In my latest garden project, I embraced the gardening technique of companion planting by welcoming asparagus and strawberries into a new raised bed. I did it using great culture method, layering rotting logs, branches, leaves and yard waste with rich compost to create a garden bed that is about 10×12 feet. I source asparagus and strawberries starts from Stark Bros., a favorite online nursery of mine that I've had a lot of success with.
This raised bed is part of a larger vision – that of growing a food forest on a part of our property that was not being used. This new venture includes a variety of fruit trees, berries and perennial herbs and vegetables. It's still in the early stages, but the idea is to create an ecosystem that not only produces food, but also sustains itself with minimal intervention. In this food forest, every plant has a role, whether it's providing shade, attracting beneficial insects or fixing nitrogen in the soil. This layered approach not only maximizes space, but also increases the overall health and productivity of the garden.
The new raised bed of asparagus and strawberries fits perfectly into this food forest concept. It is meant to complement the surrounding fruit trees and perennials, and adds vertical and horizontal diversity to the structure. Every element of this food forest, including the new raised bed, works together to create a sustainable and productive environment.
