The Rise of the Productive Garden: Why More Clients Want to Grow Their Own

Former tennis court now a productive garden with surrounding edible woodland

There's been a noticeable shift in the conversations we're having with clients over the past few years. Where once the focus (at least to start with) might have been purely on aesthetics – the perfect lawn, the architectural planting scheme, the statement water feature – now there's an additional question that comes up quite a bit: "Can we include space to grow our own food?"

The productive garden is having a moment. What was once the preserve of the dedicated vegetable gardener or the country estate kitchen garden has become an aspiration for homeowners of all kinds, from city courtyard owners to those with large suburban or rural plots. It's a change we're seeing across virtually all our projects, and it's one that's genuinely exciting to work with as designers.

Inside a former tennis court, bespoke raised corten planters

Why the Shift Towards Productive Gardens?

Several factors seem to be driving this renewed interest in growing food at home. The pandemic certainly played its part, with many people rediscovering the value of their outdoor spaces during lockdown and wanting to make better use of them. There was also the simple satisfaction of being able to grow something yourself when shop shelves occasionally looked a bit sparse.

But it goes deeper than that. There's a growing awareness of where our food comes from, how far it travels, and the environmental impact of our diets. Growing your own vegetables, fruit, and herbs – even on a small scale – offers a tangible way to reduce food miles and plastic packaging. For many clients, it's about taking back a bit of control and understanding the seasonality of produce in a way that supermarket shopping simply doesn't allow.

Then there's the wellness aspect. Time spent tending vegetables or picking soft fruit is time spent outdoors, moving gently, and connecting with natural cycles. Many of our clients talk about the therapeutic benefits of gardening, and there's something particularly rewarding about harvesting something you've grown from seed or cutting. The mental health benefits of gardening are increasingly well documented, and growing food adds an extra dimension to that sense of achievement.

Integrating Productive Elements into Garden Design

The wonderful thing about productive gardening today is that it doesn't have to mean sacrificing aesthetics. Gone are the days when vegetables were banished to a utilitarian plot behind the shed. Modern productive gardens can be beautiful, architecturally interesting spaces that sit comfortably alongside ornamental planting.

We often design raised beds in materials that complement the property – whether that's weathered steel for a contemporary space, reclaimed brick for a period property, or oak sleepers for a more rustic feel. These structures become design features in their own right, providing strong lines and definition to a space. They're also incredibly practical, offering better drainage, warmer soil, and easier access for looking after the crop.

The placement of productive areas has to be carefully considered. Most vegetables need good sunlight – six hours or more during the growing season – so we're often looking at south or west-facing positions. We’ve also had success with shadier edible woodland gardens however. Some of our most successful designs have integrated raised beds or productive borders much closer to the house, making it easier for clients to pop out and harvest ingredients for dinner.

Fruit trees and soft fruit can be trained against walls and fences, taking up minimal ground space whilst adding structure and seasonal interest. Espaliered apples or pears create living garden sculpture, whilst a trained fig or grapevine can turn a sunny wall into a productive asset. Even in smaller gardens, a well-placed fruit tree – perhaps one of the compact varieties on dwarfing rootstock – can provide blossom in spring, dappled shade in summer, and fruit in autumn.

Surrounding edible woodland

Transforming Existing Structures: A Tennis Court Success Story

One of our most rewarding recent projects demonstrates perfectly how you can get creative with structures that are already in your garden. We worked with a client who had an old tennis court that hadn't been used in years. Rather than going to the considerable expense of renovating it – something they simply weren't interested in – they were keen to transform it into a productive garden.

It turned out to be an inspired choice. Tennis courts are typically generously sized spaces, and this one was positioned in full sun at one end – absolutely perfect for growing many vegetables. We crushed the existing base and repurposed it as hardcore, which not only saved removing waste but provided excellent drainage beneath the new growing areas.

We designed bespoke raised beds that gave the space structure and visual interest, and enclosed the entire productive garden with a beautiful hazel hurdle fence and gates. The natural, woven aesthetic of the hazel complements the rural setting whilst providing enclosure and protection from wind (and rabbits). Around the perimeter, we created an edible woodland edge garden that softens the transition from the productive space to the wider garden and provides habitat for beneficial wildlife as well as many edible species which can take some shadier conditions.

What makes this project particularly rewarding is the transformation from a disused, poorly performing space to one that offers so much, especially because it has involved re-using material. Existing structures – whether that's an old tennis court, a neglected patio area, or an unused corner of the garden – can be reimagined and transformed. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones that are already there, just waiting for a fresh perspective.

During the build, bespoke corten steel planters, hazel hurdle fencing and local gravel

Beyond the Basics: Herbs, Flowers, and Pollinator-Friendly Planting

Many clients are also thinking beyond traditional vegetables. Herb gardens, positioned near the kitchen door, are almost universally requested now. There's something wonderfully immediate about being able to step outside and snip fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil whilst cooking.

We're also seeing increased interest in growing cut flowers. A dedicated cutting garden can provide flowers for the house whilst supporting pollinators. These can be beautiful spaces in their own right, combining productivity with ornamental value. Dahlias, sweet peas, cosmos, and lacy Amni majus all put on a spectacular show whilst keeping the vases topped up throughout summer.

The pollinator aspect can't be overstated. A productive garden done well is a haven for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Many clients are keen to support local wildlife, and a vegetable garden surrounded by flowering herbs and companion plants becomes a buzzing, biodiverse space that benefits the whole garden ecosystem.

Wild naturalistic planting surrounding the productive garden

Practical Considerations

Of course, productive gardening does require commitment. We're always honest with clients about the time and effort involved. One or two raised beds might need an hour or two a week during the growing season, whilst a more ambitious productive garden will require significantly more. Water is another consideration – most vegetables need regular watering during dry spells, so we often discuss this at an early stage and explore possibilities for water harvesting and storage.

Storage is important too. We try to incorporate practical storage solutions that don't detract from the garden's overall aesthetic – perhaps a bespoke timber store or a screened utility area tucked discreetly away.

Crop rotation, soil health, and seasonal planning all come into play for anyone serious about growing their own. We can work with clients to understand these cycles and design spaces that can adapt throughout the year, perhaps with cold frames for extending the season or greenhouse space for starting seeds and growing tender crops.

Corten steel water storage

A Garden That Gives Back

What makes productive gardens so rewarding to design is that they offer something tangible back to their owners. There's the obvious benefit of fresh, organic produce, but there's also that deeper connection to the seasons and the satisfaction of self-sufficiency, however modest.

For children, productive gardens offer hands-on learning about where food comes from and the patience required to grow it. Family gardens where strawberry beds and cherry tomatoes are positioned specifically for small hands to reach can create a space that engages the whole household.

The rise of the productive garden shows no sign of slowing down. Whether it's a few pots of herbs on a terrace, a modest raised bed or two, or a comprehensive kitchen garden, clients are increasingly wanting their outdoor spaces to do more than simply look good. They want gardens that work hard, that contribute, and that connect them to the natural world in practical ways.

If you're considering incorporating productive elements into your garden design, now is an excellent time to start planning, and if you'd like to read more about our tennis court transformation project click here