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Growing a kitchen garden


Planning a kitchen garden: from layouts to the best crops

(Image credit: Future)

There is something so satisfying about planning a kitchen garden – laying down ways to provide your own homegrown vegetables, fruit and herbs for the kitchen table, all year round. 

Planning a kitchen garden begins with inspiration – provided by countless kitchen garden ideas – however, the next step transforms these ideas into a reality. From figuring out the right position and defining its size and shape through to picking your crops, discover how to start planning a kitchen garden to add a new dimension to your vegetable garden ideas.

Planning a kitchen garden

'Have you heard the promise that every minute planning saves you 10 minutes in execution?' says Nicole Burke, founder of Gardenary and author of Kitchen Garden Revival  . 'My years in the kitchen garden keep convincing me that every minute spent planning the garden really does save, not just 10 minutes of execution, but maybe 10 weeks of frustration. '

'A kitchen garden should be planned according to the size of the available space. A good way to start is by drawing a sketch of the area and then dividing it into squares or rectangles. Each section can then be allotted a specific type of vegetable or herb,' advises Lindsey Hyland, founder of UrbanOrganic Yield .

(Image credit: Alamy)

What is the difference between a kitchen garden and a vegetable garden?

Before you get started planning a kitchen garden, it is important to know the difference between a kitchen garden and a vegetable garden.

A kitchen garden is a small, compact space, located close to the house (ideally near the kitchen) where you can quickly nip out to get herbs, tomatoes, salad greens or other delicious produce when cooking. They often also incorporate a sitting area, and are more curated and aesthetically pleasing than large vegetable gardens. 

Vegetable gardens, on the other hand, are usually more functional, expansive and industrious spaces where large numbers of vegetables are grown. Vegetable gardens can range from a few feet to acres. 

How do you plan a kitchen garden?

Kitchen gardens and the grow-your-own movement has seen a recent resurgence, and it's understandable. Growing the best fruit trees and planting the easiest vegetables will reward you with the freshest and tastiest crops to enjoy straight from the ground. Plus, you can be sure of enjoying wholesome, organic food, bursting with nutrients and free of any chemical nasties, as you will know everything that has gone into growing those tasty edibles.

(Image credit: Alamy)

(Image credit: Gardenary.com)

What are the advantages of having a kitchen garden?

There are lots of advantages to having a kitchen garden, including:

(Image credit: Future/Leigh Clapp)

When should I plant my kitchen garden?

You can start planning a kitchen garden at any time, but it is best waiting until spring before you start planting. 'You can start planting your kitchen garden whenever the temperature starts rising  and you are past the frost day which usually is after the third week of April. You can start planting the seeds of your produce indoors toward the last weeks of winter, this way you'll have more mature plants ready to be planted outside during spring,' says landscape designer Jonathan Fargion .  

However, there are a few vegetables that can be planted at other times throughout the year, explains Lindsey Hyland:

You also can't beat Swiss chard and perpetual spinach that will crop for a whole year and throughout the winter.

(Image credit: Alamy)

How do you plot a kitchen garden layout?

If you want a traditional vegetable plot, aim for a neat and structured layout with a system of raised beds and garden path ideas. This formal style is known as a ‘potager’. Divide into four areas, ideally with paths, with a small, round central bed if you have the space. 

‘The four beds are then allocated to different plant groups,’ explains plant expert Sarah Raven . ‘Use the first one for roots, subdivided between new potatoes, beetroot and carrots. Use the second for crops like beans and peas (known as legumes). The next one should be for salad and herbs, and the final one a mix such as courgettes, sweetcorn and leafy greens like chard and spinach.’ 

Every plot is different, so work out the best design for your space and needs. There are no rules and you can mix fruit, herbs, vegetable and flowers together, in rows or in blocks. Draw the design on paper first to get the layout clear in your mind.

Symmetry and balance are key elements in designing a kitchen garden with a formal layout, but they also work to add drama and focus to an informal look. For the highest yield, though, stagger the plants in triangles.  

It can be helpful to mix plantings as a large area with a single crop can attract more pests.

Don't forget to include access pathways so that you can get between crops for weeding, planting and harvesting.

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

How do I start a small kitchen garden?

There are crops that can be started each month of the growing season that will give you a succession of crops. 

Aim for small, successional sowings and plantings every couple of weeks for a year-long harvest.

'While garden stores might have you believe that you can only plant your garden in spring each year, the truth is that there are plants and seeds you can add to the garden each and every month of the growing season, as long as you plan it out,' Nicole says.

Starting in summer with your kitchen garden gives you a varied selection to sow for harvesting through the autumn and winter, including beans, beetroot, spring cabbage, sprouting broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, chard, cut-and-come-again leafy salads, peas, pumpkin and pak choi.  

There are many crops that can be sown directly into the warm soil. You can also buy small vegetable plants from nurseries to add directly into beds or containers. 

(Image credit: Alamy)

Growing a kitchen garden in raised beds or containers

Raised beds are an easy and manageable choice for kitchen gardens. They can be filled with organically rich, deep soil ready to use. They are the perfect choice if the soil in your garden is not of a good quality.

