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Nowadays, we often see news of food shortages in several countries around the world. Conflicts, economic crashes, extreme climate conditions, virus outbreaks, and insanely high fertiliser prices are the prime factors in food shortages. In a time like this, we all should learn and be able to grow our own crops and veggies at home.
Home-grown kitchen garden not only provides us with delicious veggies and fruits all year long but also a pleasing homely experience. When we want to relax, we can spend some pleasing time on a bench in our garden reading a book or just calmly listening to the sounds of nature. It is not necessary for you to have a big backyard space to grow a garden; you can do this on your balcony or inside the kitchen as well.
We feel everyone should have their own homegrown supplies of beautiful veggies, and everyone should enjoy the untouched, chemical and toxin free herbs, fruits, and spices. Today we will share seven tips on how you can start growing your kitchen garden and what vegetables and herbs you should choose to grow as a beginner.
1) Choosing the right place
Growing a kitchen garden always starts with selecting the right place for the plants, where they get enough sunlight and are convenient for you. Most plants require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Therefore, if you have a backyard or a balcony, you should choose that to grow your garden, and if you only have a kitchen window, you should keep plants in such a way that they get enough sunlight and air.
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2) Preparing the soil
After selecting the space, determining the soil that you can have access to is the second most crucial step. Test the soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels. Amend the soil as necessary by adding organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or other soil conditioners to improve its structure and fertility. Soil should not be tightly packed to ensure good drainage and prevent waterlogging. Therefore, adding gravel to the soil might help.
3) Picking the right plants
Plants require favourable climatic conditions to grow effectively. After choosing the right place to grow and observing the environment, select the desired plants you want to grow. You can start off with easy herbs and spices such as basil, mint, chilli, thyme, and rosemary. If you have a bigger space, consider choosing tomatoes, lettuce, garlic, and parsley.
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4) Start from seeds or seedlings
You can either start your plants from seeds indoors and then transplant them outside, or you can purchase seedlings from a nursery. Follow the instructions on the seed packets for the best results.
5) Have the right tools and supplies
After selecting the weather condition, soil type, and plant that you want to grow, start gathering the right supplies to sow your seeds. Select the type of pots and plant shaping tools to decorate your space and shape the plants as they grow. You can be creative with this!
6) Planting
Choose the right pot for the right plant. Follow the spacing and planting depth recommendations for the specific plants you have chosen. It is necessary to water the plants immediately after planting to help them settle into their new environment.
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7) Nurture them with proper care
Water your plants regularly, and remember not to overwater or underwater any plant. In dry weather, you can prevent plants from drying by covering the roots or the soil with mulch, which is a protective covering made of dead leaves or paper. Mulch also helps in suppressing weeds that grow unnecessarily around other plants. Fertilise the plants as needed and keep checking on them to protect them from pests or rotting. Remove rotted parts immediately, as they can rot other parts as well.
8) Harvest and enjoy!
After they bear fruit, you can harvest them and use them however you like!
