Ealing resident transformed her front garden and now feeds her family for seven months a year with her edible front garden veg.
About 18 years ago, Katherine had the dilemma of what to do with her front garden. Many of her neighbours were covering theirs in concrete for off-street parking. To Katherine, this felt like an assault on nature. A visit to Kew Gardens put this feeling into sharp perspective. At the time, Kew was hosting an exhibition about cottage gardens. This proved to be the inspiration Katherine needed to find a more productive use for her front garden.
When looking at the photos of this well-organised garden, it’s hard to believe that Katherine started with no idea how to grow veg. With help from gardening books and green-thumbed friends the garden transformed. As can be seen, Katherine turned her front garden into a plant-based powerhouse.
Redesigning the Edible Front Garden
To kick-off, Katherine and her husband built the structures needed to make the garden possible. Things like water butts, compost heaps and raised beds (along with a greenhouse at the back of the house) were added. Then the vegetable planting began.
“At the beginning of spring, I planted onions, potatoes, peas, spinach and lettuce. Later in the year, turnips, parsnips, beans, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, corn, celeriac and sweet potato. Now, I grow a great variety of produce, making my family self-sufficient in vegetables for almost seven months of the year.“
Initially, a few of the neighbours disapproved of the raised beds. Passersby thought front gardens were for flowers, not vegetables. However today, Katherine’s edible front garden has become a way of life and she is now inspiring others.
“People of different ages stop and look at my beds. Some ask what I am growing, others thank me, saying it gives them hope for the future. Growing vegetables often reminds people, wherever they are from, of outdoor activities and family traditions. It’s also wonderful to see the reaction of children, who are amazed to watch a tomato plant grow from a tiny seedling to something to pick and eat.”
This incredible use of space has provided Katherine’s family with fresh, homegrown food and a daily connection to nature and the seasons in the middle of an urban environment.
“My front garden gives me a lot of pleasure, friends, a sense of purpose and healthy food.”
Front Garden Competition and advice
If you’re thinking of transforming your front-of-house space to be greener and more edible, we’d love to hear about your plans. Not sure where to start? Here is Vegetable basics from RHS and we also have some front garden hints and tips.
Consider entering your edible front garden into the Biodiverse Front Gardens and Balconies Competition, with some tempting cash prizes and awards to be won. (Deadline for entries is 23:59 14 July 2024.)