Raised garden bed ideas offer good drainage and increase soil temperature and can also act a barrier to pests such as slugs and snails. You can buy ready-made beds or make them yourself. Line timber beds with black polythene to keep the timber dry and increase longevity. Four beds would work well with crop rotation – you can learn more with our guide to crop rotation.

Containers can also be used to grow many fruit, vegetables or herbs. There are many different types of upcycled and recycled containers that can be put to this use, just ensure that they are big enough for the chosen crop and that the material they are made from is safe for the purpose.

A tripod of beans in a container or rising out of a garden bed takes up little room and looks pretty in flower.

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

What can you grow in a kitchen garden?

You can grow almost anything in a kitchen garden. The key to success when planning a kitchen garden, though, is to choose high yield crops that take up little space. For instance, growing tomatoes, while high maintenance and needing plenty of water and feeding, can be done vertically so don't take up too much space, and produce lots of fruit. 

As with all kitchen gardening, choose the right plant for the right place, selecting strong, healthy plants that suit the conditions.

If this is your first time growing edibles it is best to start small, and with the easiest crops, such as cut-and-come-again salad leaves, zucchini – or courgette – beets, strawberries, broad or runner beans, garlic, onions and potatoes.

Aim for a mix of crops you love to eat, herbs you use regularly, and fruit you enjoy – adding in perennial flowering plants, annuals and some shrubs for year round structure.  

Sow successionally in the growing season, interplant compatible edibles, and rotate crops to avoid disease building up in the soil. Pop in some bulbs for spring color, such as tulips and alliums, during the 'hungry gap' – when harvests are lower. 

Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy of the The Land Gardeners are known for their pretty planting combinations. 'Big pots of tulips look lovely planted with mint, and we also incorporate peonies in a kitchen garden and interplant with Verbena bonariensis and cosmos for when the peonies die back,’ they advise. 

'Move the flowers around the beds each year – looking for beautiful combinations and always experiment,' they add.

It's worth hunting out organically grown seeds and plants, as conventionally grown plants are often already loaded with pesticides and chemical fertilisers – exactly the type of things you are trying to avoid.

Try using companion planting when you grow your own veg, as a natural and organic way to reduce pests attacking your crops, increase yields and to attract beneficial insects - such as edging with chives or marigolds. Aim to be as organic as possible for the most nutritious produce. 

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

Factor in herbs to your kitchen garden plan

Herbs, such as mint, thyme, parsley and sage, are expensive to buy but easy to grow, and many are perennial so will keep supplying your kitchen year after year.

'Herbs are the perfect plants to grow in your kitchen garden given their versatility and universality in recipes, and you can also grow multiple varieties in a small space. They offer the best 'bang for your buck' given you often only need a small amount for each recipe but they can cost a lot when buying direct from the grocery store. This way, you also don't have to worry about waste either!' explains Sandra Nanka, herb expert and owner at Mudbrick Herb Cottage .

'There are some herbs that are even ideal to keep in a restricted container so they don't overtake your whole kitchen garden, such as mint, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, calendula and chives. A salad green mix which you can harvest in small amounts as needed is another great plant to grow in your kitchen garden.

(Image credit: Peter D Anderson / Alamy Stock Photo)

Easy kitchen garden crops to grow

ONIONS are easy to grow. Plant in spring and they will be ready for lifting by early midsummer and store until early winter. And don't forget, onion companion planting can improve your crop.

SQUASH comes in many varieties, some summer, some winter so when looking at planning a kitchen garden they are a good choice for a succession of crops. Sow in spring outside where they are to grow. They are also good for growing in large containers.

AUBERGINES can be treated much as you would treat tomatoes. Sow seeds in spring and place in a propagator or on a warm window sill. Ideally grow in a greenhouse or cold frame as they need plenty of warmth.

PLUMS are not difficult to grow but need a warm, frost free spot in well-drained, moisture retentive soil. Mulch in mid spring and thin out young fruit to avoid over laden branches breaking.

RADISHES are easy to look after and you will see quick results. Enrich the soil with good compost and sow seeds about 1cm deep and at least 2.5cm apart between March and August. They will be ready to harvest after about a month. 

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

LETTUCES are easy to grow and cut-and-come-again leaves will give you a selection for weeks. Sow every few weeks so that you can enjoy them through the year. They like fertile, moisture-retentive soil.

CARROTS  can be sown in March or April in the open. For sweet, small carrots, sow every few weeks from early spring to late summer for a harvest from June to November. Plant in full sun for earlies, or part shade for main crop varieties, with plenty of organic matter dug in.

BEANS are among the easiest vegetables to grow when considering how to plan a kitchen garden, particularly for beginners. Plant once frosts have passed, in a sunny spot, in well-drained soil.

POTATOES are truly delicious when homegrown. If growing potatoes, plant them out from early spring, they grow best in fertile, slightly acidic, loose soil, and need watering regularly.

STRAWBERRIES can be planted in April for a summer harvest. Feed from flowering to harvest time with a product high in potassium.

ZUCCHINI/COURGETTES can produce up to 4kg of vegetables in a growing season, with two plants ample for most families

What is the best position for a kitchen garden?

Positioning the kitchen garden close to the kitchen allows you to pop out quickly and grab a handful of herbs or a larger harvest as needed.

