Guide on Commencing a Kitchen Garden
Craving some fresh, homegrown treats but worried about space and time constraints? Fear not, my garden-curious friend, for the kitchen garden is your savior!
Gardening may seem like a daunting task, confined to those sprawling acres we often imagine. But fear not, dear reader! A kitchen garden isn't about acres; it's about creativity with the space you've got.
Perhaps you dread the idea of dedicating endless hours to your green oasis. Well, kitchen gardening is here to change that.
Ever wondered how to take the first steps toward this delightful hobby? Nicole Burke, author of Kitchen Garden Revival, and I share some insights on our podcast. Give it a listen or keep scrolling for the tasty highlights.
What's a Kitchen Garden?
Don't be fooled—kitchen gardens aren't your traditional field gardens pictured when "gardening" comes to mind.
The vegetables (and fruits!) grown in a kitchen garden are handpicked for fresh eating, with an emphasis on juicy fruits, vibrant veggies, and lush herbs. These are generally harvested daily or almost daily.
Unlike long-term storage and preservation crops, which are usually relegated to the larger gardens, a kitchen garden focuses on smaller yet heavy-producing plants.
What Can You Grow?
Space is at a premium when gardening in the kitchen arrangement, so it's crucial we pick plants that give us the most bang for our buck. For a kitchen garden, aim for smaller plants that yield heavily:
Scrumptious Herbs
Both annual and perennial herbs are great choices for the kitchen garden, especially for beginners:
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Sage
- Oregano
- Rosemary
...beginners, that is, unless you want an overgrowth of mint, which might overpower your whole raised bed if placed there. You may want to keep it in a separate container.
Yumworthy Vegetables
Avoid planting vegetables that take up a lot of space for little yield:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels Sprouts
- Corn
- Zucchini
These aren't completely off-limits, but they aren't the best choice to optimize the small space in your kitchen garden. Most of these only produce one harvest per plant and have a lengthy growing season, taking up precious garden space for an extended period.
Let's Get Growing!
With visions of herbs and veggies fresh in your mind, it's time to dive into setting up your kitchen garden space:
Spruce Up with Raised Beds or Containers
Most kitchen gardens are smaller, nestled closer to the house, and set in either raised beds or containers. This setup makes tending to the garden enjoyable, and by using raised beds, you can select high-quality soil blends that produce more food in less space.
You can indeed grow a garden in the ground, especially if your soil is rich naturally, but ground beds generally require more maintenance and upkeep. Thus, raised beds are more popular for today's kitchen gardens.
Here's why raised beds are stellar options for kitchen gardens:
Quality Soil
Filling your raised bed with quality soil is a cheerful way to kick things off on a kitchen garden. If you've got room for a compost pile, that's excellent; however, don't fret if you don't! A basic topsoil and compost blend (like mentioned in this raised bed soil options guide) is a quick way to begin a thriving garden.
Drainage
Yipes, damp roots don't sit well with most plants we grow. Luckily, containers and raised beds help eliminate this issue.
Aesthetically Pleasing
In urban areas with homeowners associations (HOAs), an aesthetically pleasing garden is sometimes a requirement. Raised beds and containers tick all the boxes and make for the perfect kitchen garden setting.
Find Your South
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, find south (not west, not east, but south!). Once you've identified it, check for any obstructions between potential garden locations and south. These shadows could dampen your garden and, ideally, should be avoided.
Select the garden space with the most southern exposure for optimal sunlight during the growing season. During the spring and fall, keep in mind that the angle of the sun and its position in the sky differ significantly from summer.
Add Vertical Elements
For budding gardeners, adding vertical elements can significantly boost the harvest yield. Consider cattle panels, trellises, or tomato cages in your raised bed setup. This arrangement lets you plant more crops in a smaller area, maximizing the overall harvest.
Prune and Harvest Often
With plants crammed into a smaller space, pruning is essential to prevent competition and enhance growth. Trim back what you can, weekly or even daily, as necessary.
Plot out your highs and lows
To maximize harvest in a kitchen garden, grow crops according to their preferred seasons. Make a calendar of your average high and low temperatures for each month of the garden season. Growing crops in accordance with these climate considerations ensures a delectable harvest throughout the year.
Just Do It!
Starting a kitchen garden is a breeze, my friend! Begin with the herbs and fresh vegetables you devour, and you can always expand later. (Trust me, you'll want to!)
Just remember, kitchen gardening isn't laborious. It's the ideal way to embark on your garden adventure without the hassle and effort of maintaining a full-fledged field garden.
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- To get started with your kitchen garden, explore garden printables and a garden planner to help you plan the layout of raised beds or containers, and determine the optimal placement for the best sunlight.
- Rachel from the Home-and-Garden lifestyle blog, Homestead Honey, has shared an extensive guide on raised bed gardening, which includes top picks for raised bed soil blends that boost productivity in a compact space.
- Embrace the time-saving benefits of kitchen gardening through raised beds with regular pruning and harvesting, maximizing the yield of your lush herbs and vibrant vegetables while enjoying a more relaxed gardening lifestyle.
