Bigger is Better in the Landscape
I’ll never forget the day I first laid eyes on Zara’s garden. It was a jungle of waist-high weeds, thistles, and other terrifying vegetation – a true nightmare for any gardener. Mallow, bindweed, green alkanet, dock – you name it, it was there, thriving in all its wild glory. Zara, an elderly woman from Sarajevo who had been renting this plot in West London for over 30 years, could no longer manage the relentless overgrowth. When she gave me the green light to try and revive it, I was thrilled, but also slightly overwhelmed by the daunting task ahead.
Little did I know that in just a few short months, I’d be growing over 30 different vegetables with hardly any weeds in sight, all thanks to a gardening method called “No Dig.” This transformation was a testament to the power of thinking big when it comes to garden design and construction.
Thinking Outside the (Raised) Bed
As I dove into the world of No Dig gardening, I discovered the brilliance of Charles Dowding, an Englishman who has spent over 40 years growing and selling organic vegetables. Dowding’s approach to gardening eschews the traditional tilling and weeding in favor of a more hands-off, soil-nurturing method. The key? Layering thick compost on top of the existing soil and planting directly into that rich, fertile surface.
But Dowding’s genius didn’t stop there. In his YouTube videos and books, I learned countless other tricks for creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden, like leaving vegetable roots in the ground after harvest to enrich the soil, and removing the lower leaves of plants to deter slugs and snails.
Thinking Big with Oversized Elements
Inspired by Dowding’s holistic, nature-first philosophy, I started to rethink my approach to gardening altogether. Instead of fighting against the land, I decided to work with it, embracing the unique challenges and opportunities of my allotment plot. And that’s when the idea of oversized garden elements started to take root.
A1 Landscape Construction, the company I run in Temecula, California, is all about creating outdoor living spaces that are both functional and awe-inspiring. Why not apply that same principle to my own garden? I began to envision larger-than-life features that would not only improve the growing conditions, but also captivate the senses and spark the imagination.
Oversized Raised Beds for Maximum Impact
One of the first oversized elements I incorporated into Zara’s allotment was a series of raised garden beds, each measuring an impressive 6 feet wide by 20 feet long. Now, I know what you’re thinking – isn’t that a bit excessive? But hear me out.
By going big with the bed dimensions, I was able to create a lush, immersive growing environment that felt more like a miniature farm than a typical backyard plot. The extra width allowed me to pack in a diverse array of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, while the length provided ample room for long, winding rows of crops.
But the real genius of these oversized raised beds lies in their ability to improve growing conditions. As Joe Lamp’l explains in his podcast, a level, well-drained surface is crucial for preventing erosion and ensuring that water, nutrients, and tender plant roots stay where they belong. The sheer size of my beds made it easier to achieve this perfect level, and the deep, rich soil mixture I concocted – a blend of top-notch compost, mineralized soil, and other organic amendments – provided an unparalleled foundation for lush, healthy plant growth.
Supersized Trellises and Obelisks
With the raised beds in place, I turned my attention to the vertical elements of the garden. Traditional tomato cages and small-scale trellises simply wouldn’t do – I wanted structures that would make a bold statement while also serving a practical purpose.
Enter the supersized trellises and obelisks. Standing over 8 feet tall, these towering supports not only provided ample climbing space for vining crops like cucumbers and pole beans, but they also created a sense of drama and scale that was impossible to ignore. Imagine walking through a verdant tunnel of lush foliage, the vines cascading down from these impressive, architectural frames.
But the benefits of these oversized elements went beyond mere aesthetics. By elevating the plants off the ground, I was able to improve air circulation and prevent disease, while also making harvesting a breeze. No more bending and stooping to gather my bounty – I could simply reach up and pluck the ripe fruits and vegetables at eye level.
Colossal Containers for Captivating Crops
Of course, not every garden element in Zara’s allotment could be permanently installed. For certain crops, I needed the flexibility of movable containers. But I wasn’t about to settle for your typical 5-gallon nursery pots. Oh no, I went big – really big.
Imagine a 2-foot-wide by 6-foot-long steel planter, on casters no less, that I could easily roll around the garden to chase the sun. This oversized container provided a whopping 12 square feet of growing space, more than enough room to cultivate an entire herb garden or a selection of vibrant flowering annuals.
The beauty of these colossal containers went beyond their sheer size, though. By using high-quality, food-grade materials like galvanized steel and cedar, I was able to create a thriving, self-contained ecosystem that mimicked the ideal growing conditions of my raised beds. Paired with a custom-blended soil mix and a simple drip irrigation system, these mobile gardens became veritable oases of lush productivity.
Embracing the Wow Factor
As the growing season progressed, I watched in awe as my oversized garden elements transformed Zara’s once-desolate allotment into a verdant, high-yielding oasis. The towering trellises and obelisks became living sculptures, festooned with twisting vines and heavy clusters of fruit. The expansive raised beds teemed with an abundance of leafy greens, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant flowers that drew the eye and sparked the imagination.
And then there were the colossal containers, rolling effortlessly across the plot, their contents spilling over the sides in a wild, cascading display. Visitors to the allotment couldn’t help but stop and gape, marveling at the sheer scale and visual impact of these supersized gardening elements.
A Lesson in Thinking Big
Looking back on my journey with Zara’s garden, I realize that the true power of oversized garden design lies not just in its practical benefits, but in its ability to inspire, delight, and transform. By embracing a larger-than-life approach, I was able to create a space that wasn’t just functional, but truly awe-inspiring – a testament to the transformative potential of thinking big when it comes to landscape design and construction.
So, whether you’re working with a small backyard, a sprawling estate, or even a community garden plot like Zara’s, I encourage you to consider the benefits of going big with your garden elements. From oversized raised beds and trellises to colossal containers and beyond, the possibilities are endless for creating a space that not only produces an abundance of delicious, healthy food, but also captivates the senses and sparks the imagination.
After all, as the saying goes, “Go big or go home” – and in the world of gardening, I can’t think of a better philosophy to embrace.