If you prefer a more informal look opt for a vegetable patch amongst cottage garden ideas, with a mix of crops, flowers and shrubs. You can grow edibles anywhere – you don’t need a dedicated plot. 

‘Choose an area you can get to easily,’ says Sarah Mead, head gardener at Yeo Valley Organic Garden . ‘That way you can harvest and add successional plantings throughout the season. Don’t be afraid to mix edibles and ornamentals for a really interesting display.’ 

This also means you rarely plant the same crop in the same place, giving you an easy solution to crop rotation. 

(Image credit: Gardenary)

For success in planning a kitchen garden you need to get right the principles of sun, water, soil and wind protection

SUN – for crops to grow well they ideally need morning sun and around six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. 

If you don't have the right sunny conditions in your backyard, though, don't despair as there are some fruit and veg that still grow well in a part shady spot – these include lettuce, greens, some herbs, cherries, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants.

WATER – position your kitchen garden in a spot where you have easy access to water, or where the hosepipe will extend to. Crops can get very thirsty during summer months, so you don't want to be lugging water up and down the yard all day!

SOIL – the ideal soil is rich in nutrients, has an open texture to allow water and roots to penetrate, while holding moisture well. The less you do to the soil the better; single digging is sufficient and many gardeners advocate a no-dig method, which uses thick mulches to suppress any weeds.

WIND PROTECTION – is also important when planning a kitchen garden, so hedging, fencing or hurdles can be used to shelter plants from the wind. Added to which, these can help you to maximize every space by growing crops up the vertical surfaces, such as espaliered vegetables or fruit, or peas, beans and cucumbers up climbing frames.

Mixed native hedging, such as hawthorn intermingling with dog roses, around the plot can provide attractive shelter and protection.

(Image credit: Jamie Innes of Artisan Landscapes)

How do I make a vegetable garden look pretty?

Growing crops among flowers is a way to introduce edibles if you don’t have the room or time for a separate kitchen garden area. By having produce interwoven with companion plants and cut flowers can create an attractive feature that is too lovely to have hidden away at the bottom of your backyard.

You can integrate a small selection of edibles among herbs and flowers, moving crops and flowers in rotation. A wide variety of herbs, such as rosemary, chives and sage, are an attractive addition in any garden.

Remember that many fruit and vegetable plants are also quite beautiful to look at – such as the vibrant stems of chard against the deep green crinkle of the leaves, or deep purple veins on cabbages – so they can be a decorative addition to your garden planting, too, and needn't be hidden away.

At RHS Rosemoor in Devon in South West England, ornamentals and edibles blend in an effervescent profusion in the kitchen garden. They grow the likes of Kale ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Redbor’ next to each other, 'as the dark green and red foliage of the two varieties contrast so well with one another,' explains Peter Adams, the Edibles Team Leader.  

Another attractive combination used is the bold colors of Swiss chard varieties including ‘Fantasy’, ‘Bright Yellow’ and ‘White Silver’, with surrounding plantings of borage, Californian poppies, and the delicate flowers of coriander ‘Confetti’,  helping to set the chard off. 

(Image credit: Yeo Valley Organic Garden)

‘Swiss chard has lovely ornamental value,’ says Jamie Innes of Artisan Landscapes . ‘It can also be allowed to bolt, which can have a really interesting effect on a mixed border. The leaf formation makes them look like a type of tropical Verbascum.’ 

Kale can be worked into naturalistic plantings. ‘I especially like the glaucous blue-tinged forms. They seem to work really well against the backdrop of a golden haze of ornamental grasses,’ says Jamie.

If you want something a little more exotic, Jamie suggests trying New Zealand yam (oca). It has a long growing season with lush lime green foliage. ‘The harvested tubers come in a wonderful range of colours and look beautiful on any plate of food. ’

Peter Adams offers more advice for how to create a kitchen garden that is pretty as well as productive:

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

How do you prepare the soil for a kitchen garden?

Soil health is vital when planning a kitchen garden. Healthy, fertile soil, with good structure encourages good growth in the fruit and vegetable plants by helping them to absorb water and nutrients.

Test the PH levels of your soil to see if it is more acid or alkaline as this will help you choose the best crops to grow.

Clay soil types will need breaking up and takes longer to warm up so is better for later crops. Light, sandy soils are better for early vegetables but will need plenty of compost and manure adding. These bulky materials release nutrients slowly, improve soil condition and to help retain water.

Penny Hemming, head gardener at Riverford Organic , offers this basic recipe for a nice, crumbly, rich-smelling and loose textured compost that makes a fantastic soil conditioner within six months:

Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy research plant and soil health and advise to grow 'a lot of green manures, such as phacelia, buckwheat and mustard, which look beautiful, heal the soil and also attract beneficial insects.'

Crop rotation will also help to put new nutrients in the soil and avoid the build up of diseases.

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

This feature was created by H&G sister brand, Period Living magazine

Subscribe to Period Living for more inspiration  

Period Living is the UK's best-selling period homes magazine. A subscription provides you with all you need to know about caring for and improving a traditional house and garden

Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors. She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens.

