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Rebecca’s comment on her garden being small and close to the house reminded me of the whole premise of what is popularly called a Cottage Garden. The cottage garden style has had a rise in popularity over my life time, but I’m not sure how many people who use this style around their homes really make their gardens working gardens.

I found this great article on the working or cottage garden which explains some of the history and lists plants that are considered “appropriate” cottage garden plants. I will just say that traditionally the cottage garden has been used for food production as well as for providing the family with medicinal herbs. A modern gardener could start by planting a ‘Zapotec Pleated’ or a ‘Tangerine Pimiento’ amongst their perennials and it would be quite beautiful. You could also edge a border in leaf lettuces which come in a lot of lovely shades of red and green.

One tomato plant wouldn’t feed your family for the year or anything but a well chosen heirloom variety could show you what a tomato is really supposed to taste like and make a convincing argument for expansion next year.