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!
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