Hi GPODers!
At the start of this year we were introduced to Mark Montgelas and his bountiful vegetable garden in Vermont (Check out that submission here: Mark’s Ornamental Vegetable Garden in Vermont). While veggies are often not recognized for their ornamental qualities to the same extent that our perennial and woody beds are, Mark’s veggie garden stands out with a gorgeous, tiered design an array of annual flowers.
I wanted to give you a look at my 2025 Vermont veggie garden. This has been a banner year, because of a combination of positive factors. The combination of a wet spring and a hot summer, where I can control the water intake has been superb. Also, I planted a cover crop last fall, that came up in the spring, and tilled it into my beds.
The vertical aspect of my climbers is also amazing. My indeterminate tomatoes, winter squash, pole beans and cucumbers can’t get enough of the climb. They are reaching for the sun and have found it.
My companion flowers have ushered in the pollinators. My zinnias, calendula and nasturtiums are thriving and giving my little friends buckets of treats. Hope you enjoy my garden look. I am certainly enjoying the harvest. Best wishes! Mark
Even a tricky spot can be a productive and beautiful garden with a little hardscaping. Turning a sloped section of lawn into tiered raised beds makes for a much more productive use of the space, and also allows Mark to separate his sprawling flowers from the rest of his vegetables.
While trellises of all shapes and sizes are popular in veggie gardens, you don’t need anything fancier than a simple T-frame. Three T-frames with connecting rope give strong support for climbing plants large and small, while not taking up tons of bed space. The main posts on these structures are also the perfect spot to hang a couple of birdhouses!
As Mark mentioned above, pollinators of all shapes and sizes flock to his bold annual blooms and can easily hop over to the neighboring flowers to pollinate his vegetables. This vibrant zinnia is being enjoyed by a busy bee.
Those strong supports also allow for some beautiful crop, like this maturing winter squash.
In some spots, flowers and crops combine for stunning results. While dill is a delicious herb, it’s also beautiful when let to flower and seed.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful (and bountiful) garden with us again, Doug! Your beds are an incredible example of the ways veggies can be just as delicious to the eyes as they are to taste.
Before your kitchen garden needs to be cleaned up (or transitioned to cold frames) for the winter, please consider sharing some photos of the crops you cultivated this year. Let us know what thrived, what struggled, and what you’re excited about trying next year. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!
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Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Winco Aluminum Utility Scoop, 58-Ounce, Medium
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The Winco Aluminum Utility Scoop makes garden tasks faster and easier with its oversized 85-ounce capacity. Perfect for transferring potting mix into planters or seed trays, it moves soil quickly without the mess. The scoop shape allows for precise backfilling around plants and easy pouring into cells, while also making it simple to refresh containers or measure out soil amendments like compost, worm castings, or biochar. Durable and reliable, it’s a practical upgrade from small scoops that slow you down.
XLUX Soil Moisture Meter
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Ho-Mi Digger – Korean Triangle Blade
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Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability.
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