Within the last few years, both organic foods and farmers’ markets have exploded in popularity. This in turn has attracted many homeowners to the idea of kitchen gardens. While they were much more common years ago when growing your own food was the norm, today they really are making a comeback.
Why Get Started
So why would you want to incorporate a kitchen garden into your outdoor space? There are many reasons. Not only is the thought of growing your own food while learning and experiencing the process firsthand an exciting one, but it is perfect for parents of young children as well.
It can be invaluable and an incredibly fun lesson for kids about life, science, responsibility, and food in general. Just knowing exactly what was used to produce some of the food going into your body and where it was grown can also just be very comforting.
You don’t need to live off the land fully to experience the pride in knowing that one or more of the ingredients in a meal was created by you. But whatever your reason or reasons for considering one, there are a few things to know first.
Starting Out Right
When starting out, small is always the smartest way to go. And while it may be the only way to go for many people anyway due to space constraints, it really is much more convenient. Raised wooden planters around eighteen inches high are perfect. One of their biggest advantages is that you have complete control of the soil used.
You can build your own planters for very cheap or simply purchase one. Transforming them into a place to sit is as easy as installing two by six pieces of wood on top of the edges. Doing so can also be ideal for sitting while tending to your garden or just talking with friends and enjoying your yard.
Narrow-raised beds are better than wider ones as they allow you to work on them without having to physically get inside. You should try to keep it at most four feet in width.
If you don’t have the space for a bed, don’t worry you have other options. There are many vegetable and herb choices such as lettuce which can look great as a border in your existing garden. You can also mix others in amongst your plants. And don’t overlook pots either, you can use them to grow individual items and are actually the simplest way to get into kitchen gardening.
Things To Consider
Doing some research on what you would like to plant in your yard before getting started is always recommended. That way you can find out how much sun they will need and plan accordingly. You should also think about what is convenient for you.
Do you want to have your ingredients at easy reach close to your kitchen? Or would you prefer to have them further back? Many kitchen gardeners love the process of getting out in the yard and among their plants.
It’s totally up to you. Don’t forget to take any drainage problems or runoff areas into account either. Fixing them beforehand or avoiding them at the start will save a lot of time and wasted effort.
You don’t have to live in the country to enjoy the benefits of growing your own food. With even only a small space and a few pots, you can experience the pride and delicious taste of ingredients grown in your very own kitchen garden! Just be sure to follow the tips mentioned above so you can start out right.
Start Shopping for Kitchen Gardens!
Easy Lawn Care? Experts Say It’s Possible With These Tips!
There's no way around it: If you want a lush lawn, you have to work for it. That entails putting in a lot of time, effort, and yes, money. And even if you are hiring experts in lawn care, you will still need to shoulder some of the responsibilities involved. That does...
Water-Wise Landscaping: Avoid Cultivating These Types Of Plants
Water is one of the primary needs of all plants. They need to receive the right amount of hydration to grow and thrive properly. You can ensure your plants get the hydration they need by watering them regularly using a garden hose or watering can, or by having a...
Window Manufacturers List Pros and Cons of Triple Glazing
Over the past few years, building standards around the world, but especially in the UK, have undergone massive changes. Among the most notable of these are the Zero Carbon Homes initiative and the Code for Sustainable Homes. In response to these changes, the...
Starting A Vegetable Garden: Motivational Tips For Beginners
Back in the day, our ancestors did not have to go very far to buy vegetables, they just had to step out in their garden and pick up free, fresh veggies. Unfortunately, over generations, most of us have lost touch with our natural gardening instincts due to the busy...
Your Guide To Top Dressing Your Lawn
A beautiful garden helps to improve the overall look and feel of any home, and the lawn is just as important. There’s no point in having beautiful blooming flowers if the grass is unkempt, overgrown, or dead. Sometimes, you might find that your lawn needs work, but...
