Suburban gardener maximizes her space for growing food
Master gardener and educator Debbie Kong.
Debbie Kong, a master gardener and gardening educator in Chicago’s western suburbs, gave us a tour recently of her spread. Debbie decided this year to expand her “farmette,” as we fondly refer to her garden, and use more of her land to grow food. She and her daughter, who’s known as Little Green Girl, worked hard this year to grow as much food in as little space as possible, she says.
Debbie planted her garden thoughtfully, planning every square foot like an architect trying to get the maximum use from a small lot on which to erect a tall building. To do that, she took advantage of some vertical farming concepts. And what is she growing? Watermelons, potatoes, strawberries, beans, tomatoes, eggplant, lettuces and a variety of rabbit-repelling plants.
Here’s a tour of one section of her urban farm:
A tour of Debbie’s garden from Cassandra West on Vimeo.
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Thank you Cassandra and Debbie. I wanted to plant watermelons next season and was going for the small ones only. My mother really likes the seedless ones. I will try my hand at a vertical watermelon planting so I can give her seedless melons! Do you have the specifications so I know how to build a sturdy structure? I also want to try green beans for the first time. Should I look to grow bush or pole beans?
Gwen, I may be doing a class in Chicago on vertical gardening this spring and we’ll post it details on it here. Most of the small melons I’ve grown do have seeds. If you find one without seeds please let us know!
I’ve grown both bush and pole beans. I think it depends on how much space you have. Grow pole beans if you have limited space. Happy gardening!
We are always amazed at Debbie’s talents: her art, her baking, her creative mind. And her
gardening is unbelievable: the tomatoes she grows are stellar and so flavorful, and the unusual melons
and greens and flowers take your breath away in her late summer garden.
We agree with you, Joy. Thanks for your comments.
Quite interesting! Especially the vertical gardening for the watermelons! Thanks!
Wow Debbie – The garden looks great this year. And I know that tour of watermelons around the edge is just part of what you are growing. Jeanne