Yeah, so ... as it turns out, I'm a lunatic. More on that later. Well, actually it'll become apparent as you continue reading.
Every year I tackle a big project. Stupid big. Permanent injury big. 4 years ago it was throwing out/selling everything we own and redoing our house. 3 years ago it was ripping out and redoing the entire backyard. And last year it was building the Architectural Digest inspired chicken coop.
Keep in mind, I do these things myself. I don't hire someone. Because I'm cheap. And stupid. And quite frankly don't trust other people to do things the way I want them done. And I'm cheap.
And as you may have guessed, every fall when I finish up my major project I say, I AM NOT DOING THIS AGAIN! I am going to enjoy one SINGLE summer of my life!!! I'm going to lounge and drink beverages because I WANT to, not because I have to replenish electrolytes.
So this year I've decided to rip out my entire front yard, bushes, lawn and various plantings ... and put in a front yard vegetable garden.
Because I never listen to myself. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not all that smart, so clearly my judgement is not to be trusted.
This decision came in several parts. A few years ago I knew the front bushes would have to come out. They were just too big and couldn't be contained. I didn't plant em there so it's not like they had any sentimental value. Last year I noticed the grubs had won the war with my lawn. I planned to throw down some nematodes, see how it did this year and rip it up next year if I had to.
Then about a week ago the weather got really warm in Southern Ontario. Armageddon warm. So the fella and I headed outside to rip all the shrubs out.
In fact, it was warm enough that I started thinking about gardening. And vegetables. And how I'd much rather eat a carrot than a blue spruce. So while we were pulling everything out I decided to grow a few vegetables and stick them in front of my house amongst the replacement shrubs and trees.
And then I decided the replacement shrubs and trees could suck it. I'm growing vegetables! All vegetables all the time! I'm not going to try to hide them in the perennials, I'm not sneaking them in around the side of some bushes, I am overtly and proudly growing vegetables. I may even get a rocking chair and learn to whittle wood out on my porch.
I started my own vegetable garden in my parent's house when I was about 12 and have missed having one ever since moving into this house. Sadly, the only place around my house that gets sun is the front yard and it never occurred to me to, you know, rip everything out of the front yard and replace it all with vegetables. Because that's what crazy people do. Next thing you know, I'd be shoving petunias in an old toilet and entering it in the floral competition at the county fair.
Well. Turns out I'm crazy. A lunatic in fact. Because I am in fact giving my yard one summer of vegetable heaven. If my front yard vegetable garden experiment works out, I'll continue with it. If not, I'll go back to the way it was with shrubs and bushes.
Of course the trick will be to make it look good. Charming. I do have some vanity when it comes to my front yard, you know. I'm not a complete loon. The existing flower beds around the outside of the lawn will stay the same, other than the removal of a few asshead roses that die every year around June 24th and present as angry bare twigs until the next spring. Those will be pulled out.
New lawn will be put down, and all the beds around the house will be reserved for vegetables.
I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life.
Here is what we accomplished in about half a day. Not even ...
To look at a picture of the front of my house it doesn't look all that alarming, but it is well on its way to being a mess.
The grass looks like it recently underwent chemotherapy. It's of no use to anyone other than the grubs, skunks and trolls. I plan to eventually get rid of all the grass at some point, I'm not quite brave enough just yet.
Everything needed to come out.
And it did. Hey look! We have a porch! And a nice one.
Before ...
During ...
After ...
To give you a bit of perspective, this is the mess as seen from the roof.
There are a few steps left.
1. Remove all and cart away all the brush.
2. Dig up the sod and dispose of it. I'll probably throw it in the backyard for the chickens to have fun on.
3. Level out the grass area and plan the size of the beds.
4. Lay down the new sod.
5. PLANT THE VEGETABLES.
6. Sit around and wait for a few months.
7. EAT THE VEGETABLES.
So, that's the gist of the plan, give or take that's how it should all go.
I'll keep you updated on a week by week and possibly day by day basis. I was actually going to hold off on this post until the whole thing was completed, much like the chicken coop. But I decided against it for one reason and one reason alone.
I hope, from the bottom of my lunatic heart, that this post inspires you. If you have a plant you hate, a bush that does nothing but anger you, roses or trees or twigs that need constant care and attention. GET RID OF THEM. Try, even if just for this year, a front yard vegetable garden.
Look at Cubits and Twig & Tree for heirloom vegetable inspiration.
Need help starting your own seeds from scratch? Take a look here at my "Starting Seeds" post.
