You can make a kitchen garden to be part of your landscape. This will not only bring beauty but will also add flavor in your plate. The garden produces fresh vegetables and it is mostly located closer to the house for ease of accessing the vegetables. Follow the steps below to create a kitchen garden.
1. Determine the location
Decide where you need to locate the garden. Make sure it is closer to the house so that it can be easily accessed. The garden should also be near a source of water for ease of watering. The area should also be sunny because vegetables need sunlight, with rich soil and good drainage.
2. Decide on what to plant
Kitchen gardens are planted vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. Before choosing what to plant, consider the season and the climate in your area. You may also decide to combine flowers with the vegetables to get a better look. The flowers may also serve as a border to the garden and may attract pests, which would have harmed the vegetables.
3. Decide on the garden type and size
There are various types of kitchen gardens with some being in the ground and others on raised beds. The garden can be large or small. The type of garden may be determined by the location that you choose. Raised beds do not require tilling and they are the easiest to start. You can get it as a kit from the stores, or you can make from wood. Ground gardens need to be tilled and prepared for planting.
4. Prepare the planting area
If you are planting on the ground, till the area using a hoe and break the large dirt into smaller pieces for better drainage. Remove the weeds by uprooting even the roots to ensure they do not return. If the soil needs amending, add compost manure or the top soil and mix using a hand till. For a raised bed, replace the soil or replenish it to provide nutrients to the plants.
5. Plan how to arrange the plants
Some plants may need more space than others may, while others may grow taller or mature faster. Some plants such as tomatoes may need trellis. Decide where you will plant different plants. You should also create room for accessing the plants during harvesting or for pathways.
6. Plant
When planting, note the spacing of the plants because different plants have varying spacing needs. They also do not mature at the same rate. Dig holes of the recommended size with a spade. You may also be guided by the size of the root ball to know the size of the hole to dig. Place the plant into the hole and fill the dirt around. Pat the soil down to make it firm. Mulch the area to retain moisture and to protect the plants.
7. Water the plants right away and continue to water regularly while taking care not to over water.
8. Harvest
The plants will have different harvest times and therefore, you should harvest when they are ready.
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