Designing Elegant Edible Gardens
Ellen Ogden
Class Preview
0:44
- In-depth Instruction; over 105 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Design Theory
8:30
Challenge the way you look at gardening and growing food with the help of food and garden author Ellen Ecker Ogden. You'll begin the class with an introduction to design basics and the four-square model, which will help guide you through the rest of the class, including an overview of kitchen gardens and inspirational sources that will help generate creativity.
Planning Your Edible Garden
22:46
Gain a new perspective on your garden as Ellen shows you how to look at your garden's design from every angle. You'll take a bird's eye approach to observing the land you want to plant as you start to sketch loose designs that will complement your landscape and plants' needs alike. Additionally, you'll consider a five-year plan for your garden, which will help you gracefully adapt your garden over the years.
Five Steps to Success
13:18
Have you ever stood in a garden and wondered if the pleasing flow among elements was the result of happy design accidents? Ellen discusses five steps to success for planning and placing elements such as paths, benches, arbors and more, which are functional in addition to creating harmony. You'll also learn how small touches can improve the look of plain raised beds or necessary but ordinary-looking fencing.
The Four-Square Design
10:42
Now that you've got several design ideas mapped out, discover the benefits to trying a four-square garden approach. Ellen shows you how to plan and execute crop rotation in order to give your plants the best health benefits possible, shares ways to provide nutrients that different fruits and vegetables crave, and offers helpful placement and design suggestions.
Artful Touches
13:07
Focus your attention on some of the more eye-catching pieces in your garden, such as dramatic plants, statues and trellises. Discover how focal points draw viewers' attention and add personal, artistic touches to your edible garden. Ellen shares tips on selecting and placing everything from whimsical figurines to statuesque trees.
From Paper to Reality
25:12
Bring your imagined designs to life as you begin to translate your hand-drawn plan into a real garden. Ellen demonstrates how garden design can be less intimidating than it seems as she walks you through the best practices for measuring and staking out your garden spaces. Once your space is marked, you'll spend some time there to ensure that the flow and shapes feel right.
The 80/20 Rule
11:23
Your garden is ready - now what? Ellen shares her "80/20 rule" and professional tips for selecting the best seeds, ranging from tried and true favorites that you love to a few mystery seeds that will bring excitement and surprise to your garden. You'll gain insight into ways to track your garden from year to year as you learn from past successes and challenges.
Learn how to create a well-designed edible garden with guidance from renowned food and garden writer Ellen Ecker Ogden. Explore the history of kitchen gardens and gather inspiration for your own unique space. Then, map out your design on paper, create a five-year plan for your space, and learn Ellen’s steps for successful design! Moving on, discover the essentials of the four-square design model and learn about the many benefits of this crop rotation system before properly grouping and placing your plants for a garden that thrives. Then, translate your design plan from paper to reality and get tips on growing a more productive and low-maintenance garden. Finally, infuse your space with artful touches and learn the 80/20 rule for a professional-looking garden that’s full of the vegetables you love.
Ellen Ogden
Ellen Ecker Ogden has more than 25 years of experience as a food and garden writer and instructor. She is one of the co-founders of The Cook's Garden — America’s premiere source of information for the kitchen gardener — and has published articles and features in publications such as Better Homes & Gardens, Martha Stewart Living and The New York Times. Additionally, she has published several books, including The Complete Kitchen Garden.
Bonus materials available after purchase