Our Top Tips for starting your own Kitchen Garden Project

Our biggest tip for starting your own kitchen garden would be to install some raised beds- see my previous post - it doesn’t matter if you only have a small space or your garden space hasn’t been tended in years. It will make your whole gardening experience much less labour intensive and save your back!

1. Choose the right location: Raised beds can be placed anywhere in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Consider the location in terms of accessibility for watering and harvesting your plants, as well as protection from wind and animals.

2. Build or buy your beds: You can build your own raised beds using wood, cinder blocks, or even old pallets. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-built raised bed kits from a garden center or online. Just make sure your raised beds are at least 12 inches deep to allow for proper root growth.

3. Choose the right soil: The soil in raised beds should be a mixture of topsoil, well broken down compost, and either perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. Avoid using garden soil, as it is often too heavy and can lead to poor drainage and root rot.

4. Plant your vegetables: Choose vegetables that you enjoy eating. Some great options for raised beds include tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs. Just follow the spacing recommendations on the seed packet or plant label - it really is that simple!

5. Water regularly: Raised beds will dry out more quickly than traditional garden beds, so it's important to water your plants regularly. Check the soil moisture level by sticking your finger about 1-2 inches into the soil - if it feels dry, it's time to water.

6. Keep weeds and pests under control: Use mulch or landscape fabric to suppress weed growth when the beds aren’t in use, and consider installing wire mesh over your beds to keep out pests like butterflies and birds.

With these tips, you'll be on your way to growing your very own vegetables in raised beds! Happy gardening!