With contributions from

How to Start Growing Food Today

Kitchen gardening is making a comeback. These small, attractive, and productive vegetable gardens are having a renaissance of sorts. They’re popping up in backyards around the world. Let’s take a look at the basics of kitchen gardening with an expert on the subject, Nicole Burke, author of the beautiful book, Kitchen Garden Revival. The info in this article, combined with what you’ll find in Nicole’s book, will have you growing in your own kitchen garden like a pro. 

This small yet stylish kitchen garden is just the right size for providing fresh veggies and herbs for the family.

What is kitchen gardening? 

There are two types of kitchen gardening. The first type takes place in your kitchen and can involve either re-growing veggies from food scraps (if you want to try this, I recommend Katie Elzer-Peter’s book, No-Waste Kitchen Gardening) or growing herbs and veggies on your windowsill. But the type of kitchen gardening we’re talking about in this article takes place outdoors. It involves growing fresh, organic vegetables right outside your back door. Instead of taking place in the kitchen, this type of kitchen gardening takes place for the kitchen. 

The French have known the kitchen garden as the potager for generations, and the American colonists practiced kitchen gardening, too. But industrialization changed that and the kitchen garden was replaced by the straight rows of Victory Gardens. Sadly, with the subsequent industrialization of our entire food system, most families found themselves with no food garden at all. 

This kitchen garden, designed by Nicole Burke, consists of 4 raised beds laid out in a symmetrical pattern. Photo by Eric Kelley for Kitchen Garden Revival

How is kitchen gardening different from “regular” vegetable gardening? 

A renewed interest in kitchen gardening, however, is bringing this tradition back into vogue. I took the question of how a kitchen garden differs from a vegetable patch to Nicole, and here’s what she had to say about it: “To me, what makes a kitchen garden unique from a ‘regular’ vegetable garden is that it’s typically smaller, tended more often, and designed to connect more aesthetically with the design and architecture of the home.” Kitchen gardens are designed spaces, with symmetrical beds organized and planted in an aesthetically pleasing way. In other words, kitchen gardens are not only productive, they’re also pretty. They’re also meant for fresh eating, rather than for growing large amounts of food for canning and preserving. 

This pretty two-bed kitchen garden sits in a previously unused nook and is designed to fit the home’s architecture. Design by Nicole Burke. Photo by Eric Kelley for Kitchen Garden Revival

Where to put your kitchen garden 

Nicole loves to tie the kitchen gardens her company, Rooted Garden, designs and installs to other existing aspects of the home, such as a fence line, the edge of the house, or even by lining it up with windows or doorways.  “You really want the kitchen garden to look like it’s always been there,” she notes. Designing the garden to connect with the lines and objects that are already on-site is the best way to do that.

“Of course, you want to prioritize sunlight most,” she stresses, “and you do that by ensuring you’re on the southern side of any tall structures in your landscape. Then, you’ll want to be sure you’re near a water source. Once you’ve thought about sunlight and water, then consider the aesthetics of your home and how you could extend one line or another and create a new space that feels like it’s always been a part of your home.”

In other words, don’t hastily plunk in a kitchen garden. Think through which space on your property you’d most like to spend time in that also has plenty of light. That’s where you want the garden; not far away and out of sight, but as closely tied to your everyday life as possible.

Keep your kitchen close to home for easier maintenance and harvesting. But, make sure the site receives at least 8 hours of sun per day.

Kitchen garden design basics

Nicole believes that for both ease of use and for the health of the plants, raised beds are the way to go. “Raised beds allow you to set up and plant right away without the years of amending and working your native soil,” she says. It doesn’t matter what the beds are built from. It could be wood, stone, metal, or bricks; whatever suits your budget and partners well with your home and existing landscape.

Raised beds also allow you to more intensively plant your gardens so you can get more out of a small space. Many of the gardens Nicole’s company installs take up as little as 30 square feet and consist of anywhere from 2 to 6 symmetrically arranged raised beds with walking paths in between. Of course a larger kitchen garden is great, too, but for most families, such a large space isn’t necessary (or budget friendly!). 

Of course, kitchen gardens don’t need to consist of raised beds. Any space divvied up into symmetrical beds with pathways and attractive plantings of edibles is technically a kitchen garden. “If you’re tending the garden regularly and harvesting often, you’ve got a kitchen garden, even if it’s in the ground. But, if you have raised beds, you’ll probably enjoy the experience more. At least that’s my opinion!”  she jokes.

While raised beds make kitchen garden maintenance easier, they aren’t necessary. This small backyard kitchen garden still has the hallmark symmetrical beds and overall design.

What to grow in a kitchen garden 

You can grow a lot of things in a kitchen garden but that doesn’t mean you should. A kitchen garden is all about setting priorities, according to Nicole. She notes that you can either grow a lot of a few things or a little of a lot of things, but you can’t really do both. Her recommendation is to grow all your herbs, nearly all of your greens, and the fruiting plants you most enjoy. In her own kitchen garden, that means leafy greens, like ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, spring mix, and kale; herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and parsley; and then her family’s favorite fruiting plants which include cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shishito peppers, and sugar snap peas.  

