Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Best Edible Garden 2017: An Iowa Homestead by Under a Tin Roof

Search

Best Edible Garden 2017: An Iowa Homestead by Under a Tin Roof

August 9, 2017

The winner of the 2017 Gardenista Considered Design Awards Best Edible Garden is Kayla Haupt of Under a Tin Roof in Kalona, Iowa.

Haupt’s project was chosen as a finalist by Gardenista editor Michelle Slatalla, who said of the project, “The family that gardens together eats delicious salads together, and this beautiful edible garden is proof of that. Organic growing methods, a greenhouse made of reclaimed windows, and free range chickens are on my own edible garden wish list, as well.”

N.B. This is the first of eight posts spotlighting the winners of the 2017 Gardenista Considered Design Awards. Go to this year’s Considered Design Awards page to see all the entries, finalists, and winners, and have a look at the Remodelista Considered Design Awards, too.

Photography by Kayla Haupt.

Above: “An overview of our kitchen garden, overlooking our many edible plants including various squashes, heirloom tomatoes, peppers, greens, brassicas, potatoes, onions, and herbs.”

Under a Tin Roof’s Design Statement: “The Under A Tin Roof residential homestead was started after a family passion to grow their own food began early in the year. With a collection of creative engineering, design, and love of plants and sustainability, the homestead grew into a garden and greenhouse.”

Above: “Our greenhouse is a seasonal greenhouse and was built using reclaimed windows. Designed by Kurt, the father and husband behind our family, it was constructed in the early months of this year. We grew all of our vegetables from seed inside and are now using it to house succulents and flowers.”

Q: Where do you live?
A: We live in eastern Iowa, in a small farming community of about 2,500 people, half of which are Amish. We see a lot of inspiring farm settings and landscape design daily, so it was a no-brainer to try a hand at it ourselves. Our garden is located in our backyard—a residential property just under an acre. We were extremely lucky to have been given amazing soil for growing and already established trees.

Above: “Our garden houses many edible plants and vegetables that we grew from seed inside our greenhouse. We often go out to weed and care for the plants as a family. Our main goal is grow only the plants that we need to eat as a family of four, and for those plants to be grown organically.”

Q: What were your practical goals for the project?
A: We knew that we wanted to change our lifestyle to one that was more sustainable, and the garden was truly the first step in that process. Our aim was to create a kitchen garden that could provide food for our family throughout the entire year, a place where we could teach ourselves the art of growing our own food. We never thought that it would be this successful!

Above: “All of our vegetables are being grown organically from seed. A large passion is to grow better food over all and source as much of our food locally as possible. When our family decided to try growing our own food, we never expected these magnificent results!”

Q: What solutions did you find to your design problems?
A: Most of our design problems stemmed from trying to keep a budget, like building our greenhouse out of reclaimed windows. Using antique items can end up being more expensive than you bargained for. With luck, we were able to get past that burden by finding over half of the windows in the greenhouse for a dollar apiece and being gifted the rest from friends.

Above: “This is where we now house various succulents and other flowering plants. All of our vegetables were started here from seed. The greenhouse is seasonal and not heated. We will use it in the spring and summer months, and we are hoping to try growing cold-hardy vegetables inside in the winter.”

Q: What advice do you have for someone undertaking a similar project?
A: Just go for it! To create a garden that is functional to you and your family is entirely based upon your preferences. If you want to change your lifestyle, eat more vegetables, spend less time at the grocery store, then you have be willing to take the time to teach yourself the steps. You have to have a brewing passion for this type of life, or else you’ll let it fall to the wayside. I spend a majority of my days researching all I can about how to work our garden; if that passion did not exist, neither would our produce.

Above: “Each of our beds is planted with organized chaos in mind. This year, we decided to try companion planting. We have twelve beds, and every single bed has a mix of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Each of these plants has a way of helping its neighbor either by providing nutrients, shading, or flavor.”

Q: What is your day job?
A: I am a blogger and contemporary fiber artist. I’m also a single, stay-at-home mom.

Above: “These begonias have been absolutely striking this year!”

Q: What is your favorite local shop or garden nursery?
A: We have two adorable little Amish nurseries here in town. One is called Maple Avenue Greenhouse and the other is Southwest Valley Greenhouse. Both have amazing quality plants of all kinds; that’s where I head when I have need of a new succulent.

Above: “We are trying our best to use organic methods to keep pests and other critters away from our precious harvest. Marigolds act as a deterrent to many garden pests including rabbits, deer, and insects.”

Q: Where do you get your design inspiration?
A: We were really inspired after looking into the gardens of Colonial Williamsburg. We wanted something classic, a little rustic, with our own modern touches. Our greenhouse, with the reclaimed windows, has a great antique vibe. We loved the idea of the picket fence, but were scared that if we painted it white, everything would look too perfect. We kept the cedar bare and hope to have that perfect weathered look within the next few years. This is very evident in the replica gardens of the 18th century. They were organized, but did not make everything flashy.

Above: “We love colonial and Americana-inspired decor, so we thought a touch of history was welcome in the garden. We hope to add on to this theme with some wooden tomato cages and other structures as the garden grows throughout the season.”

Q: What are your favorite features of the project?
A: I love our greenhouse, especially from the inside. Every time I step in, I feel like getting to work on something, whether that’s planting new seeds or tending to my succulents. We’ve been able to start all of the plants in our garden in that tiny thing, and I still get excited every time I see new growth popping up from under the soil.

Above: “We love our garden and walking out to see this view in the early morning as we let out the chickens to roam. It’s a beautiful and peaceful sight!”

Q: What was your biggest splurge?
A: The picket fence. We knew that we needed a way to keep the abundance of neighborhood rabbits at bay. At first, we were going to line the entire plot with marigolds and other flowers to hopefully prevent their entry, but decided that we would eventually need everything to be fenced in. I am so glad that we did, even though it did cost a pretty penny for an entire cedar fence, because it’s kept the rabbits out and is so pretty to look at. So worth it!

Finally, learn how to successfully design and create an edible garden with our Hardscaping 101: Edible Gardens guide.

(Visited 280 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0