Edible Garden Design Principles

“The Art and Science of Holistic Edible Garden Design”

Introduction:

At Gather Gardeners, our approach goes beyond food production. We believe in creating thriving ecosystems that not only yield bountiful harvests, but support local communities and reduce the carbon footprint associated with gardening. Our plants and materials are sourced locally when possible, ensuring that your garden not only thrives, but also contributes to the health of our community.

In this blog post, we share our holistic approach to designing edible gardens. We embrace a diversity of plants, perspectives, and practices such as: regenerative, ecological, and restorative techniques based on a harmonious relationship with nature. We don’t design for those aesthetically perfect photos, we design with the following in mind:

Building Healthy Soils: 

The foundation of any successful garden lies in the life within the soil. 

Our design process begins with a soil health assessment. We will take the time to understand the type of soil you have or if we’re building raised garden beds, we will create a strong foundation from scratch. We develop soil that properly drains water, retains moisture and encourages a diversity of microorganisms. 

Through regenerative practices such as composting, cover cropping, green mulching, and minimal soil disturbance, we ensure your garden soil becomes a living, nutrient-rich ecosystem full of beneficial components such as: mycorrhizal fungi, organic matter, beneficial insects and more.

Embracing Biodiversity: 

Diversity in the garden brings resiliency. We curate a selection of plants based not only on plant hardiness zones - which may not focus on an accurate ecological value needed for success - but ecoregions. 

We develop resilient gardens by avoiding monocropping and focusing on companion planting, and permaculture or agroforestry principles that encourage interplanting of trees, shrubs, and small plants in the same location. This provides protection from harsh environmental conditions, diseases, predators, pests as well as a diverse exchange of nutrients to develop a healthy soil ecosystem. 

We also take care in designing for a diversity in colours, textures, and flavours.

At Gather Gardeners, we don't just design gardens; we cultivate experiences and connections with the soil.

Habitat Creation: 

A flourishing garden is a buzzing garden. We strategically integrate plants that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. By creating a habitat for these essential insects, we not only enhance the beauty of your space, but also ensure the pollination of your crops, leading to more abundant yields. That is why 10% of the garden design will include pollinator plants to provide food and shelter to animals that pollinate plants in our local ecosystem.

Pollination is more and more challenging, especially for urban gardeners like you! Therefore, it is important to create a safe and nurturing home for these creatures to be able to thrive. According to the Canadian Wildlife Federation, your garden needs food, water, and shelter for them to be considered a certified wildlife sanctuary. We design gardens that meet the requirements of becoming a certified wildlife ecosystem.

Natural Insect Management: 

We do not believe in using the term “pests” as most insects have a benefit to an ecosystem - even when it feels like it’s never benefiting yours! There are plants that repel damaging insects and attract beneficial insects. We incorporate these principles into our garden design, using plants as allies in your quest for a pest-free garden. We eliminate chemical pesticides and only use natural, sustainable approaches to pest management.

We work with you to learn best practices in the garden. Our approach is to start with the prevention of large insect infestations by using physical barriers. If an infestation happens, we only provide resources and information on natural remedies to save your plants.

Transparency and Shared Values: 

Building a vegetable garden is not just a transaction; it's a collaboration. We believe in transparency, open communication, and shared values. 

Throughout the design process, we work closely with you, ensuring your vision aligns seamlessly with our expertise. We strive to create not just a garden, but a reflection of your values and aspirations.

We acknowledge that many of the lands in which we collaborate and design on are the traditional, unceded territories of Indigenous Nations throughout Canada. We are grateful for the continuous work of many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who are the original caretakers of the Land and Waters in which we garden and grow. In our work as edible garden consultants, we take a responsibility to respect Indigenous perspectives and elevate Indigenous voices.

Conclusion:

At Gather Gardeners, we don't just design gardens; we cultivate experiences and connections with the soil. Join us in creating a space that goes beyond sustenance. 

Let's build a garden that not only provides a feast for your table, but also nourishes the soul and contributes to the well-being of the planet. Together, let's cultivate abundance, kindness, and a deeper connection to food.

Jessica Jones

Founder of Gather Gardeners