Learn how to start a kitchen garden in containers and access fresh vegetables and foods for your home-cooked meals.
Growing your own herbs and vegetables is enjoyable in and of itself but then using those vegetables and herbs to create meals your loved ones can enjoy brings things to the next level.
A kitchen garden is a great way to incorporate your love of growing and tie it into your kitchen cuisine.
A kitchen garden gets its name from its location close to the vicinity of one’s kitchen.
Before the widespread availability of supermarkets, it was common practice for homeowners to grow the ingredients they would use for everyday meals.
Fresh herbs and vegetables offer home cooks the convenience of ingredients steps away from their kitchen.
A container-grown kitchen garden is a perfect option for individuals lacking the space because it allows us to use various-sized containers to create our garden.
Keep reading to learn how you can start your kitchen garden this year and enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your labor!
Helpful Products from Amazon for Starting A Kitchen Garden
Choosing the Right Containers When Starting a Kitchen Garden in Containers
The first step to start a kitchen garden in containers is choosing the proper containers and pots to hold your herbs and vegetables.
There are a few options to choose from each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Growing In Terra Cotta Containers
Terra Cotta containers are a great choice for a kitchen garden.
They look beautiful and create a bit of old-world appeal.
Because they are made of unglazed clay, they are quite porous.
This allows moisture to evaporate easily which promotes healthy root growth.
In addition, terra cotta pots help regulate hot temperatures. The pots “sweat” and this evaporation acts as a cooling effect on the roots.
Some downsides to terra cotta pots are their weight. They can get quite heavy and cumbersome to move around.
Most plants require a full 6 hours of sunshine for optimal growth.
The benefit of growing in containers is we can move the containers around.
This becomes increasingly difficult when we use terra cotta pots as their weight can inhibit the versatility of container use.
In addition, terra cotta pots are susceptible to cracking in the winter months.
Growing In Plastic Containers
Plastic containers are a much better option for most gardeners.
They are lightweight and much more inexpensive than their terra-cotta counterparts.
In addition, they are durable and can withstand many different environmental factors allowing them to be used for years to come.
Plastic containers come in a multitude of colors and sizes that can be selected for our kitchen garden needs.
Growing in Fabric Containers or Metal Containers
My personal favorite containers to grow in are these fabric pots and metal containers.
Fabric pots are an ideal choice because they are inexpensive, but they are also lightweight and easy to store when not in use.
They are made of a breathable material that allows moisture to escape.
When not in use, we fold them up and store them away in our gardening shed.
These are my go-to choice when growing potatoes in containers.
The metal containers are a great option for those of us who enjoy the aesthetics of gardening.
In simple terms, they are beautiful to look at.
In addition, they are one of the most durable of all the materials.
They won’t break because of the cold and although they may deteriorate over time, they will last long enough for you to get your money’s worth.
What Are The Best Plants For A Kitchen Garden
The best advice I can give to you is to plant what you eat. If you love tomatoes, plant those.
Abhor peppers? Then don’t bother.
The most important part of planting a garden is enjoying what you grow.
Now, there is something to be said about the beauty of growing plants for growing sake. For me, there is a lot of delight in caring for and nurturing a plant from a tiny seedling to a healthy, vegetable-producing plant.
Perhaps you too will find delight in this endeavor and choose to explore growing vegetables you don’t always enjoy eating.
The Best Vegetables To Grow In Containers
Tomatoes: Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in containers and for good reason. They are easy to grow, taste great, and can thrive in a variety of container sizes. Choose a determinate variety (such as ‘Bush Early Girl’ or ‘Patio’) for smaller containers, or an indeterminate variety (such as ‘Cherokee Purple’ or ‘Brandywine’) for larger containers.
Peppers: Peppers are another great vegetable for container gardening. They are compact and produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season. Choose a smaller variety, such as ‘Hot Banana’ or ‘Jalapeno’, for smaller containers, or a larger variety, such as ‘California Wonder’ or ‘Cubanelle’, for larger containers.
Greens: Greens like lettuce, spinach, and arugula are perfect for container gardening. They grow quickly and can be harvested as baby greens or allowed to mature into full-size plants.
Radishes: Radishes are fast-growing vegetables that can be grown in containers. They mature in as little as 30 days and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers can be grown in larger containers and can produce a lot of fruit over the course of a growing season. Choose a compact variety, such as ‘Spacemaster’ or ‘Bush Champion’, for smaller containers.
Beans: Bush beans can be grown in containers and produce a lot of tasty beans in a small space. Choose a variety like ‘Contender’ or ‘Provider’ for best results.
This is just a short list of the many different types of vegetables you may like to grow for your kitchen garden.
The most exciting aspect of gardening is experimenting.
There are no hard fast rules to what can and cannot be grown.
What Are The Best Herbs To Grow In Containers
A kitchen garden would not be complete without a selection of herbs to choose from.
Luckily, herbs are easy to start as a kitchen garden in containers. In fact, some herbs like mint should only be growing in a pot to keep them from spreading and taking over a garden space.
Basil: Basil is a popular herb that is easy to grow in containers. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and needs regular watering. Basil comes in many different varieties, including sweet basil, Thai basil, and lemon basil.
Chives: Chives are a hardy herb that can be grown in small containers. They produce long, slender leaves that are great for flavoring soups, salads, and other dishes.
Mint: Mint is a versatile herb that can be used in teas, cocktails, and other recipes. It is best grown in a larger container, as it can spread quickly. Mint comes in many different varieties, including peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate mint.
