Due to space constraints, cultivating a lush garden along with growing vegetables and fruits may seem like a farfetched idea to many today. But if planned in appropriate ways, having an organic kitchen garden is possible. Moreover, you must be paying high prices for organic products, so why not grow your own in your back garden? The whole process is not only inexpensive but it also needs low maintenance, as all you need to have are a small plot of land and patience and creativity.
You don’t need to feel unfortunate if you don’t have a huge garden in your home. Many people have been using their terraces but you can also allocate some space in your backyard to grow vegetables, flowers and fruits. If not, you can even use the windowsills. If you choose to grow in containers, decks or balconies may also provide plenty of space. Growing vegetables can be a fun way to spend time with your family members outdoors in the sun. More than that, there’s a different joy you get when you consume healthy, pesticide-free natural foods grown from your labor.
Starting a kitchen garden
The best location for a new garden is a plot receiving full sunlight, at least six hours of direct sun per day. So make sure to choose a sunny spot. Soil conditions don’t have to be perfect. But make sure that the soil drains well so that there are no puddles in your kitchen garden.
Recycle and reuse
To start kitchen gardening, you don’t need to invest in expensive earthen pots. You can make use of the space that you have or even make use of old plastic bottles and buckets to grow vegetables.
Choosing garden crops
Plan your kitchen garden with your needs in mind, calculating what vegetables you will use the most. You can experiment with one or two new crops per season so that there’s diversity in your kitchen garden. You can grow corns and seasonal vegetables like cauliflowers, brinjal, tomato, spring onion, radish and capsicum, salad greens like cucumber and lettuce leaves and essential herbs like coriander, mint, curry leaf and green chilly.
Make your own soil
The most important step in kitchen gardening is to make nutrient-rich soil that supports healthy plant growth. It’s simple to prepare and the results are extremely effective. Start with what you have. You can simply use the kitchen waste and mix it in the soil so that it can turn into manure.
When and how much to water your garden
Fruits and vegetables are made mostly of water, so you’ll need to make sure your plants are getting enough to drink. This is especially important for seedlings that haven’t developed a deep root structure. You’ll have to water them lightly everyday or the next. If there isn’t sufficient rainfall, they need more water once the crops are maturing.
Add compost
Using compost with the soil is the most important thing you can do for your garden. Composted manures or leaves add organic materials to the garden, which break down and improve the texture and nutrient content of your soil.
Insects and diseases
Regular checks on the plants are a must. Companion gardening is the best bet to keep insects away. For example, planting garlic between tomatoes will keep pests away.
Harvest frequently and spend time in your garden
It’s good to experiment and add variety to your garden. Moreover, picking fruits and herbs often stimulates new growth and is healthier for the plants.
