There are several important aspects to accessibility when adding any new any food-growing areas to your landscape. Designing with maintenance and overall functionality in mind is one of the main keys to long-term success:

1. Water

Most food crops require regular water throughout the growing season in order to bear a healthy and productive harvest. Whether you plan to water by hand or with an irrigation system, it is wise to carefully consider how you will get water to the garden before installing any new beds or plants. If watering the garden is a hassle, it is more likely to be neglected and food crops likely to be less successful.

a. Hand watering with a hose and nozzle requires having a clear route to drag the hose from the nearest exterior spigot to the garden without damaging other plants. It also requires a convenient place to store the hose when not in use, so it does not become a tripping hazard.
b. Drip or soaker hose irrigation is much easier when a permanent or seasonal water line is installed from the house to the garden, usually buried below shovel depth in a trench.

c. If you are adding edible plants to existing ornamental landscape beds, make sure that the edibles chosen match the water needs of surrounding plants. IE: Blueberry shrubs work well for this because they have great ornamental value, but need regular summer water in order to bear sweet and juicy fruit. If planted alongside low-water-use shrubs such as Lavender, Rockrose, or Rosemary, those plants will suffer from the watering that is needed by the Blueberries.

2. Bed and Path Size

Planting, monitoring, tending, and harvesting food crops is much easier to do when the soil in all garden bed areas is easy to reach.

a. The comfortable reach for an average adult is about 2ft, which is why most sources suggest 4ft as the maximum width for any bed that can be accessed from two sides. Beds that have a path on only one side, such as along a fence line, should be only 2ft wide. If you are creating beds that children will be gardening in, keep in mind that their 'wingspan' is only about 1ft and they can easily topple into plants when reaching into wide beds.
b. Bed length can vary greatly according to your site, but keep in mind that the longer the bed, the more steps it takes to get to the other side of it. For beds longer than 10ft, you may want to create a small footpath through the center with steppingstones or bricks.
c. Path width can also vary according to its use. IE: in the photo above, notice that the main entry and left side paths are 3 ft wide, to allow a wheelbarrow full of compost or wood chips to maneuver easily and be off-loaded into all surrounding beds. The right side path is half that size, as it is primarily used for work done on foot. Making all paths 3ft wide will use up a lot of valuable food-growing space!

3. Zonation

This is a permaculture principal, and a major determining factor in the placement of garden elements. Highest-maintenance crops and other features should be placed in areas that are in daily view of the gardener, and lower-maintenance elements can be placed further away.

For Example- Annual vegetable crops such as Cherry Tomatoes (which will drop their fruit on the ground if not picked frequently), Peas and Beans (which will stop bearing if not picked frequently) should be grown where the gardener sees them when arriving home or while preparing meals. Fruit trees and compost bins need attention much less often, so can be placed at the perimeter of the garden. Other crops and features can be somewhere in between. However, it's important to ensure that all food crops are in locations that can be seen during typical garden strolls, as they will be easy to overlook if they are hidden from view.

4. Raised Beds and Containers

Raised beds can make it easier for all ages to garden. Wooden or concrete block beds that are 12- 18 inches tall can provide a place for adult or child gardeners to sit while reaching into beds, and taller beds allow easier reach for wheelchair or standing gardeners. Large containers are also great for increasing accessibility. No matter who is gardening, remember to provide someplace to sit and rest while enjoying the view of the fruits of your labor!