In my latest garden project, I embraced the gardening technique of companion planting by welcoming asparagus and strawberries into a new raised bed. I made it using the hugelkultur method, combining rotted tree trunks, branches, leaves and garden waste in layers with rich compost to create a garden bed measuring approximately 3 by 4 metres. I got the asparagus and strawberries from Stark Bros., a favorite online nursery of mine that I have had great success with.
This raised bed is part of a larger vision: growing a food forest on a part of our property that was not in use. This new venture includes a variety of fruit trees, berries and perennial herbs and vegetables. It’s still in its 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 plays a role, whether it is providing shade, attracting beneficial insects or fixing nitrogen in the soil. This layered approach not only maximizes space, but also improves the overall health and productivity of the garden.
The new raised bed with asparagus and strawberries fits perfectly into this food forest concept. It is intended to complement the surrounding fruit trees and perennial plants, adding both vertical and horizontal diversity to the structure. Every element of this food forest, including the new raised bed, works together to create a sustainable, productive environment.