Saturday 20th August
Learn about the wide range of berry fruits that can be grown in Victorian gardens and how
to cultivate them for great yields and great flavour. This workshop will cover selection, planting,
fertilising, pruning and trelising (If required) of a range of berry fruit.
COST: $125/ CERES member $115

Organic Vegetable gardening Sat. 15th October and Sat. 22nd October
This extensive workshop is designed for the vegetable gardener who wants to know the whole story.
The workshop is a mix of classroom presentations and practical exercises.
COST: $190/ CERES member $180

Bushfood workshop Saturday 12th November
An inspiring and informative workshop spent immersed in the taste, texture
and tantalizing variety of our native food plants.
COST: $125/ CERES member $115
For more information on any of these workshops, or to book in, contact CERES Permaculture & Bushfood Nursery Ph. 93890111

Email: nursery@ceres.org.au