How To Not Ruin Your Lawn
One of the first things that friends and relatives notice when they visit your home is your front lawn. It stands to reason then, that it should be one of your highest priorities when it comes to maintaining your yard. The problem is that many people are doing more...
How to Grow Spinach in Your Vegetable Garden
Spinach is an amazing leafy vegetable that is loaded with nutrients and many health benefits. While you can buy it from the supermarket, fresh, homegrown spinach, however, is the best option for a healthier lifestyle. Organic spinach is more nutrient-rich, tastes...
Situations That Require A Professional Tree Service
Trees look beautiful and majestic through the changing seasons, but at times, they are unable to achieve their optimum potential because of both internal and external factors that compromise their growth. Fortunately, a professional tree service can offer effective...
A Project You Can Easily Accomplish with DIY Concrete Supplies
Creating outdoor furniture can be really fun. A lot of people discover that it can be much less stressful to take on compared to other DIY projects because it doesn’t always need to be perfect. Also, you can actually work with old furniture you have and give it a new...
Turf-less Landscaping – Pros Introduce Xeriscaping
Traditional landscaping requires the use of a massive amount of resources, especially water. In fact, studies indicate that lawn care accounts for roughly a third of the water consumption of an ordinary American household. That is a significant number that needs to be...
Get Your Garden Ready For Spring
With the winter months slowly coming towards an end and spring on the horizon it is time to start considering whether or not your garden could benefit from a facelift. Many are keen to get back into the garden once the colder weather has started to make a move. The...
Should You Get Tilt and Turn Windows or Sash Windows?
It may not initially seem like a subject that would require much thought and deliberation, but homeowners are learning that choosing windows for their property must actually be done with careful consideration. The right kind of windows can significantly affect the...
8 Reasons to Make the Switch to Artificial Grass in Your Yard
A lush lawn increases your home’s curb appeal as well as its value. Yet, keeping up with lawn care and maintenance quickly adds up to a major expense involving both money and time. Fortunately, there is an alternative to all of that mowing, fertilizing, and weeding....
How To Highlight Your Backyard Garden
Possibly the only thing better than having a beautiful garden is being able to proudly show it off to friends and family while at the same time making your nosy neighbors super jealous of your agricultural prowess. You’ve got your herb garden, your delicately...
Keeping Your Property Free Of Dog Waste
While we all love our pets, sometimes what they leave behind can be a real mess. Dog poop not only stinks but can quickly turn your gorgeous garden or lawn into a minefield of epic proportions. In order to make sure you have an outdoor space that both you and your...
Why Hire Gardeners? Pros Cite 4 Reasons
A well-manicured and well-maintained garden entails the performance of several key tasks, from trimming and hedging to the application of fertilizers to mulching and clean-up. And although gardening is one of the most fulfilling activities around, it is, simply put,...
Bring Out the Blooms: Landscaping Experts Share Some Tips For Southwestern Gardens
Homeowners often focus on helping their lawns thrive, but it's important to understand that there's more to a beautiful front yard or backyard than just lush green grass. In order to truly bring out the beauty of your property, there has to be a special touch — and...
How to Protect Your Deck for Cold Weather: Winter Patio Tips
The nights are longer, temperatures lower and winter will be here before we know it. But, there’s still plenty of time this season to get out there to protect that patio from winter’s wrath. And although we typically only think about our decks in warmer months when we...
Practical Lawn Care – Gardeners Share Kitchen Remedies for Garden Woes
If you’re thinking of reducing the amount of money you normally spend for lawn maintenance, using kitchen ingredients instead of commercial products can definitely help. This brand of practical lawn care, gardeners say, has been used since time immemorial and they...
Getting Expert Assistance for Beginners in Lawn Care
You and your family may have opted to purchase a home that comes with a small lawn, and no one can blame your choice. After all, a house becomes a lot prettier and more inviting when there's a patch of green and some colorful blooms — and it's certainly a plus that a...