As supermarkets join in the trend to retail organic produce, the choices are enhanced for those who vouch by organic foods; but the cost factor could prove to be daunting for many who want to follow the trend. The heavy price tags on most organic items can make shopping for such produce a difficult bargain. Then, how about a kitchen garden?
The good news though is that you can start your very own organic kitchen garden with minimal fuss.
Some simple tried and tested measures can make the chore seem a breeze. While the rising temperatures can prove to be the spoke in your wheel of gardening ambitions, there are herbs and vegetables that can be nursed to growth without making them endure the wilting heat of the summer sun. Think pots and vertical gardens, and you will get closer to your dream kitchen garden.
Here are some tips and guidelines to get you started:
First Things First
Yes, the temperatures are not conducive for gardening and you can see so many of the planting shrubs in the outdoors falling prey to the summer sun. But a quick check of which plants and herbs to grow at different times of the year will help you get off on the right foot. Start with tomatoes and herbs, which grow well all through the year, provided they do not endure direct sunlight during the summer months. Varieties of green and red spinach, long beans, curry leaves also are good for this time of the year. When winter comes calling, you could expand the garden to include a variety of vegetables, including cucumbers and chillies. Spring time is equally favourable for eggplants, potatoes and the like.
Make Space
With most people residing in apartments and flats than in independent villas, the choice of a garden is restricted to the balcony. But that is not a limitation at all; in fact, it could help grow your plants during the summer months, as protecting them from direct sun is all about finding the right cover. An open garden, on the other hand, will make the task difficult. Opting for a vertical garden could be the trick, as it is easy to maintain and water, and you do not have to compromise on the space. Go shopping for pots of varying sizes (smaller ones for herbs, bigger for vegetables) to fit in your kitchen or living room balcony and look for trellis that can help you erect a vertical garden. Also, what you need to remember, if you want to realise the concept of organic gardening, is to avoid fertilisers or pesticides in your gardening quest. Instead, opt for fresh nutrients and adopt traditional ways that are designed to boost your plants growth and keep those pests away.
Think Herbs
Herbs are the easiest to grow in your homes. Most herbs grow anywhere and require little maintenance on your part. Start with herbs and move on to vegetables and fruits when your confidence level is higher. Cilantro, the quintessential garnishing ingredient, is the easiest to grow. You could get seeds from your neighbourhood nursery; but it is best to start with a healthy plant to experience first timer’s success. Oregano, basil, peppermint and the like are easy to manage too.
Veggies Are Possible
Move over to vegetables when you are certain you have grasped the basic tenets of gardening. With balcony being the focus of your garden, you will have to make space for bigger pots, as you will not be able to house such plants in your trellis; they require space to spread and bear the vegetables or fruits. Drumstick plant, which can grow to a considerable size, can also be planted in a bucket with holes poked into it. Some leafy vegetables and even radishes and carrots can be grown in wide shallow pots.
The options are plenty if you have the determination to go ahead and do gardening – whether it is to consume fresh and organic produce, right from your garden, or to simply find an alternative to enhance your mood with the nature giving you company.