| The only thing that distinguishes a kitchen vegetable | | | | are so versatile (tomato juice, sauces, salsas, or |
| garden from any other sort is that the garden plants | | | | simply eaten fresh), the plants alone can significantly |
| are specifically selected to be eaten. Given that, the | | | | augment your diet while being kind to your pocket |
| primary consideration in choosing your plants is what | | | | book. The volume you produce will also make it easy |
| you will use, either for your own consumption or as | | | | to share with family and friends or to trade your |
| trade items at a local farmer's market. (Of course | | | | tomatoes at a farmer's market for other kinds of |
| the climate in your area and the length of the | | | | vegetables. (Pepper plants are equally hardy and |
| growing season are also major factors.) | | | | prolific.) |
| Your primary goals are to save money, to provide | | | | Other garden staples to consider include: |
| yourself with a healthy source of fresh food, and to | | | | • Lettuce, which naturally compliments the |
| have some fun in the process. There's nothing quite | | | | tomatoes. |
| as satisfying as seeing something you've grown with | | | | • Carrots. |
| your own hands on your dinner table. But how to | | | | • Okra and eggplant, which are well suited |
| start? | | | | for small "left over" spaces. |
| Where to Plant Your Garden | | | | • Herbs, which are excellent for spicing |
| Obviously you can only use the land available to you, | | | | dishes, a fragrant addition to your yard, and often a |
| if there is any, or you can augment what space you | | | | natural insect repellant. Good herb choices include: |
| have with containers. Figure out how much room | | | | anise, coriander, dill, fennel, and perennials like thyme, |
| your plug plants will need and plan accordingly. | | | | oregano, chives, tarragon, sage, and rosemary. |
| Tomatoes and peppers grow to a large size and do | | | | If you don't plant any other herbs, go with the |
| quite well in containers with cages for stabilization. | | | | rosemary. It's incredibly hardy, smells wonderful, is |
| Carrots and lettuce, on the other hand, do well | | | | excellent for cooking meats, and can even be dried |
| planted in rows. | | | | into potpurri. |
| If you or someone you know is handy with tools and | | | | How to Tend Your Garden |
| if you have access to a little lumber and some | | | | Frankly, the biggest investment you will most likely |
| screening material to use in the base of the boxes | | | | spend on your garden won't be monetary, but will |
| for drainage, you can use terraced, graduated beds | | | | rather be a commitment in time planting, weeding, |
| and plant stands to squeeze in as much growing | | | | and watering. When you purchase your plants, |
| room as possible. Pick a place with plenty of sun that | | | | discuss their needs with the nursery staff. It's always |
| is well drained. Herbs, for instance, take six to eight | | | | a good idea to select things with similar watering |
| hours of sun per day. | | | | requirement or to arrange your garden in such a way |
| Your soil will need to be well turned and most likely | | | | that segments can be watered separately, with |
| enriched with a good quality bedding soil available | | | | some areas receiving more and others less. Learn |
| from your local plant nursery. Make sure that the soil | | | | what insects are likely to damage your plants, how |
| your purchase is appropriate for the plants you've | | | | to watch for them, and what to do when they show |
| selected. Talk with the staff at the nursery and they | | | | up. (You don't want to just use any insecticide on |
| will help you select the right materials as well as any | | | | your garden. Remember, you're going to be eating |
| fertilizers that might be necessary based on your soil | | | | these plants!) |
| type. (It's not a bad idea to take in a small sample of | | | | In most cases it's a good idea to start small and to |
| soil for their examination.) | | | | add to and expand your garden in subsequent |
| What to Plant in Your Garden | | | | growing seasons as you get more comfortable |
| If you want to start small and get a lot of bang for | | | | selecting and caring for your plants. You'll have some |
| your buck, begin with tomatoes. A single plant can | | | | failures; everyone does, it's just part of the process. |
| produce more than 100 lbs. of tomatoes over a | | | | But you'll also augment your diet with healthy, fresh |
| growing season, an estimate that is actually on the | | | | food, cut down on your grocery bill, and create a fun |
| low side. Since tomatoes in the store average | | | | activity for your family or for yourself (and get some |
| 1-2£ ($2-4 USD) per pound and because they | | | | exercise in the process. |