In her own garden, Nicole focuses on growing the vegetables and herbs her family eats the most. Photo by Eric Kelley for Kitchen Garden Revival

To maximize space, focus on growing dwarf vegetable varieties whenever possible. Instead of growing a tomato that will grow 6 to 8 feet tall, choose one that tops out at 2 feet. There are dwarf and compact versions of nearly every vegetable you can grow. These selections have been bred to stay smaller, and as a result, they take up less room in the kitchen garden. Since space is at a premium when kitchen gardening, compact vegetable varieties are a smart idea, whenever possible. If you want to discover some great choices, we introduce you to dozens of compact veggie varieties for the kitchen garden in this article.

Maintaining the garden 

To minimize maintenance in your kitchen garden, Nicole recommends you think about nature. She recalls the time she was visiting Big Bend National Park. She couldn’t help but notice how all of the native plants situated themselves together. “It was a rolling mass of plants, with tall plants in the center of the mass, medium plants in the middle, and small plants sprawling on the ends with little to no soil exposed in between.” It made her think about the importance of echoing nature’s planting methods in her own kitchen garden plantings. 

She now sings the praises of intensive planting in kitchen gardens. “Instead of mono cropping a raised bed with a mass of just one plant, think about nature and the way these plants would situate themselves. Plant your beds with large plants in the center – usually growing up a trellis – medium plants to the side, and small plants like herbs, greens, and flowers around the outside edge of the beds. This intensive planting creates layers and nearly eliminates the challenge of weeds. It makes water retention so much better, and also prevents pests and diseases as your plants and flowers work together, just as they do in nature.”

Once the garden is planted and begins to fill in, the most time consuming tasks are pruning and harvesting, though watering is essential, especially during times of drought.  

Intensively planted beds mean fewer weeds and lower maintenance. Just remember to keep the garden watered.

The importance of succession planting

Since kitchen gardens are often on the smaller side, it’s important to continually plant new crops as others are harvested. It’s a practice known as succession planting. 

“In the small space of a kitchen garden, it’s so important (and so much more fun) to use up every inch of space all year long,” says Nicole. “My experience gardening in Houston taught me this in such an incredible way because there are twelve months of growing season there, but each month is different. I discovered that adding the next season of plants and seeds each month kept the garden producing and opened my eyes to what’s possible in nearly any climate.”

Now that Nicole’s home garden is in the Chicago area, she definitely has fewer months of production from the garden, but she has an appreciation for the various seasons of growing. By continuously planting new vegetables into the garden, you get to enjoy harvests earlier (well before the threat of frost is over) and later (well after the fall frost arrives) – and every week in between.

In her book, Nicole teaches the concept of the “Arc of the Seasons” to get gardeners to think beyond the idea of planting everything all at once. Instead, plant different crops at different times of the year, according to their preferred growing seasons. 

No matter the size of your garden, succession planting ensures a continual harvest.

Why should every home have a kitchen garden? 

Our modern industrialized food chain gives us very little control over where our food comes from and what goes into growing it. But by starting a kitchen garden and growing even a small portion of your own food, you’ll not only be cultivating a connection to what you eat, you’ll also be helping the planet. Not to mention the fact that it just feels good to have a hand in feeding yourself and your family. Plus it’s good exercise! 

Nicole has a lot to say about the joys and importance of kitchen gardening. Once she began her own kitchen garden and saw how good it was for her and how she had more than enough to share with her neighbors, it then extended into an appreciation for local farmers and a desire to support them. It also turned into a love of the bees, butterflies, and toads that returned to her yard. All this because of a few raised beds filled with veggies. She was convinced the whole world needed a kitchen garden.

“There aren’t many things in the world that are beautiful and inspiring, productive, and so good for every aspect of your health,” she says. “At first glance, you wouldn’t think that having a kitchen garden could change the world. But when you think about the fact that all of us eat three meals a day, you soon realize that the choices we make with our food add up quickly. I truly believe a kitchen garden revival could change the whole world for the better.” Here at Savvy Gardening, we couldn’t agree more! 

For more information on starting a kitchen garden of your own, pick up a copy of Kitchen Garden Revival and get growing. You can also join Nicole’s kitchen garden community, Gardenary. 

And for additional tips on raised bed gardening, check out the following articles: 

Do you already grow in a kitchen garden or plan to start one soon? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comment section below.  

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Since childhood, we have become accustomed to the ordinary appearance of cucumbers, but these vegetables are actually not only elongated and green. The desire to grow something unusual allowed me to open a window into a huge variety of varieties of cucumbers with non-standard appearance. In this article, I would like to talk about the most unusual gourmet cucumbers. All the cucumbers described below belong to the common cucumber species, that is, to the same species as our common cucumbers. But this does not prevent them from having an unusual appearance and taste. nine0003

Samkon tomatoes are a godsend for canned food lovers

A characteristic feature of Samkon hybrid tomatoes are pepper-shaped fruits of a classic red color with a smooth glossy skin. And you can be sure that they look like this not only in the picture. Such a crop looks great both on the bushes and on the table.

