Vegetables We’re Growing in the Kitsap Food Forest

Gardening brings people together, builds a connection with nature, and provides delicious food. At the Kitsap Food Forest one of our favorite activities is growing seasonal vegetables in the heart of Kitsap.

Using raised beds, in-ground plots, and spaces between fruit trees and bushes, we’ve created a lush environment where vegetables grow alongside perennials. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, a local food supporter, or part of the Kitsap community, we’re excited to share what we grow and how we do it.

Read on to learn more about the vegetables we grow and how they support our commitment to sustainable food forest design.

Tried-and-True Crops

Over the years, we’ve identified reliable cold- and warm-season vegetables that thrive in our Kitsap climate. These crops have become staples of our food forest, contributing to both the ecological health of the space and the nutritional value of our harvests.

Cold-Season Vegetables

Our cold-season crops are planted in cooler months when temperatures support hearty greens and root vegetables. Some of our key players include:

• Garlic

A reliable kitchen staple, garlic loves our raised beds. Planted in the fall, it overwinters beautifully and rewards us with flavorful bulbs by summer.

• Onions

From sweet varieties to cooking onions, this versatile crop thrives in raised beds and in-ground plots with nutrient-rich soil.

• Potatoes

An easy-to-grow and resilient root vegetable, potatoes are always a crowd favorite. They do especially well in our raised beds, which maintain excellent drainage.

• Spinach

Spinach bursts with vitality in our food forest. We sow it in early spring or late summer for its fast-growing and nutrient-dense leaves.

• Peas

Perfect for cooler temperatures, peas climb gracefully along trellises in our raised beds and within the fruit trees and shrubs offering sweet and tender harvests.

• Beets

Beautifully vibrant and sweet, beets provide a colorful addition to our cold weather repertoire, nurturing the soil while gracing our plates.

Warm-Season Vegetables

Once the Kitsap sun warms the soil, we turn to warm-season vegetables that bask in the heat. Some of our favorites are:

• Summer Squash

Summer squash—including zucchini—grows prolifically in various corners of our food forest. Its versatility is unparalleled, making it a summer staple in countless meals.

• Winter Squash

From acorn to butternut varieties, winter squash is a robust crop that stores exceptionally well into the colder months.

• Tomatoes

A classic summer crop, tomatoes are grown in raised beds and sunny openings between fruit trees where they soak up the light.

• Peppers

Bell peppers, jalapeños, and more—this year, we’re planting 60 pepper plants directly in the ground in our food forest’s warmest spot, within a new dwarf conifer garden I designed last year. The conifers are small, so they won’t shade the peppers, giving them the perfect conditions to thrive and add a flavorful zing to many dishes.

Miscellaneous Crops

Beyond our staple vegetables, we love experimenting with a range of other crops to keep our food forest diverse. These “sometimes crops” bring an extra level of excitement to the garden.

• Corn

Though space-intensive, corn makes a regular appearance when there’s room to spare. Its stalks also provide structural support for crops like pole beans.

• Leeks

A cousin to onions, leeks add depth to fall soups. They thrive in our nutrient-rich soil.

• Asian Greens

Crops like tatsoi and chijimisai bring unique flavors and cultural diversity to our food forest.

• Radishes

Great for a quick harvest, radishes thrive in open spaces and make a striking addition to salads.

• Soybeans

These nutrient-packed beans are sometimes added when we want to experiment with protein-rich alternatives.

• Lettuce

A quick and reliable grower, lettuce is a favorite for when we crave a fresh, homegrown salad.

Building a Food Forest with Intention

The diversity of the Kitsap Food Forest goes beyond vegetables. Our crops don’t just nourish people—they nourish the soil and encourage ecological diversity. By integrating vegetable plants with our fruit trees and bushes, we create a stable ecosystem where each plant plays a role.

Would you like to create something similar at home? Whether you’re starting a community project or redesigning your backyard, our team at the Kitsap Food Forest is here to help.

We offer advice on food forest design, including plant placement, creating raised beds, optimizing companion planting, and more.