A Farm-Style Garden Enclosure for a Westchester Estate
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Case Study: A Farm-Style Garden Enclosure for a Westchester Estate
When the homeowners looked at their property, they didn’t see a problem—they saw potential. The challenge was a sloped plot with noticeable changes in elevation, and they wanted to put that land to work while creating plenty of planting space in a layout that felt intentional and easy to maintain.
Kitchen Garden of Westchester founder Bruce Davison designed and built a solution that embraced the terrain rather than fighting it: a tiered raised-bed garden that follows the natural slope of the land.
The Challenge: Turning a Slope Into a Productive Garden
A garden on a slope can be difficult—watering patterns shift, paths can be awkward, and traditional bed layouts often don’t sit well on uneven ground. But the homeowners wanted to use this area specifically because of the elevation change, and they wanted the result to feel integrated into the landscape.
Together, we agreed that a tiered garden was the smartest approach: it would allow the beds to step down the hillside naturally, increase usable growing area, and create a strong visual rhythm across the space.
The Build: Extra-Large Raised Beds for Maximum Planting
To deliver the generous planting space the owners hoped for, Bruce built extra-large raised beds, each approximately 12 feet long—a substantial size that supports serious growing throughout the season.
Despite their scale, the beds remain comfortable to work with because the layout was designed for access. You can walk all the way around each bed and reach plants easily from both sides—making planting, maintenance, and harvesting far simpler than it would be in a one-sided or crowded layout.
Vertical Growing: Arch Trellises for Vining Vegetables
To expand capacity even further and improve airflow and harvesting, the garden includes arched trellises—ideal for vining vegetables. These arches add structure and beauty while supporting healthy, high-yield climbing crops.
Smart Protection: A Rabbit Fence Within a Deer-Fenced Property
The property already had a deer fence surrounding the entire estate, but smaller pests can still be a problem in productive gardens. To help protect young plants and tender greens, Bruce installed an additional four-foot fence around the garden area to discourage rabbits—a practical layer of protection that keeps the garden thriving.
The Result: A Sloped-Site Garden That’s Beautiful, Efficient, and Easy to Use
This tiered garden transforms a challenging hillside into a highly functional growing space—offering:
- A design that fits the land naturally
- Large, productive beds with maximum planting area
- Easy access from all sides for comfortable maintenance
- Arched trellises for vertical growing and visual appeal
- Thoughtful fencing to protect the harvest
The finished garden is proof that with the right design, a slope isn’t a limitation—it’s an opportunity to build something truly special.