May 26 update

Raised garden beds on May 26, 2009



A bean tower has been constructed in the center of the Sensory Garden bed. It is planted with Speckled Cranberry string bean, which is a variety brought to the U.S. from England circa 1825.

Scott planted the seeds of Detroit dark red beet and early Blood turnip (circa 1825) in the Mixed Vegetable Bed #1. He also set out parsley plants in this bed.


Mixed Vegetable Bed #2 has been planted with the seeds of the Dragon carrot (it's purple!), and two types of radishes: English Breakfast and Pink Slipper.



The Ornamental raised bed is completely planted with drought-resistant annual flowering plants. There are both heirloom and modern hybrid varieties.

What's growing?

What's growing in these five raised garden beds?

1. Sensory garden bed
This bed has been planted with a variety of annuals and perennials: thyme, scented geranium, sweet mace, fennel, hyssop, sage, lemon balm, lambs ear, and rosemary. Scott Clarke used cocoa hulls as mulch. The cocoa hulls retain moisture, control weeds, add organic matter to reduce the need for added fertilizers, and smell like chocolate.

2. Mixed vegetable bed
This bed has been planted with kale, cabbage, chard, and leeks.

3. Tomato cage demonstration
Six different supports have been installed in this bed--some commercially available and others made by Scott. The six heirloom tomato varieties planted here are Aussie, Yellow Gooseberry, Brandywine, Chadwick's cherry, Speckled Roman paste, and Black from Tula. The tomato companions planted in this bed are marigolds, strawberry spinach, calendula, and borage.

4. Mixed vegetable bed
Scott has installed a trellis and planted cucumbers in this bed.

5. Ornamental plants
Heirloom and modern hybrid varieties of drought-resistant annual flowering plants.

Planting the raised beds

Installing an irrigation line into one of the beds

Six different supports placed in the heirloom tomato bed

This mixed vegetable bed is planted with leeks, chard, cabbage, and kale

The planted beds as of May 18

Building the raised beds

Scott started working on the raised garden beds at the end of April and completed their construction about a week later.

The grass is marked and removed from the ground to expose the soil


Lumber laid out before construction


Completed raised bed


Raised beds filled with soil

Raised garden beds

Five raised garden beds, each measuring approximately 16 feet square, have been constructed on the north side of the farm cottage. Two beds will be dedicated to heirloom tomatoes with a variety of supports – some commercially available and others made by Scott Clarke. The remaining three beds will contain herbs, mixed vegetables, and ornamental plants, such as vines and drought-resistant annuals.

Check back with us regularly to learn about the progress of our farm project!

My Farm at Waltham: Watch Us Grow

In the early 1800s, when Christopher and Rebecca Gore lived here, the grounds of Gore Place extended south to the Charles River. Christopher Gore referred to their estate as “My Farm at Waltham”, on which he practiced innovative agricultural methods. The produce was grown for their table, for their animals, and to be sold at Quincy Market.

In order to tell the whole story of Gore Place – inside and out – we have started to think of the grounds as an exhibit that should be interpreted for visitors. The first step involves raised beds, which will be used to demonstrate different gardening techniques and how you can grow plants in your own backyard.