In 2003, when I first moved into my new (old) house, the living room was painted a tomato red, and the library a sunflower yellow. At the time, those were “in” colors, bright, cheerful and up lifting. Following the latest trends, however, those bright colors have been replaced by muted historic tones of blue and gray, a better fit for the vintage style. Yet I still cling to bright colors, with pillows and rugs to add accents.
Color has always inspired me in the kitchen garden, and thanks to my friend and brilliant designer, Poppy Gall, I can now dress the way I like to plant. Our friendship has endured over three decades, we’ve inspired each others work and revel in our mutual creativity. If you know the Vermont company, Darn Tough, her designs grace many of their wool socks. She was also the co-founder of Isis, a line of outerwear designed for women.
Lucky for us, she recently launched Popia, her new knitwear brand. She combines her signature fun loving style with colorful, nature inspired designs to create the ultimate merino hats. I’ll be wearing mine as I finish up my final garden chores this fall, and when I head out on trails through the woods this winter.
Over the years, I've learned that it is best to design a garden not based on what I know, but what I like. Decorating with color, whimsy, and personal style is the secret to having fun, turning work into play. I encourage you to look at your empty fall garden as an opportunity to add something that will engage your muse. Wear your most colorful hat to brighten your day, and those around you.
As always, my goal is to inspire you to grow a beautiful food garden and encourage you to share your creativity, and your individual garden style with others.
Grow beautiful food,
Ellen Ecker Ogden
Kitchen Garden Designs
p.s. please try my recipe for Vermont Apple Pie.
Author of The Complete Kitchen Garden and The New Heirloom Garden plus other books for Cooks who Love to Garden.