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.
charissa
Go you! When we moved into our house, the very FIRST thing I said once spring hit (we moved in the winter) was "Those ugly-ass shrubs have GOT to go." So maybe our neighbours thought I was harsh for digging up the hideous bushes out front before I ever mowed the lawn, but you know? You are totally on the right track: you should like where you live. And that includes your flora.
Since I do miss having a little something out front, we planted a pear tree (which never produces pears) and this year's project is an asparagus bed. I say it again: you're not alone!
Also: there is a book entitled "Food Not Lawns", so don't feel you're alone. (I personally found the book to be kind of angry in tone, but I agree with the general principle.)
Melissa
I am so excited for you and the fella. May I suggest SFG (Square Foot Gardening) as a resource. It has really helped me and my fella (and our growing family) actually grow stuff in an otherwise barren yard. Ooooh,oooh, and I hope you'll trellis some berries, or snap peas, or cukes, or morning glories(or something!!!) up your columns or on the actual trellis. (Such a good choice to release the evergreens!) Can't wait to see the adventure unfold.
marilyn
you go girl!! (and fella)
Sherry (BTLover2)
What a wonderful idea! And without a doubt it will be perfect and amazing just like everything you do!! Besides grass do grubs eat other plants? Or maybe it's just slugs I'm thinking of (which are my problem along with the deers and rabbits)? I look forward to watching this whole process bloom!
Karen
Sherry - From what I know it's grass that grubs are attracted to. I'm still going to put in some nematodes this spring and fall, a few japanese beetle traps and hope that takes care of them. They're on the rampage here! And now, ... so am I. ~ karen
Mary Werner
Congratulations on your new front porch life! The book previously mentioned is wonderful. Why do most of us spend so much money and time on growing grass then money and time on cutting it down. Stop and think about it - we are like sheep following each other and I'm so glad you are going back to our "roots" in making a front yard garden like in the olden days. Visiting historical neighborhoods in US will find plenty of front yard gardens. You are an inspiration!
celia
Oh how exciting! I'm looking forward to reading about your progress!
Have fun!
-Celia-
Kim Merry
I love the picket fence! I can't wait to see how everything turns out. I am working on my backyard garden this year (Thank you Cubits), not sure if I could talk my husband into replacing the front with veggies just yet. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kim
Rebecca
Your yard is going to look so much better full of vegetables! I can't wait for the next post.
cred
This is so exciting- I'm envious because I, too, have the best sunlight exposure in my front yard. Unfortunately, we will be moving in a year or two and the front yard is best left to appeal to the masses. In this case, the masses are two-income commuters with little time or interest in tending a garden but with unhealthy obsession with their lawn tractors.
But I will happily live vicariously through your front yard transformation. And you had already inspired me when I read your post that only mentioned that you were preoccupied with planning this seasons garden. That same day I started several types of peppers & tomatoes- hopefully the poor babies will survive the limited light they get in our backyard.
Best of luck with your garden- I hope it inspires many.
courtney
Karen
With your chickens and your soon to be front yard garden you are reminding me of the BBC show The Good Life. It was an excellent show from the late 70s about a couple, who done with the rat race, decide to start living off the land. Hilarity ensues.
Amy Schmucker
I wish we were neighbors. That way I would bring you over loads of veggies from my garden as an excuse to come over and "watch you" to see what new project your up too. hee hee. I am currently RIPPING out the three foot high railroad ties that hold my garden. We are replacing it with a clean new brick wall. Garden got moved to the side of the house. Green beans will be the first to be picked, oh and the broccoli is coming in already. Just mulched my zucchini and cucumbers. Pepper plants are pissed off because its already too hot for them. Good luck. Loads of pictures are so helpful when your telling us about your projects. I WANT CHICKENS...
Amy in Florida
Julee
So glad that you're doing this! This will be my third year of raised bed vegetable gardening. Love the results - wish I could love the process. There's extra pressure this year because our family has divided canning duties and will share our bounty with each other. For example, I'm assigned salsa, one sister-in-law will make pesto, another is making pickles, etc. Your tips will be appreciated!
Maureen @theThriftyLass
The only loon-worthy moment that I read here was when you got on the roof to take the photo. Hope you're firmly on the ground again!
Anita
Holy crap- you have a lovely front porch. Must be great to finally see it. My parents bought a house in Bayfield that was so over grown with damn spruce & cedar trees. It took days to get rid of all the greenery crap. Why why do people these damn trees close to the house?????? I love the fact that you are going to plant veggies in the front. You can do a lettuce border. Crap I cant wait to get out to my community garden plot and start planting.
Jane
My kinda gardener! I can't imagine doing all that work and not getting something to eat out of it. Veggies (and fruits and herbs) rule!
Karen J
I listen The CBC everyday while working. They did a story the other day about Preppers. People
preparing themselves for Armageddon - stock piling food, water etc.
I'm thinking you'd make a pretty good Prepper Karen (lol). Get a cow and there'll be no reason to leave your house!
Karen
Karen - Don't be ridiculous. A cow's too big. I'll get a goat. ~ karen
Joanne
Am really looking forward to seeing your front yard Karen! We are about to tackle our incredibly over-grown garden 'this weekend' for the last two years, and your post and energy has inspired me to get my ass in gear - and soon! I'm a landscape architect, so this lazy inactivity is particularly embarrassing...
Deborah
I wish I had your gumption/stubborness/lunacy to do what you are doing! :) My front yard is awful as well, but it is also 5 miles wide, ok, 145' wide and just too darn big with a big-ass 35' blue spruce smack in the middle that will live way beyond my life because I hate it so much. I would dearly love to till it under for a corn field...BUT, hubby won't let me. I had my revelation about a veggie garden last year after 14 years of trying to grow a FLOWER garden in the hottest/sunniest spot in my backyard, WHAT A FOOK-TASTIC IDEA! Instead of shriveled petunias and dried up verbena, I had MOUNDS of peppers and tomatoes out the ying-yang! I already have about 30 little mini peat pots sprouting with tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, lemon balm, chives, parsely, cilantro and thyme. My livingroom is a jungle at the moment, no room for company (evil grin) and I can not wait to get my little 'kids' planted firmly in the dirt. Good luck and keep us posted! Thank goodness you have the picket fence, makes it a tad more difficult for strangers to walk by and pick their dinner :)
Brenda
Karin, Your porch is gorgeous, what a difference. That weather anomaly hit PEI as well, got us all thinking spring chores. I think it is a wonderful plan, there are some beautiful vegetable plots out there, way to go...oh and I whittle many hours away, it can be addictive.
Sam
Hey Karen... Next you"ll be planinting by the moon (like a real lunatic)... Rain and water cycles and other "crazy" stuff. But you will have some awesome veggies! I have more and more clients asking for some fancy schmancy veggie gardens in their landscape plans (raised beds are always good for containing the "crazy")... And why not? We've all got to eat!
For all the gardeners out there--don't forget at least one mojito planter... Everyone needs a mojio planter. And for the love of god (or whatever higher power guides you)-- thou shalt not use hockey sticks in the veggie garden! Although Karen could probably make and awesome bean-bearing oblelisk now I think about it?
Blessings to everyone eating a little lower on the food chain once in a while :). Crazy's way more exciting than not crazy <3
Karen
Sam - I have a *very* exciting plan for the peas/beans. Not hockey sticks. Um. No. ~ karen