I'm pretty proud of myself here. I've always wanted a vegetable garden and really the only thing that was stopping me was convention. You just don't turn your front lawn into a vegetable patch. Well. Yes. If you want to, yes you do.
Because I figure, if I'm going to screw around and devote hours of attention, watering and feeding a plant in my garden, it should at least return the favour eventually, and feed me.
GO TO DAY 2 of The Front Yard Vegetable Garden
GO TO The Front Yard Vegetable Garden REVEAL
Stay tuned for the rest of this continuing saga including what vegetables I've chosen to grow in the small space I have, vegetable growing tips for YOU and the finished product with ideas on how you can incorporate vegetables into your home no matter where you live.
Heather
I LOVE it!! Not only is it going to be yummy but you are helping the environment by setting an example that a front yard does not have to be wasted space productively. Check out all the permaculture sites out there and you may save yourself a bunch of work in the future. Also as a do it yourselfer and future urban homesteader check out Mother Earth News too--that is right up your alley. We put in a beautiful veggie garden last yr in the back and I am now trying to convince my guy that the front yard needs to be included. So far I have only got rhubarb out front for edibles. I think I am going to sneak some other yummy stuff out there....good luck! I am sure this is the beginning of a trend you are starting in your neighborhood!
MichelleG
Just found your blog because I had a dried out Sharpie that I needed to use RIGHT NOW. Thanks to Google I now have a new favorite writer (who? whom?) I don't have to feel guilty about wasting time reading because I'm learning stuff. Valuable stuff.
Karen
Thanks Michelle! That's my goal. I also like it if you spit coffee on your computer or pee your pants a little. I consider those to be high compliments. ~ karen
Feral Turtle
Wow...you are so brave. It would have killed me to rip out those bushes! I must say it looks great! Beautiful verandah! Can hardly wait to see your veggies. Cheers!
Emily
Very exciting! I'll be living vicariously through you from my yardless condo. I do have a planter box with herbs on the patio... and I keep thinking about starting some lettuce.
Karen
Emily - Go nuts! Do some lettuce! It'll croak on you in the heat of summer, but is good for the spring, fall. ~ karen!
Gayla T
Brave girl! I know you will do it with pazzazz! I bought some mixed salad greens although some will be red to put out front but that will be short lived and colorful so it doesn't take much courage. I put my pepper plants in with my cottage garden stuff last year and it was very pretty. I only have sun in front and the back also has a black walnut tree and that spoils the soil. I've been researching plants to grow under walnut and there are very few so I have to do it in the front or not do it. My front yerd is very deep from the street and I have a circle wall bed on one side of the walk. I'm getting set for a protest out front too. The city thinks they are tearing out my brick sidewalk and putting in concrete. All the stakes and flags are in so they mean soon. What I know and they either don't or hope everyone has forgotten is that when I lived just a block from here 28 years ago, I belonged to a group called Historic Topeka and we had all the brick streets and sidewalks put under the protection of the Historical Landmarks. My daughter's family lives on my block and even they think the bricks need to go so it's not going to be popular. My stand is going to be that once you remove the historical charm from these old neighborhoods what you end up with is a ghetto! And it's true. There are some of us who live in neighborhoods that are kind of edgy because we love the old homes. If we leave and don't fight the blight it won't be long until it's a mess. Thankfully the historical designation keeps the big Victorians from being devided into apartments. My house is only 106 or 107 and is a big craftsman cottage. I love the charm of it and it's worth fighting for. It should be interesting. I haven't done a sit in since the 60's but I may have to sleep on the bricks to save them. LOL If I try to I'll probably never walk again. I might not even be able to get my old chubby butt up once I get down. Should be aa hoot!
Karen
Gayla - Fight the fight! I'd have to see a picture, but I can't imagine concrete would look better than brick! ~ karen
Mary
I'm hoping to have a garden this year, but in my back yard (front yard gets no sun). We have new neighbours kitty-corner behind us who bought the property & promptly chopped down the hundred year old plus pines & maples that lined the property. Mad e me want to cry, but now I have SUN in my back yard. I have visions of heirloom tomatoes and, and, and... (And maybe even some citron to put up in the fall!)
Amanda P
Awesome and most definitely inspirational!
Wes
I want to do this as well! However my wife won't let me :( Will you email her for me and suggest she let me do it? She's a big fan so this may sway her.
