We recently rebuilt our raised bed garden from scratch after moving last fall, and it’s finally coming to life. The layout includes two large beds on either end, four smaller ones in the center, plus buckets of tomatoes and potatoes in between. Here’s a peek at what’s growing as we close out May in western North Carolina.
Okra & Cucumbers
This bed is home to an heirloom spineless variety of okra (a game changer for those of us who hate prickly plants!) and a few cucumber plants. I love eating both, but picking okra is always a chore—hoping this new variety makes it easier.
The Tea Garden
This bed is filled with plants I hope to use for teas and homemade remedies. Chamomile was off to a great start until the groundhogs helped themselves. I also planted calendula for salves and nasturtium, which I’ve never grown before but am excited to try as an edible flower.
Carrots & Onions
This might be my favorite bed right now. Carrots have always been tricky for me, but this year they’re thriving thanks to careful thinning. I planted three types of onions—red, sweet, and white—and they’re coming along beautifully.
Tomatoes
A mix of heirloom varieties is growing here, including Cherokee Purple, Woods Famous Brimmer, Brandywine, and Brad’s Atomic Grape. Most of the starts came from a friend’s garden, and I’m already dreaming of fresh tomato pie.
Beets, Radishes & Potatoes
Groundhogs have nearly wiped out the beets in this bed, but the radishes are untouched and growing strong. I’ve got potatoes in the far side of the bed as well—some in the ground, others in containers. They’ve been hilled a few times and are looking healthy. You can learn how to grow potatoes here.
Strawberry & Asparagus Bed
Our original strawberry patch didn’t survive the move, so we’re starting fresh. One end of the bed is dedicated to strawberries, and the other to asparagus—hoping both will thrive over time.
Despite the groundhog challenges, I’m loving how this garden is shaping up and can’t wait to see what it produces this season.
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