A Kitchen Garden Fit for Fall: Teen Gardener’s Front Yard Makeover

“Even in a shaded, urban yard, it’s possible to grow an abundant kitchen garden with the right design and materials. This project in Maryland transformed a small, sloped front yard—the only sunny area on the property—into a productive space for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers.”

— Renaud Beauchard

Finding the Right Spot

The homeowner wanted a kitchen garden where her daughters could learn to grow vegetables and enjoy the process of planting, tending, and harvesting their own food. The main challenge: almost no sun. Mature trees shaded most of the yard, leaving few options for a productive garden space.

After a site visit, we identified a dying tree in the front yard that could safely be removed. Once it was gone, it revealed the only sunny area on the property—a gently sloped section near the front walkway. That spot became the foundation for the new kitchen garden.

Building the Foundation

The garden was built using the Earth Easy 8" x 8" Cedar Raised Garden Kit, chosen for its durable materials and built-in deer fencing. I provided the layout dimensions for the foundation, and the client’s contractor handled the site prep, adding lumber edging and a gravel base over landscape fabric. The raised bed was then assembled and filled with Veteran Compost’s raised bed mix, creating a healthy growing medium.

Planting the Garden

Once the structure was ready, I joined the client at the local farmers market to help select high-quality vegetable starts. Together, we created a planting plan that balanced productivity and beauty. The garden included tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and cucumbers, along with herbs, zinnias, and marigolds to attract pollinators. Tomatoes were planted along the north side to prevent shading the other crops.

Meeting the Goal

The result is a sunny, productive kitchen garden that perfectly fits the site and the client’s goals. The Earth Easy kit proved to be a great solution for a small urban yard—beautiful, sturdy, and practical, with about 45 square feet of growing space. The total cost came in under $5,000, and with its gravel foundation and cedar construction, the garden should last at least five years.

Highlights

• The only viable garden spot was found in the front yard—proof that productive gardens don’t have to be hidden away.

• Removing a dying tree created just enough sunlight for vegetables to thrive.

• The Earth Easy raised bed kit offered a tidy, durable, and deer-resistant structure.

• A simple gravel foundation improved drainage and longevity.

• A balanced mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers keeps the garden both functional and beautiful.

Lessons Learned

• Even heavily shaded properties often have one usable microclimate worth investing in.

• Ready-made kits like the Earth Easy system can simplify installation and keep projects affordable.

• Partnering with clients on plant selection—especially through a farmers market visit—helps ensure healthy, regionally appropriate starts.

• Laying the bed on gravel over landscape fabric reduces weeds and extends the lifespan of the wood.

• With a good foundation and quality soil, small urban gardens can be highly productive and easy to maintain.

Come join me on a spooky season tour of the garden.

🎥 Take a Tour:
See how this front yard kitchen garden came together—watch the full video tour here and get a closer look at the layout, planting plan, and the Earth Easy kit in action.

From Shade to Sunshine: A Teen’s Garden Takes Root