Hailing from a long line of vegetable gardeners, they’ve tended this plot for 17 seasons.
A border of coneflowers, bee balm, andShasta daisiesgreets all who enter through the handcrafted gate.
Cabbages, carrots, tomatoes, squash, and beans interplanted with flowers grow abundantly here.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
The geometry of the raised beds shapes the kitchen garden’s design, but there’s no stuffiness.
Here are their hard-earned, down-to-earth tips for growing a successful vegetable garden.
Be playful in how you plant.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
The Ramseys were inspired to build a “bean house” after seeing a garden teepee built for children.
Enjoy your garden year-round with a greenhouse.
The Ramseys start seeds and grow tender plants here in early spring.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Storing her tools in one spot helps keep the greenhouse organized.
During the winter, the greenhouse is a getaway for writing, drawing, or napping.
Mary Alice also uses it as a gallery for her botanical paintings.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Grow vegetables and flowers together.
Pretty meets practical whenvegetables and flowers come together.
Flowers lure pollinators, which increase veggie yields and motivate gardeners to tend their plots.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
“The blooms get us out there to weed,” Mary Alice says.
Amp up your soil with compost.
These beds warm early and are a smart way to extend the growing season in the mountains.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Pick reliable selections.
The high-altitude location of the Ramseys' garden means a shorter growing season.
Erratic weather is also a challenge.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Wet years promote disease, and dry ones demand diligent watering.
Plant with a purpose.
Invite good bugs into the garden.
Credit: Valerie Giles/Getty Images
Educate yourself.
Mary Alice advises beginning gardeners to learn as much as they can from written resources.
Her favorite book isSquare Foot Gardeningby Mel Bartholomew.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
She also recommends readingBringing Nature Homeby Doug Tallamy.
Her all-time best gardening tip though?
“Take delight in your plants!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Among greens, lettuces, chard, and kale are easiest to grow.
Zucchini and peppers are great summer vegetables for beginning gardeners.
Plant according to your last frost date and the soil temperature needed by each plant.
Radishes, peas, many greens, and potatoes can be planted in early spring.
Beds should be no more than 2-3 feet wide unless they can be accessed from all sides.
