Kristina King and Kerry Hardy have a passion for all things organic. The Maine couple are living proof that self-sufficiency, craftsmanship, and the joy of doing things oneself are alive and well. Their compact 1/3-acre garden in Rockland, Maine, serves as an extended living space to their small home and a yearlong source of heirloom vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

Edibles and ornamentals thrive together in what Kristina calls their quilt garden. The interwoven planting scheme is an organic strategy that reduces pest damage by spreading crop plants throughout the garden instead of offering them up to a single tasty plot. The bugs here have to look harder to find what they seek, and the fragrances from mixed beds help stymie their search.

While the couple love to try new varieties from year to year, there are certain must-haves that Kristina plants every season: "I always include nasturtiums. I love how heirloom 'Moonlight' nasturtium tumbles and trails." In addition to fun foliage and edible flowers, the plant produces peppery leaves that Kristina adds to salads. White sweet alyssum is another favorite.

Published: April 2008