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| Grow a Kitchen Garden |
Grow veggies, herbs, fruit and flowers in the same space
- What is a Kitchen Garden
- Why grow a Kitchen Garden
- Where do I Start
- How do I prepare the site
- What about the soil
- When can I plant
- Helpful items to pick up at TSC
What is a Kitchen Garden?
A plot or raised beds near the house where vegetables, herbs, flowers and sometimes small fruits are grown.
Back to topWhy grow a Kitchen Garden?
It is a simple way to grow what you like in a convenient place where you can run out the back (or front) door to grab veggies, fruit and some herbs for a flavorful and healthy meal. Flowers are an added bonus to invite beneficial insects, make the garden lovely, to enjoy in your salad and in a bouquet for the supper table.
Back to topWhere do I Start?
- If this is your first garden, start small. Be successful, not overwhelmed. Gardening is work, commitment and lots of trial and error learning. As you learn and grow as a gardener, make your garden bigger. Remember it is suppose to fun!
- Take the time to plan. Make a list of the vegetables you actually like to eat. Include some that you can’t get at the store; this will motivate you when it’s hot and you’re tired. Prioritize this list so you won’t run out of room before you get started. Sketch something on paper with the dimensions of your garden site and keep it simple - try a row garden or one with geometric shapes for fun. Raised beds and wide rows are more productive.
- If you already grow vegetables, think about adding herbs, flowers and small fruit. This is not only convenient for you but it helps your plants to have beneficial neighbors to deter pests and diseases (pick up a companion planting brochure).
- Chose a site where the sun shines 6 or more hours per day. Usually a south or east exposure with good air circulation. Give your kitchen garden a high profile area close to the kitchen (or house) where you see it and walk by it daily. This way you won’t forget to water, weed, and harvest on time. You are also more likely to notice a pest problem in the early stages and take action before it becomes an infestation.
- A hose bib, rain barrel or other water source nearby is essential since a productive garden needs about an inch of rain or supplemented water per week.
- Get a soil test; your local Ag Extension can help with this.
How do I prepare the site?
- If you have noxious weeds or grass you may want to treat the area with Round-up first. Round-up works best when it is warm - 60 to 85 degrees and the plants are actively growing. If you decide to spray your site, choose a wind-free day and wear protection. Wait 10 days to start work.
- To kill weeds organically, solarize the area by thoroughly watering then covering with clear plastic (1-4mil) for 4 – 6 weeks during the hottest months of the year.
What about the soil?
- Once the weeds are out of the way its time to work the soil. First check the soil and make sure it is not too wet. Pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it - if it crumbles you are in good shape, if it feels slimy and sticks together, wait a day or two and check again.
- Roto-till the area. Add 3 inches or so of organic material (compost, leaf mold, etc) and any other amendments according to the soil test. Work it in with a shovel or tiller.
- To make raised beds without a frame; use a rake and mound up soil in beds that are about 3 feet wide. Leave paths just wide enough to get a wheel barrow through.
- Raised beds framed in wood, cement blocks or stacked stone that are 6” deep or more work well. Place cardboard or layers of newspaper in the bottom (to suppress any weeds that may try to make a return appearance), then fill with a mix of top soil, compost, leaf mold, peat moss and vermiculite.
When can I plant?
- As soon as the daytime temperatures in your area average 60*F and stays 40*F at night, it is time to plant cool season vegetables and herbs.
- Cool season vegetables and herbs are hardy and can deal with a light frost. They can be planted about 2 – 4 weeks before the last frost in the spring, and again in late summer for a fall harvest. In warmer areas of the south, winter may be the time to plant.
- In the colder north, successive plantings of cool season crops can be planted throughout the growing season.
- Warm season vegetables and herbs need to be planted when the danger of frost has passed and the soil is warm. Daytime temperatures need to be 70* F. and above.
- Read the back of the seed packets for details and pick up information on what/ when to plant in your zone from your local Ag Extension.
- Pick up a brochure on Cool and Warm season gardening.
Helpful items to pick up at TSC:
ShovelRake
Soaker hose
Roto-tiller
Fertilizer
Gloves
Pelletized lime
Round-up
Sprayers
Plastic sheeting
Bags of compost
Wheelbarrow
Sprinkler
Hose
Peat
Watering wand
Vegetable, herb and flower seeds.
Back to top
Cindy Shapton
Gardening Expert for TSC
“Make Gardening Fun or It will Become Work”
