An edible garden: the kitchen garden

Slow food

Slow food is the complete opposite to quick and easy snacks that are mostly cooked in the deep fat fryer. There is even a Slow Food movement that promotes using the freshest of ingredients and a very traditional (slow) method of cooking. The result being more vitamins, healthy fats and much more flavoursome food.
Is this now the reason why so many of us are getting into the trend of growing our own small range of kitchen herbs? Perhaps. I always find it really fascinating to see how such a small seed can grow into something edible, but the best part is actually eating your own home-grown produce. No more afternoon trips to the supermarkt, just freshly picked herbs and vegetables from your very own garden.
Would you also like to enjoy some home-grown, eco-friendly vegetables? In this blog, I’ll give you a few tips to help you get started on your very own kitchen garden.

1. The right spot
2. Make a plan
3. The right tools
4. Good or bad weather
5. Pest control

1. The right spot

We start with the soil. It may seem a bit simple, but do you know what kind of soil is in your garden? Is it lime, clay or sandy? Soil nourishes your plants and every soil type has different properties and nutrients. Clay holds moisture well, but lime and sand are somewhat easier to work with. By adding compost to your soil, your plants will be better nourished. You can easily make your own compost, ask at your local recycling centre if they have any or you could always just buy it from a specialist dealer. For the latter two soil types, you will need to decide how important the quality of the compost is to you.
Did you know it’s even possible to have a kitchen garden on a balcony, by creating a vertical garden? In my blog: Make your own planters, I explain how you can use a pallet to make a vertical garden, in which, you can easily plant things like lettuces, herbs and strawberries. The sun’s rays give your fruit and vegetable plants the warmth they need, so be sure to place them in a sunny spot.

2. Make a plan

In my blog: How to create your own unique garden?’ you can read how you can create a garden planner. You could make one for your kitchen garden, too. Start by selecting a range of plants that you can use in a number of dishes. Twenty heads of lettuce will be ready for harvesting at the same time, and even the greatest salad-lover would have enough of that after a few days, so be sure to keep the plant types, requirements, sowing and growth periods in mind when creating your planner.
Also, remember to test the acidity level of your soil before planting. You can act like a true lab technician by getting a ready made, soil ph test kit from any good garden supplies store. Potatoes, strawberries and rhubarb, for example, prefer acid soil, whilst carrots and onions grow better in neutral grond. By adding some acidifying material, you can change the acidity level of your soil. Oh yes, and remember to keep any planned holidays in mind when creating your planner. Otherwise, it would be a shame for you to come home and find a withered kitchen garden.

3. The right tools

If you’re only using planters, then it would suffice to start off with a small watering can, a small piece of netting, and some wire. However, if your kitchen garden is bigger, then make it easier for yourself by getting the right tools. A spade, a rake, a yard brush and a hoe will serve you well. Sometimes, you might also need some sticks or supports to tie your plants to. Always be sure to remove any soil from your tools and store them in a dry place, like a garden storage unit, for example, as that way, they’ll last you for years.

4. Good or bad weather

During those hot, dry spells, your garden will need extra watering and sometimes, some extra shade. And if you think that you’ll get some time off when it rains, then I’m afraid to disappoint you, but you’ve really got it wrong. Check your nets to see if they have become waterlogged from all the rain, and if your plants are still protected enough from hungry birds. Young plants are very fragile, so keep them in a greenhouse until they are strong enough to survive outdoors, or protect them with some special clear plastic sheets. After a summer shower, your garden looks greener than ever. Sadly though, probably half of it is due to the weeds, which grow a lot quicker than fruit or vegetable plants. Remove any weeds you can find, as they only cause damage to your plants. I sometimes see that weeds have been pulled out, only to be left for dead on the ground afterwards. But appearances can be decieving! With just a little bit of rain, they’ll grow back again.

5. Pest control

Larvae, ants and slugs can be found in every garden. They keep eating and eating until there’s nothing left of your kitchen garden. But that’s not what you’ve done all that hard work for, right? With just a few simple measures, you can prevent a lot of the potential destruction. Cut a large plastic bottle into rings and put them around your plants. The majority of slugs haven’t got the inclination to climb over them. They also avoid ground eggshells and used coffee grounds.
Larvae can be held at bay with a simple layer of cornflour. Sprinkle it over the plant, not forgetting the underneath of the leaves, as it makes moving over the plant too difficult for them. Or you could always spray the plant with a mixture of mild soap and water, but be careful not to burn the plant. Ants cultivate their own larvae, as they love the sweet substance they secrete. Keep the ants away by sprinkling some peppermint or pour some boiling water over the nest. You could also rub some Vaseline on the plant stems, to prevent them reaching the leaves. ¬And of these are just a few of the eco-friendly ways to keep pests away from your plants.
Having a kitchen garden, isn’t only healthy for the vitamins that grow in it. Gardening is also very relaxing for those who remember that successful gardening begins by accepting that not everything needs to be done by the book.
Have you got any tips for a healthy kitchen garden? Share them with us on our Facebook page.

 – Lorna –