Hi GPODers!
At the start of this year we were introduced to Mark Montgelas and his bountiful vegetable garden in Vermont (Check out that submission here: Mark’s Ornamental Vegetable Garden in Vermont). While veggies are often not recognized for their ornamental qualities to the same extent that our perennial and woody beds are, Mark’s veggie garden stands out with a gorgeous, tiered design an array of annual flowers.
I wanted to give you a look at my 2025 Vermont veggie garden. This has been a banner year, because of a combination of positive factors. The combination of a wet spring and a hot summer, where I can control the water intake has been superb. Also, I planted a cover crop last fall, that came up in the spring, and tilled it into my beds.
The vertical aspect of my climbers is also amazing. My indeterminate tomatoes, winter squash, pole beans and cucumbers can’t get enough of the climb. They are reaching for the sun and have found it.
My companion flowers have ushered in the pollinators. My zinnias, calendula and nasturtiums are thriving and giving my little friends buckets of treats. Hope you enjoy my garden look. I am certainly enjoying the harvest. Best wishes! Mark
Even a tricky spot can be a productive and beautiful garden with a little hardscaping. Turning a sloped section of lawn into tiered raised beds makes for a much more productive use of the space, and also allows Mark to separate his sprawling flowers from the rest of his vegetables.
While trellises of all shapes and sizes are popular in veggie gardens, you don’t need anything fancier than a simple T-frame. Three T-frames with connecting rope give strong support for climbing plants large and small, while not taking up tons of bed space. The main posts on these structures are also the perfect spot to hang a couple of birdhouses!
As Mark mentioned above, pollinators of all shapes and sizes flock to his bold annual blooms and can easily hop over to the neighboring flowers to pollinate his vegetables. This vibrant zinnia is being enjoyed by a busy bee.
Those strong supports also allow for some beautiful crop, like this maturing winter squash.
In some spots, flowers and crops combine for stunning results. While dill is a delicious herb, it’s also beautiful when let to flower and seed.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful (and bountiful) garden with us again, Doug! Your beds are an incredible example of the ways veggies can be just as delicious to the eyes as they are to taste.
Before your kitchen garden needs to be cleaned up (or transitioned to cold frames) for the winter, please consider sharing some photos of the crops you cultivated this year. Let us know what thrived, what struggled, and what you’re excited about trying next year. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!
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Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Gardener’s Log Book from NYBG
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features:
· Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil
· Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds
· Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when
· Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening
· Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting
· Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.
RAINPOINT Sprinkler Timer with Brass Swivel
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
– Pure brass water inlet and metal thread can withstand up to 116psi.
– Built-in metal filter gaskets can prevent sediment and other larger particles
– Through the Sprinkler Timer program, you can set the start time, watering duration, and watering frequency
New England Springport Arbor Trellis
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
The New England Springport Arbor brings classic style and smart function to any garden. Its flat-top design and crisp white vinyl finish create a clean, modern look—without the upkeep.
Perfect for small-space gardening, the half-lattice side panels support climbing plants like roses, clematis, or grapes, helping you grow vertically when ground space is limited.
Built-in eye hooks make it easy to hang flower baskets or garden décor, while the open top allows sunlight to filter through.
Whether used to frame a narrow path or define a cozy corner, this arbor adds structure, height, and charm to any small outdoor space.
