How Much Food to Grow in Your Garden
The next priority is to decide how much space - if any - you want to devote to food growing, and to work out exactly where to site the vegetable plot and herb garden, if you want these areas.
Herb growing is becoming more popular, since not only are herbs used in most forms of cooking, but their medicinal properties are also being rediscovered. They grow in interesting shapes and the form, texture and colour of their leaves make them attractive plants. Many herbs, such as rosemary, purple sage, santolina, rue and golden balm, can be included in the mixed border as decorative additions or a herb garden can be sited on its own. But clearly it is sensible that herbs should be as close to the kitchen as possible. As many of them originate in scrub or downland, they can exist in fairly shallow poor soil.
Many small gardens include a fairly central lawn groundwork which sets off colourful flower beds. But where space is really limited a small area of grass will not be worthwhile-either visually or practically; a reasonable area of lawn in a simple shape looks uncluttered and is easier to maintain.
Lawn running right up to the flower beds is attractive, though maintenance is easier when a line of paving runs along the edge, so that mowing stops about 400 mm (1 ft 3 in) short of the border. Convenience of mowing should be taken into account when planning areas of grass. Allow room to turn the mowing machine and, if you plan a grass slope, bear in mind the maximum gradient of 1 : 1 or 45 ˚ for cutting with a hand mower and 1 : 1 or 33 for a smaller power-driven machine.
The fron garden should welcome your guests and provide safe and easy access to the door in all weather. Good lighting and a clearly visible house number are essential. The front garden will probably need to house several of the service items and you may want a parking space for one or more cars.
If possible, allow enough room not only to get out of the car without landing in a rose bed, but also to wash the car down; do not forget provision for a water point and for drainage. If there is not room to turn the car round, you will need to leave clear lines of vision for reversing out.
Herb growing is becoming more popular, since not only are herbs used in most forms of cooking, but their medicinal properties are also being rediscovered. They grow in interesting shapes and the form, texture and colour of their leaves make them attractive plants. Many herbs, such as rosemary, purple sage, santolina, rue and golden balm, can be included in the mixed border as decorative additions or a herb garden can be sited on its own. But clearly it is sensible that herbs should be as close to the kitchen as possible. As many of them originate in scrub or downland, they can exist in fairly shallow poor soil.
Many small gardens include a fairly central lawn groundwork which sets off colourful flower beds. But where space is really limited a small area of grass will not be worthwhile-either visually or practically; a reasonable area of lawn in a simple shape looks uncluttered and is easier to maintain.
Lawn running right up to the flower beds is attractive, though maintenance is easier when a line of paving runs along the edge, so that mowing stops about 400 mm (1 ft 3 in) short of the border. Convenience of mowing should be taken into account when planning areas of grass. Allow room to turn the mowing machine and, if you plan a grass slope, bear in mind the maximum gradient of 1 : 1 or 45 ˚ for cutting with a hand mower and 1 : 1 or 33 for a smaller power-driven machine.
The fron garden should welcome your guests and provide safe and easy access to the door in all weather. Good lighting and a clearly visible house number are essential. The front garden will probably need to house several of the service items and you may want a parking space for one or more cars.
If possible, allow enough room not only to get out of the car without landing in a rose bed, but also to wash the car down; do not forget provision for a water point and for drainage. If there is not room to turn the car round, you will need to leave clear lines of vision for reversing out.
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