A Sunny Front Yard into a Kitchen Garden.

A bright and abundant front yard kitchen garden that proves good design can thrive anywhere.

When this homeowner first considered growing vegetables, the obvious choice seemed to be the backyard. But after walking the property together, it became clear that the front yard offered far better sunlight—the key ingredient for a productive, thriving kitchen garden.

By rethinking the location, we transformed an underused part of the front yard into a beautiful and highly productive raised bed garden that now serves as a welcoming focal point for the home.

A Sunny Opportunity

The front yard received full sun throughout the day—perfect conditions for growing vegetables. We began by clearing the space and preparing a level foundation of gravel bordered with lumber, ensuring proper drainage and a clean, structured look.

For the main growing area, I recommended the EarthEasy 8’x8’ raised bed kit with a built-in deer fence—a practical and attractive solution that keeps wildlife out while complementing the home’s exterior. With about 45 square feet of growing space, this single raised bed is surprisingly efficient, offering plenty of room for a mix of seasonal crops.

Building the Garden

Each element of this garden was designed for both function and beauty. The gravel foundation provides stability and weed control, while the lumber border gives the garden crisp, defined edges.

A Vigo Garden metal raised bed was added to expand growing space and introduce variety. These metal beds come with integrated trellises, perfect for climbing crops like peas, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Together, the two raised bed systems form a cohesive, highly productive layout that’s easy to maintain.

Seasonal Abundance

In spring, the homeowners planted peas, spinach, and carrots, all of which thrived in the full sun. When summer arrived, the garden transitioned seamlessly to warm-season crops like tomatoes and cucumbers, producing an impressive yield for such a compact space.

With thoughtful crop rotation and efficient layout, this small-space garden delivers fresh produce from early spring through late fall.

Supporting Pollinators

To complement the vegetables, we designed a pollinator garden along one edge of the space. This strip features purple asters and other native perennials, creating color, attracting bees and butterflies, and increasing pollination across the kitchen beds.

Planting followed a simple principle: tall plants to the north, medium in the middle, and shorter varieties toward the front. This layering allows every plant to receive light while maintaining a balanced, natural look.

Smart Watering

The EarthEasy kit includes a built-in watering system with a drip line, delivering water directly to the roots where plants need it most. This setup keeps foliage dry, conserves water, and makes daily maintenance simple—especially during hot summer months.

Efficient irrigation means less time watering and more time enjoying the garden’s growth and harvest.

Beauty and Productivity in Harmony

This garden proves that a front yard can be as practical as it is beautiful. Instead of hiding vegetables behind the house, the homeowners embraced the idea of growing food where the sunlight—and visibility—are best.

The result is a garden that’s not only highly productive but also enhances curb appeal, creating a space that’s inviting, efficient, and full of life.

Highlights

Prime location: Full sun exposure in the front yard supports strong, healthy growth.
Efficient design: 45 square feet of growing space yields abundant crops year-round.
Beautiful structure: Raised beds with gravel foundations and trellises create a clean, attractive look.
Pollinator-friendly: Asters and other native perennials attract beneficial insects.
Built-in watering system: EarthEasy’s drip irrigation keeps plants healthy and maintenance easy.

Lessons Learned

This project shows how flexibility and smart design can redefine what a kitchen garden can be:

Sunlight matters most: The best location for vegetables may not be where you expect.
Form supports function: Clean edges, proper foundations, and trellises make maintenance easier and improve aesthetics.
Diversity drives success: Pairing vegetables with pollinator plants creates balance and resilience.
Efficiency pays off: Built-in watering systems keep plants healthy and gardeners happy.

A Front Yard Success Story

This front yard kitchen garden demonstrates how a thoughtful layout, the right materials, and a bit of creativity can transform even a small space into a productive, visually stunning oasis. It’s proof that beauty and abundance can thrive right at your doorstep.

Front Yard Kitchen Garden: Small Space, Big Harvest