We have lived under the paradigm that kitchen/edible/vegetable gardening is both time consuming, difficult and unattractive. Why do we have such a negative view of vegetable gardens?

I know until recently, vegetable gardening in Toronto has been associated with poverty and hardship. For instance, take Cabbage Town, the area got its name in the 1900s from the poor Irish traditionally growing the humble vegetable in their yards and neighbouring plots and fields.

And the tradition continued. Every new group of immigrants that moved into Toronto started growing their own food. Most grew their food out of necessity, and many grew them out of nostalgia and many others grew vegetables because vegetables varieties were limited – vegetables like rapini or bok choy were not readily available in mainstream supermarkets until 20 years ago.

Vegetable gardening has become more mainstream over the last 10 years, due to efforts of many Torontonians including Toronto’s own Gayla Trail, founder of You Grow Girl.  But you still see some well-dressed matrons in the audience squirming uncomfortably in their seats when the topic of integrating ornamentals with vegetables comes up.

The converse is also true. A couple of days ago Robin Ripley’s Garden Rant blog wrote “Some of my fellow gardeners have committed—or are about to commit—vegetable garden planting, maintenance and design treason. I’m talking about ugly, unsightly vegetable gardens.”

Well the floodgates opened up…Ripley’s comments were ripped apart as elitist and snobby. Many gardeners and garden writers came out defending the right to have an ”Ugly Gardens.” A plea for beauty in the vegetable garden had become an attack on a way of life.

But beauty is accessible and appreciated by everyone, regardless of income. Who isn’t awed by a sunset? The majestic beauty of an oak? The dewdrops on a spider web? The delicate petals of a sweet pea? So, this debate isn’t about appreciation of beauty. At this moment, I’m not sure what it’s all about. One thing I’m sure about- it’s not about vegetable gardening.

The humble vegetable garden… a cultural indicator?