Spring is just beginning, and it’s time to start planning your kitchen garden!
Choose a garden type
The first step in planning a kitchen garden is choosing what type of garden you’ll plant. There are three things you should consider:
What type of space can you devote to your garden? Do you have a half acre field available, or just a windowsill? Choose your garden space carefully so that you can get the most benefit from the space you have. After you’ve picked out a spot, watch it for a day. How much sun does it get? What direction does the garden area face? Are there trees or buildings that block the sun? Ideally, you should look for a sunny area that faces East or South, to maximize the amount of sunlight the garden will receive.
Choose your plants
What foods do you enjoy cooking and eating? Do you put garlic or basil in just about everything? Consider planting a few different varieties of your favorite herbs. One of the great benefits of growing your own herbs and vegetables is the opportunity to experiment with varieties that aren’t available in the local supermarket.
Think about your ideal salad, and consider growing a mesculun mix, as well as carrots, tomatoes and peas.
Do you love the scent of lavender and the bright colors of peonies? Make room in your garden plan for a few flowers – they won’t take up much space and they’ll make your garden a more inviting, pleasant place to spend your time. If your garden is a space that you enjoy, you’ll be much more likely to get outside and pull a weed or two after a long day.
Choose your method
The next choice you’ll make is whether to buy plants that are already sprouted or start your garden from seed. Seeds are by far the most economical method, but they lack the instant gratification of sprouted plants. Starting your garden from seeds also gives you the opportunity to try several varieties of your favorite herbs or vegetables – you’re not limited to what the local garden store chooses to carry. For more information on how to start a garden from seed, read Starting From Seed.
Plan your layout
By now you’ve researched the plants you want to grow, and have narrowed your list down to ones that flourish in your part of the country. In your research, you should also have noticed that most seeds and plants come with a few guidelines – “needs partial shade” or “plant 4-6 inches apart.” With this information in hand, it’s time to get out some graph paper and sketch out your garden plan. By planting your garden on paper first, you can avoid costly mistakes. It’s all too easy to get carried away in the garden store and come home with twice as many plants as you have space for.
First, determine that one square on the graph will equal 6 inches or 1 foot of actual space (depending on how large your garden will be), then outline your garden space to scale. Lightly sketch which areas get full or partial shade. Then, keeping in mind the space and sun requirements of the plants on your list, mark down where you will place each one. Move the plants around until you are satisfied with the layout. If your garden is large, remember to block out paths that will give you access to each planting area.