10 unusual and interesting vegetables

If potatoes, tomatoes, and other ordinary vegetables no longer hold any secrets for you and you want to add a little originality to your garden, you can start growing little-known vegetables. In this article, we will talk about amazing vegetables that are not found in any neighbor's garden, but you can try to grow them in your own garden. Oka or Peruvian wasp (Oxalis tuberosa) is a small plant with swollen tubers from the Oxalis family. In nature, it grows on the high plateaus of the Andes. nine0003

Are plant mutations normal or dangerous?

Today, more and more often you can see photographs of plants with various kinds of deviations in development. Extraordinarily colored flowers and fruits, fused fruits, vegetables and berries, twin shoots... They are put up on forums, people ask questions about them on social networks, and ask again in the comments under the articles. Questions: Why is this happening? and “Isn’t it dangerous?” arise in almost everyone. Let's see what mutations our plants can undergo and how dangerous it is. nine0003

Ornamental eggplant "Golden Egg" - cultivation experience

Initially, I planned to grow these eggplants exclusively as an ornamental plant in a container on the terrace, but it turned out that it is also a very tasty vegetable. In this article I will talk about the features of this compact eggplant variety and my experience in growing and consuming such an unusual crop. The Golden Egg Eggplant (Solanum melongena 'Golden Egg') is an adorable little eggplant whose fruits are egg-shaped. For the first time this variety was grown by the British Thomas Jefferson. nine0003

Halloween is coming - all about decorative pumpkins

We grew the first decorative pumpkins many years ago. And now without them nothing. Pumpkins are everywhere: both at home and at work. Relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors and completely uninvolved take them away recklessly. Sometimes they are just passing by. When the kids ask, you can't refuse! There will be an article about decorative pumpkins: what are they, can you eat or not, how to place them in the garden, and what are the options for practical use. Traditionally, pumpkins with small fruits of an unusual shape, color or texture are classified as decorative. nine0003

Tomato in a pot - details of cultivation and care

Not each of us has the opportunity to grow tomatoes in the garden or in the greenhouse. However, there is a window sill in every home. And if you have a desire, you can also try to grow tomatoes on the windowsill. And not only in summer, but also in winter. However, here it is necessary to adhere to certain rules that will achieve the best results. This includes choosing the right variety, and determining the volume of containers, and applying the correct irrigation rates, and competent fertilization, as well as some other subtleties. nine0003

How to harvest beets and celery correctly?

In the spring, we talked about how to grow beets and celery in seedlings. Now, in the middle of autumn, it is time to harvest our crop, talk about the signs of ripeness, proper collection and storage conditions for each of these root crops. When should beets be harvested? How to determine the timing of the beet harvest? What are the rules for harvesting beets? As in any other business, when harvesting beets, you need to be guided by the rule of the golden mean. You will learn more about everything in our video and article. nine0003

Healthy lifestyle on a knife - what harm can vegetables bring and what ...

There are no ecologically clean places left on our planet. The industrial revolution, coupled with the rapidly developing consumer society, has already dirtied everything that is possible. There are microplastics and industrial emissions in both Antarctica and Tibet. Groundwater is polluted almost everywhere. There is almost no healthy soil in developed regions. Nothing to say about air. This is our current reality, very sad. And well noticeable by the avalanche-like growth of the percentage of the unhealthy population. nine0003

Growing in cloth bags - advantages and disadvantages

If you're interested in making the most of your greenhouse and yard space, consider growing crops in bags. Many gardeners resort to using containers for some plants, in such situations it makes sense to try using special bags as analogues. They have some advantages over plastic containers. In this article, we will talk about grow bags in more detail. Plant growing bags are not a new idea. nine0003

Why thick-skinned tomatoes and how to use them?

Have you ever encountered a tomato that has such a rough skin that it is almost impossible to bite through? If so, then you are probably curious to know what causes tomato skins to develop too tough. But more importantly, it is useful for gardeners to know how to avoid this. In our article you will find answers to all these questions. It also happens that we wait all season to try the first tomato from the garden, and when we pick it, we find that the skin of the fruit has become tough. nine0003

Green-shouldered friends: why the tops of tomatoes do not ripen

It is very disappointing when you are waiting for the harvest of tomatoes, but suddenly you are faced with an unpleasant green or yellow top on the fruit, which stubbornly refuses to ripen. Unfortunately, once these "shoulders" are discovered, there is nothing you can do to eliminate them. However, there are ways to completely prevent the appearance of green and yellow shoulders, and we will talk about this in the article. The greenish or yellowish area around the stalk is often referred to as green (or yellow) shoulders, which are hard to the touch. nine0003

Is sunburn of tomatoes really harmless?

