Hillside Vegetable Garden
San Fernando Valley
This unique garden sits atop a delightful hill with 300-degree views in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. The open location allows for sensational sunlight exposure year round. In the height of summer it also means one needs to skillfully plant so that certain heat sensitive plants can survive the intense mid-afternoon temperatures.
The presence of huge 70-year-old eucalyptus trees presented another challenge. Each planting box required lining underground with chicken wire to prevent root invasion. The untreated pine boxes were designed in an undulating shape along the fence. A top board allows one to sit while working in the garden. A single standard Pomegranate stands in the middle of the decomposed granite surface surrounded by a collection of herbs that act as a green mulch.
The simple pergola will be covered by a grapevine in time and make the space very pleasant to host evening dinner parties. Off to one side of the garden a mini orchard of about 12 trees will provide ample fruit for the family within two years. Another entire side of the garden has a 2ft wide perennial flower bed to provide flowers for the household.