Nicole's Quick Take: I built this four-garden layout for a Houston client years ago, and it's still one of my favorite designs. Cedar raised beds, French obelisk trellises, and gravel paths all work together to turn an unused side yard into a garden that's still thriving today.

By Nicole Johnsey Burke: Founder of Gardenary and Author of Kitchen Garden Revival

Four-Garden Classic Layout with Cedar Raised Beds

This welcoming kitchen garden is a four-garden classic design I created for one of my original Houston-based Rooted Garden clients and friend, Lori, back in June of 2016. Originally, this was a side yard covered in grass that was rarely used by the family. Now, there is almost 100 square feet of growing space between the four beds.

A kitchen garden shouldn't just be a place to grow flowers and a little bit of your own food. It should also be a natural extension of your home. To achieve that effect for Lori's house, we lined up her raised beds with the edges of her large screened-in porch.

Lori's kitchen garden is located on the corner in a neighborhood that's busy with walkers and constant activity. As people pass by, they often peer through the fence to see what's growing in this beautiful and productive space. A garden like this is a conversation starter and, we hope, inspiration for other gardeners looking to improve their growing capabilities.

The materials selected for raised beds can mean the difference between having a garden and having a gorgeous hardscaping piece that is the focal point of your outdoor area, a place where you're proud to bring guests and entertain.

Cedar Raised Beds

These raised beds are constructed with untreated cedar boards. The dimensions are 4' x 6' x 1' for a total of nearly 100 square feet of growing space. Cedar is a durable timber that will perform well for years to come if left untreated.

We built these beds in the Gardenary style with the extra cedar used as top trim. This gives you a nice little surface to rest on or set down your beverage of choice (morning coffee, evening cocktail—we're not judging!) while you're tending the garden.

French-Inspired Obelisk Garden Trellises

This garden features two obelisk trellises. Their shape, reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, enhances the French feel of the home's architecture. The metal material was selected to match the ornate bench, the light fixtures, and the fence around the yard. Plus, this metal is durable and food safe.

The shape of an obelisk trellis is perfect for vining plants like cucumbers.

Gravel Garden Pathways and Metal Border

The gravel walkways around this four-garden classic serve several purposes. They prevent weeds, promote better drainage, and provide easy access to each bed. (Who wants to head outside to garden only to step in mud?) The gravel also delineates the garden as its own space, separate from the rest of the yard.

I'm often asked how I keep grass out of garden spaces, and the answer is metal garden edging. This provides a clean border for the space and keeps gravel on one side and lawn on the other.

I couldn't wait to get planting the second these beds were installed, and in the five plus years since, many wonderful and delicious things have grown here.

Beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers love climbing up these obelisk trellises. During the long Houston summers, peppers, okra, sweet potatoes, arugula, and herbs like basil thrive in this garden. Lori loves adding sunny marigolds in the corners of her raised beds to attract pollinators into her yard.

During the cool season, Lori fills her beds with lots of beautiful lettuce plants and kale. She turns her obelisk trellises over to climbing peas.

Copper plant tags help Lori remember what she's planted where.

Garden design is important for several reasons. First of all, you want to maximize your growing space. Lori is lucky to have a sun-filled side yard to convert to garden space, but many of us need to take advantage of the smaller patches we have to grow. A garden designer can help you use your space fully, without sacrificing aesthetics or accessibility.

Another reason garden design is important is accessibility. These raised beds are designed to be easier to tend than in-ground gardens. What's the point of planting something and using up resources to grow it if it's hard to reach and feels like a chore to care for?

Here are three tips to improve your garden design:

Tip Number One: Match the Style of Your Home

Lori's home has a welcoming, laid-back French country feel. We wanted the garden to feel like a natural extension of her home, so we chose materials that complemented her paint and accent colors and architectural style.

Different trellis styles pair better with different home styles. An obelisk feels French and formal, while a panel trellis reads more modern and clean. See the comparison below to find the one that fits your space.

Tip Number Two: Utilize Vertical Growing Space

The addition of the obelisk trellises helps plants that would otherwise consume most of these raised beds grow upward instead. Read more on how to choose the right trellis option for your garden.

Tip Number Three: Work with a Professional Garden Designer

Designing and planning a garden from scratch can be intimidating, let alone thinking about DIY installation. A Gardenary-certified designer can help you maximize your growing space and create a beautiful and productive raised bed kitchen garden in your backyard. A designer knows how to select the best location for your garden based on sun conditions, how to place your beds to increase available square footage, and how to design your garden to be an extension of your home, something that feels like it's always been there growing fresh food for your entire family to enjoy.

This garden layout has always been one of my favorites. When I asked Lori to share a few words about her garden, she said, "This has been the most rewarding 'home' project I have ever undertaken."

I hope this inspires you to undertake your own "home" project and finally bring that garden you've been dreaming about to fruition.