There are many approaches to gardening, and one of the most practical is creating a kitchen garden — a small-scale garden conveniently located close to the kitchen, putting edible plants at their freshest right where you need them most.
From bulk production to the kitchen table
The classic vegetable garden focused on bulk production of food that could be stored by canning or in root cellars. These gardens were prevalent during times of economic hardship such as the Great Depression and the war years. There is still interest in bulk vegetable production for growing fresh organic food and varieties not commonly found in grocery stores — the goal being total control over what you grow.
The kitchen garden is a scaled-down version that does not take up too much time and effort. Plants are chosen for immediate use and rotated through several crop cycles in a single growing season.
The kitchen garden puts edible plants close to the dinner table with the highest possible freshness.
How small can it be?
The garden can be as small as several large containers or raised beds. Using three 2″ × 8″ (or wider) planks makes a handy 4′ × 8′ raised bed. If space is scarce, ornamental landscape beds can easily be repurposed.
What to plant
The typical kitchen garden draws from four main plant families. Choose varieties that match your style of cooking and rotate them through the season for a continuous harvest.
Herbs: Basil, chives, parsley, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. Commonly used dried, but best enjoyed fresh straight from the garden.
Leafy greens: Lettuce, arugula, spinach, chard, and kale. These are the main component and are replanted after each harvest. Ideal for cooler seasons.
Quick-ripening crops: Radish, green onions, peas, and bush beans. As temperatures warm, add cherry tomatoes (bush or caged) and compact hot pepper plants to liven up your menu.
Edible flowers: Nasturtium, pansies, viola, marigold, calendula, and borage. Plant these to garnish your meals and add beauty and surprising flavour to your presentations.
Customize the plant selection to fit your style of cooking and enhance your dishes with fresh and interesting ingredients.
Bernie Dinter — Dinter Nursery, family owned and operated since 1973, offering three generations of horticultural knowledge.