No matter how unpretentious tomatoes are, their cultivation also causes problems. As a rule, gardeners talk about diseases on tomatoes. However, there is another common tomato problem that many people ignore that is not related to disease - sunburn. How the burn of tomato fruits manifests itself and how to prevent it, our article will tell. Sunburn usually affects tomatoes and some other members of the nightshade family. nine0003

Getting rid of bitterness in cucumbers - useful tips

Cucumbers are delicious and versatile vegetables. Their juicy green slices are a great addition to salads and sandwiches. However, cucumbers sometimes grow bitter. In this article, we will look at why cucumbers are bitter and what you can do to keep them from being bitter in the garden and for culinary use. Millions of years ago, cucumbers ate almost all types of insects and herbivores, as a result of which cucumbers eventually began to produce a chemical called cucurbitacin. nine0003

Cabbage - we protect from pests

Cabbage is not just one of the most popular vegetable crops. It is tasty, healthy and relatively unpretentious. True, it is in “demand” not only among people, but also among various insects, which are also not averse to feasting on succulent leaves

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Garden and vegetable garden. Everything about growing fruits and vegetables - Botanichka

It is impossible to live in the country and not grow any fruit crops on your site. Even if there is only one acre of land near your house, sooner or later you will plant an apple or cherry tree on it and, at a minimum, organize a vertical bed for greenery. Because there is nothing tastier than home-grown fruits, vegetables, berries and even mushrooms. And, given the fact that it is becoming more and more difficult to buy really healthy fruits in a store or on the market (not processed with excessive chemistry) every day, then your own garden and vegetable garden is just a necessity. Our section was created so that you learn how to easily and with pleasure get the result from your work in the garden and in the beds. nine0003

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An experienced summer resident knows what a long way all the fruits go when they get to his table from his own garden or kitchen garden. How much work, how much attention is invested in each cucumber or apple! And how much joy tender greens bring, the first to hatch from under the snow in spring. How much pride can be experienced by growing the largest onion in the area! The materials of our section will help summer residents with experience and, especially, beginners to understand all the intricacies of growing garden and garden crops. How to save seedlings until spring? How to prepare a good soil for seedlings? How to cover strawberries for the winter? The list of questions answered by the materials of this column has long ago exceeded a thousand. And our authors work every day to replenish them. If you have your own orchard and garden, and, moreover, if you are just planning them for now, visit us more often, and growing your own vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs and mushrooms will turn into a favorite hobby. You can share your achievements on this front in the relevant topics of the Nerd Forum. nine0003

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Mushrooms - what and how to use for interior, decor and art?

If anyone noticed, mushrooms have penetrated the world fashion. Starting with jewelry and ending with interior items. For the most part, there are still images of mushrooms. But already last season, fashion designer Stella McCartney introduced the world's first mushroom leather clothing. Looks beautiful. Mycelium pouches began to appear. That is, mushrooms in the decor are a trend. In my opinion, live mushrooms are much more interesting than their images, and the decorative effect of some is amazing. The article will be about mushrooms. How can you get an exclusive in your interior. nine0003

Which garden plants can be grown at home in winter?

After moving from the frosty Khabarovsk Territory to the Kuban, for two years only one of the indoor plants lived in the house - aloe. There was no urgent need for other rooms. Snow falls for a maximum of a week, more often for three days (though several times during the winter). The soil does not freeze and the grass in the valleys is green. Until December, chrysanthemums can bloom, and from the beginning of February, the forest blooms with cyclamens, even if snow periodically falls and freezes. But window sills, it turns out, like nature, do not tolerate emptiness. nine0003

The most common diseases and pests of peaches

To date, many varieties of peach have been bred, which can be quite winter-hardy and winter well in the middle lane. But, unfortunately, not very high frost resistance of peach is not the only problem, and these trees can also be affected by various pests and diseases, even if they winter well, let's talk about the most common diseases and pests in the article. Peach leaf curl is one of the most common diseases of nectarines and peaches. nine0003

How do plant roots live?

Walking in the garden, looking around it with a master's eye and anticipating how many things will grow here, we, of course, see only the tip of the icebergs. That is crowns and trunks. Everything that is underground is securely hidden from our eyes. For a long time, what the plant had underground there could only be remotely judged by the trees uprooted with part of the roots. Or roots exposed by landslides, erosion. But there were still researchers who unearthed (in the literal sense!) What is there, among the plants below. nine0003

Features of growing basella or Malabar spinach

Despite its name, Malabar spinach is not related to true spinach. It is a very original decorative vine up to 3 meters long. But external attractiveness is not the only advantage of the plant. Its leaves can indeed be used in cooking similarly to spinach. In this article, I will talk about the features of Malabar spinach and my experience in growing it. Malabar spinach has two varieties: white basella and red basella. nine0003

Mastering new varieties of sweet potato - what are they and how do they differ?

Digging sweet potatoes is a pleasure, especially when you pick out 1. 5-kilogram tubers from the ground (sometimes more!) Or you pull out “sausage” tubers hanging on it together with a bush, all one-dimensional, 400 grams each. dig. They crawl away from the base of the bush by half a meter or more. At the same time, the process requires accuracy - the tubers are fragile. The article will be about sweet potato. The subtleties of growing technology for little suitable regions, criteria for choosing varieties, and about varieties. nine0003

Amazing varieties of Chinese mild peppers

Chinese pepper is known as a species with a very strong pungency. In fact, the heat from these peppers is so strong that it can harm both people and pets, causing burns to the skin and mucous membranes. At the same time, these peppers have a pleasant fruity flavor and aroma. To enjoy the taste of Chinese pepper without sad consequences, mild varieties were bred. Let's learn about them today. Most cultivated peppers fall into one of three main types. nine0003

