Creating a Potager:A Kitchen Garden Hideaway

Lois Royer

College ofAgriculture and Natural Resources

What is a Potager?

• French term for a kitchen garden

• A place for beauty, relaxation, and edibles

• (Don’t worry about the pronunciation)

Basic Vegetable Gardening

Site1. Type of garden2. Size and costs3. Location

Soil4. Testing5. Preparing6. Improving

Seeds7. Best crops8. How to plant9. Using transplants

Sustain10. Feed and water11. Weeds12. Harvest!

Creating your potager

• Dream what you want• Assess what you have• Then think realistically

Start Small and Flexible

• Close to house is best• Must have sun for

veggies• Water available• All gardens need care

costing time or money (often both)

Make a written plan

• Start with graph of existing plot

• Take photographs and measurements

• If desired begin a journal or notebook

• Make a 3-5 year plan• Learn more every year

Pattern• Geometric patterns are

great when viewed from above

• Endless possibilities • Use center stake and rope

to make circles• Check for square when

making rectangles, corner to corner measurement should match

Theme and Mood• Formal hardscape can still

create a relaxed garden• Rigid themes can be

confining or fun• Consider the

surroundings, especially your house

• Remember it is your garden, do what you like

Cottage style is forgiving but not maintenance free

Try a modular approach

• Start with the center area or one section

• Build a few beds each year

• Don’t add beds unless you easily maintained your current areas

Enclosure for Protection and Privacy

• Keep out Critters- especially deer

• Design feature • Blend with feel of your

location• Create a world apart

PATHWAYS

• Room for cart• Grass or mulch• Add stone or brick in

the future• Keep sharp edges

Building your Beds

• Consider your reach• Watch corners and round

areas• Think where you will

stand and have stones ready

• Raised beds have pros and cons

• Sheet composting makes easy bed prep

COLOR & TEXTURE

• Flowers add color and interest all season• Principals used in flower gardens work well• Vegetables have a wide range of textures• Don’t forget the variety of HERBS to use

Create Focal Point & Go Vertical

• A focal point draws attention to the garden• Use plants or structures• Vertical supports will greatly increase use of

square footage

PLAN FOR CHANGES

• Vegetables are mostly annuals• Some are harvested before end of season• Some take all season to grow and mature• Prep for these ongoing changes • Expect to need to fill holes, maybe with flowers, containers, or mulch

Refine your practices in the future as you gain experience

• Crop rotation• Succession planting• Larger garden• Start seeds indoors• Try new plant varieties• Extend the season• Plant for winter visual interest

Find inspiration

Appreciate Simplicity

Make the garden your own

My garden so far

Resources

• Grow It! Eat It!http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit

– We have all types of practical food gardening tips and information. Check out our popular blog!

• Home and Garden Information Centerhttp://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic

– Here you will find factsheets, photos, and videos. You can also subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter.

– We answer gardening questions 24/7…just click “Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts”

• Maryland Master Gardener Programhttp://www.extension.umd.edu/mg

– Consider becoming a trained MG volunteer!

This program was brought to you by the Maryland Master Gardener Program

Howard CountyUniversity of Maryland Extension