Grand scale gardening in a CWE backyard

When I ran into Judy Matthews at a recent neighborhood event, she suggested that I might want to come photograph the vegetable garden she and her husband, Wistar Holt, have created in their CWE backyard. I jumped at the chance because I have been so interested in the current gardening trend of growing vegetables wherever you can find a spot (see previous post on Anna Cardot's rooftop vegetable gardening here).

I was completely unprepared however, for the size and scope of the Matthews/Holt vegetable garden, and how beautifully it meshes with the rest of the huge backyard. The family has had a vegetable plot for about ten years. The raised beds, which are located behind a hedge bordering the driveway, are constructed of boards made from recycled plastic pots available through the Missouri Botanical Garden's pots to planks program. Before this year's planting season, landscaper Neal Moylan reworked the beds. He cleared out the old soil, replaced it, and topped it with leaf mulch. They also installed a sprinkler system.

Judy and Wistar grow enough vegetables to feed a small army, which is a necessity when their  blended family of 7 children get together.  Earlier in the season, Judy was harvesting arugula and butter lettuce, but now that it's hotter she's harvesting a wide variety of vegetables including cucumbers, yellow and red peppers, jalapenos, pablanos, zucchini, heirloom tomatoes, and beets, see below. Squash grows on racks purchased from Gardener's Supply Company, above. All of the beds are surrounded by a 2' tall section of chicken wire to keep rabbits out. Last weekend Judy installed "the Fort Knox" of screens (not pictured) over the tomato beds, to prevent squirrels from getting the goods.

Judy and Wistar worked with landscape designers, The Two Sallys (CWEnder Sally Nikolajevich and Sally Cohn,) to come up with a landscape plan for the grassy area beyond the pool. The couple knew they wanted an extensive vegetable garden, and a shady spot to sit and view the garden. The Two Sallys suggested a formal pergola  covered in roses to the east (see photos below) and a prairie garden in the middle as a transition between the two. Sally and Sally had worked with Gary Schimmelpfenig, a biologist who specializes in native Missouri landscapes, and contracted him to plant the prairie garden. Five years later the garden is a riot of color from the plants that have proliferated there. Judy says that you have to look fast as the color changes every other day. One day there is an orangey hue to the native garden, and the next, it could be purple or yellow.

There is a dining table under the rose-covered pergola, above and below, where Judy and Wistar enjoy evening meals.

Judy said that they will often remark as they are sitting under the pergola and hear the Metro Link whiz past every once in a while (they enjoy the sound, by the way), "Isn't it amazing that we are in the middle of the city and we have this beautiful view to enjoy?" Indeed it is.

A stunning hydrangea, above, thrives beside a natural swimming pool.

Judy asked if I thought I could get a photo of the baby birds in the nest next to the pool, as it was too high for them to see. Apparently I hate to say "no," because I climbed up on a chair and angled my camera to get the shot above, hoping my attempt wouldn't result in being dive-bombed by the mother bird.

Thanks to Judy and Wistar for sharing their absolutely stunning backyard. I know you have enjoyed the visit. Here is contact info for landscaper Neal Moylan, (314) 277-6095.