Parsley: Parsley is a biennial herb that is often used as a garnish for dishes. It has flat or curly leaves and is easy to grow in a small container.
Rosemary: Rosemary is a fragrant herb that is often used in Mediterranean cooking. It prefers dry, sunny conditions and can be grown in a larger container.
Sage: Sage is a hardy herb that has many medicinal benefits. It can be grown in a small or large container, depending on the variety.
Thyme: Thyme is a versatile herb that can be used in soups, stews, and other dishes. It prefers well-draining soil and can be grown in a small container.
Oregano: Oregano is a staple of many meals and a must-grow herb when planted in containers. It will come back year after year and can be dried to save for the pantry.
In addition to run-of-the-mill vegetables and herbs, fruits such as citrus, strawberries, and even watermelon can all be grown in containers.
Planting And Maintenance Of Plants
Once you have selected your containers and have decided on the variety of plants you wish to plant, it’s time to start planting.
A planting calendar is a useful tool when starting your garden. In zone 7b, most of our cold-season vegetables are planted at the end of March while our warm-season vegetables are planted in May.
This date is past our last frost date and allows us to plant our seedlings without risking a surprise with the weather.
When planting, make sure that each container has adequate drainage. In some cases, you will need to drill holes in the bottom of the container to allow extra water to escape.
You will need to use a high-quality organic potting solid such as FoxFarms Potting soil.
Using garden soil is not recommended as it will compact over time and stunt plant growth.
Once your pots are filled with potting soil, it’s time to plant! Each vegetable has its own requirement so you will have to reference the back of your seed packet if starting from seed.
If growing young seedlings you have started indoors or purchased from a nursery, simply dig a hole the size of the seedlings container, plant to a depth up to the first set of true leaves, and water well and deep.
Container Guide to Help Start a Kitchen Garden in Containers
| Vegetable/Herb | Container Size (gallons) | Planting Depth (seeds) | Plants Per Container |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tomatoes |
5-10 |
1/4-1/2 inch |
1 |
|
Peppers |
3-5 |
1/4 inch |
1 |
|
Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Chives, Mint) |
1-3 |
1/4-1/2 inch |
1-3 |
|
Lettuce |
1-2 |
1/4 inch |
4-6 |
|
Spinach |
1-2 |
1/2 inch |
4-6 |
|
Arugula |
1-2 |
1/4 inch |
4-6 |
|
Radishes |
1-2 |
1/2 inch |
8-12 |
|
Carrots |
3-5 |
1/4-1/2 inch |
6-8 |
|
Beets |
3-5 |
1/2-1 inch |
4-6 |
|
Onions |
3-5 |
1/4-1/2 inch |
4-6 |
|
Garlic |
3-5 |
2-3 inches |
4-6 |
|
Potatoes |
10-15 |
4-6 inches |
2-3 |
|
Cucumbers |
5-10 |
1 inch |
1 |
|
Zucchini |
5-10 |
1 inch |
1 |
|
Eggplant |
5-10 |
1/4 inch |
1 |
Start a Kitchen Garden in Containers: Watering
When growing a kitchen garden in containers, you will have to be vigilant about watering.
Containers tend to dry out much more quickly than plants in the ground. In general, you will want to water at least once weekly.
Be sure to check the pots often. Once the top two inches of soil are dry, water the plant.
I highly suggest using a moisture meter to check levels.
Some novice gardeners will tend to either overwater or underwater when first starting out.
The moisture meter gives a good indication of when you should water your plants. In time, watering your plants will become second nature.
Start a Kitchen Garden in Containers: Fertilizing
Plants need food to grow well. When growing in containers, that food source can deplete quickly.
You can resupply plants with organic matter by using compost or by feeding them with a high-quality fertilizer such as Bumper Crop.
You will need to follow the directions on the back of the fertilizer you use for correct application rates.
Be sure to water fertilizer in making sure that any residue left on the plant is washed away.
Start a Kitchen Garden in Containers: Vertical Gardening
Although there are many benefits to container gardening, there are some drawbacks.
The biggest of those is the space limitations.
Luckily, plants have no problem growing up and we can use this to our advantage.
By employing stakes, trellises, bean towers, and tomato cages we can train our plants to grow vertically. In addition, we can provide some of our top-heavy plants like tomatoes the support they need during the gardening season.
Start a Kitchen Garden in Containers: Pest Control
The benefits of growing your own food are many but gardening does come with some headaches.
These headaches usually take the form of pests and diseases that may afflict your plants.
The best form of defense is prevention.
Companion planting is a great form of defense and is highly suggested to mitigate any potential problems.
Neem Oil and insecticidal soaps can also be used to help treat plants once you see the first sightings of any problems.
Be on the lookout for white patches on leaves, brown spots, or anything out of the ordinary.
You will want to use organic sprays.
After all, these are foods you will be consuming and don’t want to risk the implications of using chemicals that can otherwise be detrimental to our health.
Final Thoughts
Starting a kitchen garden doesn’t need to be complicated.
Start small and plant vegetables and herbs you are excited to eat.
By choosing the best containers, using quality soil, watering, and fertilizing your plants you will be well on the way to growing an ample garden this growing season.
There are many reference articles for specific herbs and vegetables at The Ample Garden that we hope you find useful.
Let us know in the comments below what you plan on growing and as always Happy Growing!
