Join us to find out all about creating a little green paradise amidst city chaos using these 15 ideas for a kitchen garden.
You would like to have a little garden but not sure how to start? If that’s the case, then this text about garden design ideas will bring you a lot of joy!
As you know, gardening has been one of the main human activities for thousands of years. In modern times, however, it became reserved for people living in the countryside while city folks mainly get their food from supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and so on. Most of us living in cities have pretty hectic lives, so being able to just run to the store to get what we need has been considered an important advantage for a long time.
However, we are now living in the time of mass production of everything, including food. In these circumstances, many farmers are using different chemicals that may protect plants from insects and diseases but are harmful to our health and planet at the same time. For this reason, many people in cities around the world turn to alternative ways of getting greens and other vegetables, and one of the most popular is the kitchen garden.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Kitchen Garden
Of course, one of the greatest benefits of a kitchen garden is that you can grow vegetables and possibly some fruit that is way healthier than those you buy in the store. But this is far from being the only advantage.
- Cleans the air. The more plants you grow on your balcony or in the garden, the higher the chances you will have your little fresh air oasis amidst the dust surrounding you.
- Improves appearance. Herbs and other vegetables will improve the look of your home, but also your mood.
- Keeps you connected with nature.
- Reduces the use of pesticides.
Kitchen Garden Design Ideas
Reasons why people opt for kitchen garden DIY are plentiful. Some want to make their apartment and consequently, the city a bit greener. Others find pleasure in cooking, especially with the food they grow by themselves, while others want to improve their health by eating organic food. Furthermore, more people began expressing interest in growing kitchen garden plants when COVID – 19 restrictions were introduced. The fact that we couldn’t spend time outdoors and in touch with nature as much as we like or are used to lead to the development of various kitchen garden design options and the use of different household products.
If you are interested in creating a kitchen garden layout plan but unsure whether you have enough experience for something like this, we will help you out. In front of you is the list of garden design ideas and kitchen garden hacks for you to get started!
Make a Decision About the Space
Many people living in apartments believe that they don’t have space to keep kitchen garden tools and make a kitchen garden. We would like to tell you that this shouldn’t stop you if you truly have the desire to have a little garden. Keep in mind that when there is a will, there must be a way as well! Even if your living space is small and you don’t have a balcony, you can plant herbs that you like in special jars and keep them on shelves. There are also hanging flower planters that can serve the purpose.
Raised Bed Garden
People often don’t consider raised bed garden design as they think it can also be done if you have a yard. However, a medium-sized balcony can perfectly do the job as well. Raised bed means that you are planting in the soil that is higher than the ground. Therefore, you can make a little wooden box, put it on the balcony, and fill it with soil, and you are ready to plant kitchen garden vegetables and herbs of your preference.
Be Creative
Creativity is an important aspect of gardening. You don’t need acres of land to be a successful gardener; you just need to think outside of the box. Various plants and kitchen garden herbs don’t require a lot of space or effort to thrive. To give you some kitchen garden inspiration, we will mention mint, basil, and cherry tomatoes that are super easy to grow. However, there are plenty more plants.
Make Your Compost
There isn’t a better fertilizer than natural compost. Many people avoid making it because they think it’s too complicated and messy. This can be true if you are just a beginner, but once you master what to put in compost and how to make it, you will regret not starting sooner. If you are interested, many guidelines can help you make the perfect compost for your garden.
Think About Herbs You Want to Grow
When we are thinking about herbs, the first thing that comes to our mind is the aroma they give to meals that we prepare. But herbs also have a lot of health benefits – among others, they have amazing detox capacities. When you are choosing the place to grow herbs, keep in mind that they thrive best when exposed to sunlight.
Different Types of Soil
An important thing to remember is that different plants require different soil. If you provide proper care to the veggies and still don’t grow, you are likely using the wrong soil. The best you can do is to research the types of soil and decide which vegetables and herbs to grow accordingly.
Choose the Vegetables
Some people are interested only in growing herbs while others like to pick a tomato for breakfast from the balcony. If you are in the second group and are wondering which vegetables you can grow in the apartment – the answer is whichever you imagine. However, you should know that veggies take more time and effort than herbs. If you are not a patient person, you should plant radishes, carrots, lettuce, etc. But keep in mind that they also need weeks even if they are regarded as fast-growing vegetables.
Different Amount of Water
We all know that plants need water. But it is necessary to remember that we can’t water everything equally. Check what amount of water herbs and vegetables in your garden need to make sure you are providing adequate care.
Evergreen Herbs
If you like cooking with fresh herbs, you can sometimes be frustrated about not having access to them throughout the year. Not all herbs are evergreen, so if you see this as important, do research before planting. Examples of herbs that grow the whole year are rosemary, thyme, mint, etc.
Year-Round Veggies
What we mentioned above about herbs also stands for vegetables. You can enjoy some veggies throughout the year such as carrots, potatoes, onions, ginger, etc. We recommend that you always check the properties of a vegetable you want to grow in your garden and see if they correspond to your needs.
Learn About Seeds
We often fail to give seeds the importance they deserve. Different seeds require different treatments before you put them in the ground. If you want to get into garden design, you should know that your chances for success are higher if you know your seeds.
Soften the Soil
Soil needs to be compact for sure, but you have to make sure that it is not too compact. In case it is, you have to loosen it; otherwise, plants won’t be able to get the nutrients they need to grow. Additionally, it will be difficult for water to percolate through the soil.
Think About the Pots
As we mentioned, there are plenty of reasons to have a kitchen garden. Among others, it improves the appearance of your balcony and apartment in general. To enjoy the maximum of this effect, make sure to choose the best pots and planters for your garden design.
Various Exposure to Sunlight
We all know that plants need light. But some have to be exposed to it more than others. When you are choosing plants for your garden, you need to think about how much light they need. Remember that there are always rooms in the apartment in which the sun reaches more easily.
Support for Your Plants
As you know, some plants, like for example tomatoes, require support to grow properly. This is especially important for plants that don’t grow very much in height and climbing plants. If barricades and rods support them, you can be sure they will grow in the right direction.
Conclusion
Gardening comes with a lot of benefits for you, your living space, and the environment. As you could see, there are plenty of garden design ideas that enable you to effortlessly plant herbs and vegetables of your choice even if you are living in a small apartment! Are you already a professional gardener? Or you are just thinking to try your luck and see if you have a green thumb?
Author’s Bio:
Kevin is a content writer for about 3 years. He studied Design and Arts at College in Pennsylvania. A fan of home interior design and, he has taken it upon himself to spread his love for decorating homes by informing people on some of his ideas through his articles.
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