Most people overcomplicate their garden. I like to think of it as building a small ecosystem—one layer at a time. Here’s a simple way to approach it: 1. Start with the edges I always begin with the border. This is where herbs and flowers go—things like chives, thyme, calendula, or alyssum. They’re not just decorative. They: - attract pollinators - bring in beneficial insects - help with pest balance - and give the garden structure from day one This edge sets the tone for everything else. 2. Anchor the garden with your main crops Next, I place the biggest, most important plants. These are your fruiting crops: - spring → peas - summer → tomatoes, cucumbers I usually run these up a trellis through the center. This creates vertical growth, saves space, and gives the garden a strong backbone. 3. Layer in the roots Once the structure is in place, I add root crops right alongside. Radishes, carrots, beets… They work below the surface while your fruiting plants grow above.Different layers, same space. 4. Fill with leafy greens Then come the greens—tucked just inside the border. Lettuce, arugula, spinach. I like to seed some and also plant a few starts so there’s something ready to harvest early on. This is where people start to feel momentum. 5. Don’t skip the “in-between” layer This is the one most people miss. Between the herbs and the greens, I always place a few longer-season plants: - kale - Swiss chard - parsley These hold the garden together over time and keep it productive beyond the first harvests. 6. Add your protectors Finally, I bring in the strong-smelling plants: - garlic - onions - chives They help create a bit more resilience in the system and round everything out. 🌱 That’s it It’s not about planting more. It’s about placing plants in relationship to each other—so the garden starts to support itself. If you follow this structure, even a small raised bed can become: - productive - beautiful - and surprisingly low-maintenance