Lunar calendar of the gardener and gardener for December 2022

If there is no snow, an enthusiastic gardener will always find something to do in the December garden: cover what is not covered, organize bird feeders, protect plants from rodents . .. You can even sow something in December if there is a “window” in frosty weather. True, for this it was necessary to prepare the ground in advance (take it out to a non-freezing room) and make furrows in the ground before it freezes. We sow seeds in the ready furrows and ... we begin to prepare for the New Year! nine0003

Fairy pumpkin: features of pumpkin "Muscat of Provence"

The popular variety "Muscat of Provence" is also known in France as the "Fairy Gourd". These adorable pumpkins have deep ribs that give them a very decorative look. "Fairy pumpkins" are great for cooking many dishes. They also make a wonderful festive fall decor. In this article we will talk about the features of the variety and its main variations. The "fairy pumpkin" in French is called Musquée de Provence ("Muscat of Provence"). nine0003

Tomatoes with wonderful foliage

The more varieties of tomatoes you grow, the more you notice that not all tomatoes are alike. If you look closely at their leaves, you can find many variations. But most often the tomato is divided into plants with "tomato" or "potato" foliage. But that's not all. In this article, I will talk about unusual varieties of tomatoes with original colored leaves or unusually shaped foliage. Variety Description: This is a variegated-leaved varietal tomato that originated in Ireland. nine0003

Unusual peas - varieties with edible pods

These peas can bear abundantly and yield much more than regular shelling peas. Also, planting these peas will save you the labor of peeling, which can be time consuming if you grow a lot of peas. In this article, I would like to talk about peas, the pods of which can be eaten whole, and also show the varieties that I grew myself. Common "wrinkled" shelling peas have a hard pod wall and a rough parchment layer. nine0003

Why plant different varieties of potatoes?

The vast majority of my acquaintances gardeners enthusiastically engaged in the choice of varieties of tomatoes and cucumbers, lining catalogs and digging the net in search of the very best. Potatoes are grown from year to year the same, while rarely anyone knows the name of the variety. If you grind it (no one bothers with the correct selection for landing either), they ask acquaintances / friends / colleagues - they share. Or buy in the market. But what about the incredible variety of potatoes that exists in the world? nine0003

Aggressive trees and shrubs in the garden

The gardener is like the leader of a large team. On the one hand, it is necessary that everyone together perform a common task with high quality (be fruitful), on the other hand, as in any large team, in addition to cooperation, there is quarrelsomeness, rivalry, and even hidden aggression. Therefore, the garden manager, in addition to external support (watering, fertilizing, processing), also has to deal with internal conflicts. The article will be about fruit plants that tend to show aggression. nine0003

The most amazing cucumbers I have ever grown

Since childhood, we have become accustomed to the ordinary appearance of cucumbers, but these vegetables are actually not only elongated and green. The desire to grow something unusual allowed me to open a window into a huge variety of varieties of cucumbers with non-standard appearance. In this article, I would like to talk about the most unusual gourmet cucumbers. All the cucumbers described below belong to the common cucumber species, that is, to the same species as our common cucumbers. But this does not prevent them from having an unusual appearance and taste. nine0003

Autumn is coming to an end - how to prepare the garden for the new season?

Actually, preparations for the new season have been going on for a long time: bulbous spring-flowering plants have been planted, perennials - too, fruit seedlings have been planted and carefully covered. Garlic is buried in the beds and all sorts of seeds are sown before winter. But this is only a small part of the preparation for the new season, because a good jump needs a good run-up. The article will be about what not to forget to do now and what needs to be done during the winter so that the next season brings joy, and not hassle and grief. nine0003

Samkon tomatoes are a godsend for canned food lovers

A characteristic feature of Samkon hybrid tomatoes are pepper-shaped fruits of a classic red color with a smooth glossy skin. And you can be sure that they look like this not only in the picture. Such a crop looks great both on the bushes and on the table.

10 unusual and interesting vegetables

If potatoes, tomatoes, and other ordinary vegetables no longer hold any secrets for you and you want to add a little originality to your garden, you can start growing little-known vegetables. In this article, we will talk about amazing vegetables that are not found in any neighbor's garden, but you can try to grow them in your own garden. Oka or Peruvian wasp (Oxalis tuberosa) is a small plant with swollen tubers from the Oxalis family. In nature, it grows on the high plateaus of the Andes. nine0003

Purple raspberry spot, or didimella - how to deal with it?

Didimella, or purple (purple) spotting, is a common raspberry disease that, if left untreated, gradually leads to the death of the plant. It is believed that it is impossible to completely get rid of the disease due to the particularly high resistance of the pathogen to adverse conditions. However, it is still quite possible to reduce the rate of development of purple spotting with the help of therapeutic and preventive measures and achieve a good harvest of berries. The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Didimella. nine0003

Winter pruning - should I do it?

Autumn in nature is a very caring time. Nature covers the earth, plant roots, living creatures with fallen leaves and withering grass. Shamefully hides garbage thrown by people under colorful litter. Bares trees so that they do not suffer from the abundance of snow and strong cold withering winds. And the skeletons of fruit crowns immediately show gardeners that an adjustment is required here. The hand reaches for the secateurs. And then a garden saw. The article will be about whether it is worth cutting fruit and berry plants in late autumn.

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