Thanks,
Wes
Anemone
You have inspired me. Yes. That rose bush is going(as soon as it gets a lil warm again). That ugly ugly ugly twiggy thing. I am fed up with it. Thank you so much. You are so brave. I had to know you woulda find something to completely rip out and change up. I can't wait for updates.
Rebecca
I wish I could pull out my neighbour's asshead rose bush. It is just on the edge of my garden and it shoots its prickly sticks to my side all year round. I trim it back, but it just keeps returning to snag me when I'm gardening (and I already hate gardening, but I'm also too proud to totally let it go-wish I could just hire someone, but I'm cheap.)
sofia
I love it! It will be charming!
Kate
Good luck Karen! I've always wanted to do this at my mum's house but 1) it's not my lawn to mess around with 2) I'm only there once a week and 3) It's a kikuyu lawn, voraciously hard to get rid of.
Instead I'll have to content myself with the seeds sprouting in my own back yard.
Not Real Name
I had the front yard veggie revelation a couple of years ago after a long summer that we now refer to as "The Squirrel Wars". I'm still experimenting, & haven't been willing to go all in for the lush & gorgeous, but I'm getting there. My poor neighbors. Fortunately, I can appease them with fresh produce.
Marti
When are you going to buy a cow and start a micro-dairy on the side yard? The t-shirts on that will be fierce, right?
Nicole
I really like my coffee topped with coconut milk and a side of your blog.
Karen
Thanks Nicole. I'm jealous if it's coffee time where you are. :( It's bedtime here. I HATE bedtime. Until I actually get into the bed. ~ karen
Jeanne
Luv it!!! The bushes just did not do that beautiful porch justice...it looks like it was built specifically to "lounge and drink beverages" on! What a great place to hang out, watch your veggies grow, and reap whatcha sow :) :)
Karen
And whittle. Don't forget the whittling. ~ karen
Claudine
I'm so excited for you!
I tore out my front yard and put in a garden last late summer/fall. I chose to do a cottage garden, which perfectly suits my 1880 house, which is on a corner lot. I still have some of the stone path to put in, down the side of the house, as I'm doing mine myself also. Everyone loves it, and my favorite compliment is from people walking by who just smile and say "Charming."
A fun practical book for front yard gardening, which doesn't even have photos of a true cottage garden, but does talk a lot about how plants look in a front yard, is "The Edible Front Yard" by Ivette Soler.
And for beds, stunning abundance of plants, and great general growing information, check out John Kohler's videos. Here's his facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=589009851
I can't wait to see what you end up with. You're so amazingly creative. Have fun with it Karen. I know I'll have fun watching your progress.
Claudine
Karen
Ooooo. I'd love to see your garden! I'll give the book a look. My house was built in 1840 ... so that's the general look I'll be going for. :) ~ karen
Natalie
My first thought was of people going by and snatching your goods (that doesn't sound right). But I see you have a nice fence there so that should definitely detour some people from taking your great garden. Good luck. I look forward to seeing the results!
Silvie
re: Claudine's post, i also have "the Edible Front Yard"
and it's a good practical guide. I dont think I'll have time for a big overhaul this year, but I do plan to start with a blueberry hedge. Yes, the bears will like it but so will I. Good luck with your project Karen!
Kate
Woohoo!! Your porch looks fabulous now and I'm very excited to send you tomatoes :) oh and great seed staring post btw
You should do shots from your roof of the entire planting and garden growing process, its a great angle!
Sara McMurray
You'd fit right in here in Seattle. Half our neighbors have edible lawns, and it's all I can do not to snatch a strawberry on my way up the hill come late summer.
Karen
Sara - And it's because of vegetable scoffers like you, I made sure to plan my garden WELL back from the sidewalk. ~ karen
sera
I was just going to say, here in Seattle, everyone's front lawns are filled with veggies. I would love a front yard veggie patch, but I had to wait while my husband and I finished building the front fence last year. Otherwise there would have been trampling. Any advise on prepping beds that are filled with bulbs that might be nice to have come up but still be able to go crazy planting veggies in the summer?
Karen
Hi Sera - I was going to try to work around my bulbs, but in the end decided to pull the ones that were in the vegetable area up. I relocated some to the perennial beds and the rest I just brought in the house. Hyacinths everywhere! ~ karen
Carla Barnes
Karen, you are my hero. What more can I say? If you are crazy, I hope it spreads. Looking forward to a summer of garden posts!
Karen
Thank you Carla. I've never been a hero to anyone before. I would like to wear a cape if that's O.K. ~ karen