Beautifully delicious

The Ekbergs integrate vegetables into their

landscape wherever they can. Some ideas to

borrow from their garden:

Let them out o f the box

H e r b s , g r e e n s , c h iv e s , a n d m a n y o t h e r v e g e ta b le s a r e

a t t r a c t iv e a n d n e e d n ’t b e s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e r e s t o f

t h e la n d s c a p e . “ W e t u c k f r u it s a n d v e g e ta b le s i n

m a n y a r e a s o f t h e g a r d e n ,” s a y s M a r io n .

Choose color

V e g e ta b le s c o m e i n v a r ie t ie s t h a t a r e m u c h m o r e

o r n a m e n t a l t h a n s t a n d a r d t y p e s . C h e c k s e e d

c a ta lo g s a n d g a r d e n c e n te r s f o r c o lo r f u l t y p e s o f

c h a r d , p e p p e r s , e g g p la n t , a n d le t t u c e .

G ro w w hat w orks

T h e E k b e r g s a v o id v e g e ta b le s t h a t n e e d p a m p e r in g .

“A t f i r s t , w e t r i e d a la r g e v a r ie t y t o s e e w h ic h s u r v iv e d

i n o u r y a r d . F r o m t h e s u r v iv o r s , w e o n ly g r o w t h e

o n e s w e u s e t h e m o s t i n o u r c o o k in g , ” s a y s M a r io n .

Vegetable beds blend perfectly into cottage

gardens, especially with accents such as bee skeps

and armillaries,

above.

Even raised beds,

left,

can

add flair when colorful ornamentals and

structures are added. ®

For buying information see page 232.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS APRIL 2009 15!

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