Basics of a Kitchen Vegetable Garden

The only thing that distinguishes a kitchen vegetableare so versatile (tomato juice, sauces, salsas, or
garden from any other sort is that the garden plantssimply eaten fresh), the plants alone can significantly
are specifically selected to be eaten. Given that, theaugment your diet while being kind to your pocket
primary consideration in choosing your plants is whatbook. The volume you produce will also make it easy
you will use, either for your own consumption or asto share with family and friends or to trade your
trade items at a local farmer's market. (Of coursetomatoes at a farmer's market for other kinds of
the climate in your area and the length of thevegetables. (Pepper plants are equally hardy and
growing season are also major factors.)prolific.)
Your primary goals are to save money, to provideOther 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 quitetomatoes.
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 younatural insect repellant. Good herb choices include:
have with containers. Figure out how much roomanise, 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 doIf 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 wellexcellent for cooking meats, and can even be dried
planted in rows.into potpurri.
If you or someone you know is handy with tools andHow to Tend Your Garden
if you have access to a little lumber and someFrankly, the biggest investment you will most likely
screening material to use in the base of the boxesspend on your garden won't be monetary, but will
for drainage, you can use terraced, graduated bedsrather be a commitment in time planting, weeding,
and plant stands to squeeze in as much growingand watering. When you purchase your plants,
room as possible. Pick a place with plenty of sun thatdiscuss their needs with the nursery staff. It's always
is well drained. Herbs, for instance, take six to eighta 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 likelythat segments can be watered separately, with
enriched with a good quality bedding soil availablesome areas receiving more and others less. Learn
from your local plant nursery. Make sure that the soilwhat insects are likely to damage your plants, how
your purchase is appropriate for the plants you'veto watch for them, and what to do when they show
selected. Talk with the staff at the nursery and theyup. (You don't want to just use any insecticide on
will help you select the right materials as well as anyyour garden. Remember, you're going to be eating
fertilizers that might be necessary based on your soilthese plants!)
type. (It's not a bad idea to take in a small sample ofIn 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 Gardengrowing seasons as you get more comfortable
If you want to start small and get a lot of bang forselecting and caring for your plants. You'll have some
your buck, begin with tomatoes. A single plant canfailures; everyone does, it's just part of the process.
produce more than 100 lbs. of tomatoes over aBut you'll also augment your diet with healthy, fresh
growing season, an estimate that is actually on thefood, cut down on your grocery bill, and create a fun
low side. Since tomatoes in the store averageactivity for your family or for yourself (and get some
1-2£ ($2-4 USD) per pound and because theyexercise in the process.