I think that the absolute best way to become a better gardener—and get great gardening ideas—is to talk to other gardeners and to take a peek at their gardens. So this week, I’m kicking off a series of sneak peeks into exceptional kitchen gardens. I thought it would be fun to start with a look at the exquisite bamboo trellises the writer Jack Staub creates in his kitchen gardens at Hortulus Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Jack creates his artful trellises, arbors, and tuteurs by lashing bamboo poles and curved stakes together with plastic zip ties rather than twine, which tends to sag and loosen. Jack’s structures combine form and function by creating fantastic architectural interest and increasing garden real estate by raising plants up off the ground. These sturdy, practical works of art can last up to five years, and Jack says the secret to their longevity is pretty simple: zip ties and plenty of cross bracing. I don’t know about you, but I’m inspired to create a series of tuteurs for my peas, beans, and cucumbers next summer…

To see more photos of Jack’s garden, check out his monthly blog, the Hortulus Farm Diary and the Hortulus Farm website (where you can also book tours of the gardens).

p.s. I discovered Jack’s gem of a book 75 Exciting Vegetables for Your Garden (Gibbs Smith, 2005) at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. I think it deserves a place on every vegetable lover’s bookshelf, because it profiles 75 exceptional vegetable varieties (including my all-time, very favorite lettuce ‘Forellenschluss’). Each profile is accompanied by a beautiful illustration of the variety and interesting historical facts and other tidbits. Jack is also the author of 75 Remarkable Fruits for Your Garden (Gibbs Smith 2008), and his third book 75 Exceptional Herbs for Your Garden (Gibbs Smith) comes out this August. I can’t wait!