‘Sense-ational Gardens’ Part 5: Savor Contentment–Growing, Gathering, and Sharing

Our final installment in the Sense-ational Gardens series invites us to savor the garden not simply for what it produces, but for the contentment it inspires.

When considering this topic, the vegetable garden naturally comes to mind. For generations, home gardens provided families with an essential source of fresh, seasonal nutrition. As modern conveniences made fruits, vegetables, and herbs readily available year-round, the traditional family vegetable plot gradually became less common, often replaced by busy schedules and changing lifestyles. For many, gardening remained a cherished hobby rather than a necessity.

Today, however, we are witnessing a renewed appreciation for growing our own food. As more families embrace sustainability, healthy living, and the reassurance of knowing where their food comes from, the home vegetable garden has experienced a welcome resurgence. Whether it’s a simple raised bed, a collection of herbs in containers on the patio, or an expansive kitchen garden filled with seasonal produce, these spaces offer far more than fresh ingredients. They provide the simple pleasure of harvesting your own food, the satisfaction of nurturing something from seed to table, and the joy of sharing your abundance with friends, family, and neighbors.

When designing a dedicated vegetable garden, I consider three essential elements. The first is sunlight, ensuring the plants receive the exposure they need to thrive. Equally important is proximity to the kitchen, making harvesting convenient and encouraging regular care. Finally, I consider how the vegetable garden complements the surrounding landscape. With careful planning and consistent maintenance, it can become a beautiful and functional part of the outdoor living experience. However, for homeowners who prefer a more refined or formal aesthetic in their primary outdoor living spaces, locating the vegetable garden in a dedicated area may be the better choice. This allows the productive nature of a working garden to flourish while preserving the intended character and visual appeal of the surrounding ornamental gardens and gathering spaces.

For those who have little interest in maintaining a traditional vegetable garden, edible plants can still become beautiful and functional components of an ornamental landscape. Lowbush blueberries create attractive hedges while providing a seasonal harvest. Grapevines can gracefully drape over a pergola, offering shade, texture, and fruit. A fig tree becomes both a lush focal point and a conversation piece. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and lavender blend effortlessly into perennial borders, container gardens, or pathways, contributing fragrance, texture, and culinary value. Even a carefully placed fruit tree can enrich the landscape with spring blossoms, sculptural form, welcome shade, and a rewarding harvest.

Perhaps that is the greatest lesson of savoring the garden. It is not solely about the food we gather, but about the experiences we cultivate. A garden nourishes more than our bodies—it nourishes our sense of place, our connection to nature, and the moments we share with those we love.

It has been a pleasure exploring the five senses through the Sense-ational Gardens series. My hope is that these articles have encouraged you to experience your outdoor spaces with greater awareness and appreciation. The most memorable gardens are those that engage all of our senses, inviting us to slow down, reconnect, and discover that the greatest luxury an outdoor space can offer is not simply beauty, but a richer way of living.

Tracy and Jason Bruno enjoy creating beautiful outdoor living spaces that add function and value to their clients’ properties. Both are master landscape designers with 40+ years of combined experience, and Jason is a certified building professional with the Pool and Hot Tub Association.