This was my first garden. I started it as an experiment about two years ago, to see if permaculture gardening techniques would work for me. I live in the suburbs, and this garden lies on the north wall of my house, in a concrete sideyard between my home and my neighbor's. It is protected on all four sides and gets maybe two or three hours of sun a day.

This garden is in a lesser-used zone; perhaps we could call it a zone 3 garden, since I visit every few days and then only for a quick peek.

Here are its present crops:

Peach tree Nectarine tree Two thornless blackberry bushes Strawberries Thyme Tuscan Blue Rosemary Italian Oregano Potatoes Chrysanthemum Tomato Apple mint

This has turned out to be a great place to visit for herbs when I want to snip something that will season my food. It seems to work best as a place for herbs and fruit; flowers and vegetables don't do as well here. I also tend to plant only plants that have already been well-started, since seedlings disappear quickly because of birds and slugs.