Kitchen Gardening is more than just a hobby. When it comes to veggies freshness is the key and what’s fresher than growing your own vegetables? Raising your own garden has ample of benefits, at least you know what has gone in the product and what you are eating. Having your own garden also saves a lot of money. Fortunately, you don’t need a green thumb or a degree authentication to grow a treasure of fresh vegetables right in your backyard or balcony. There’s no need to be intimidated to take on the task of gardening; it doesn’t matter if you are a gardening novice or have an expertise in this field anyone can do it. Other than this, there are numerous benefits of gardening. For instance, it is a great stress reliever; research shows that the people who take up gardening as a hobby have likely fewer chances to suffer a heart stroke and come down with an Alzheimer.
There are some plants which any newbie can grow or plant easily without any difficulty.
1. Lettuce
Lettuce is a really easy plant to grow; it grows very quickly and takes up a very small area of land for its growth. It can even be grown in a small container or underneath the shade of tall plants. Lettuce is a cool weather plant, so it has to be grown in early spring or fall. The seeds of this lettuce are available at any general store or a nursery and are very cheap. The seedlings of lettuce can actually handle a little bit of frost as it is a cool weather plant. This plant will remain intact until the temperature doesn’t drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. And by some chance, if the temperature does drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and you experience snow, you’ll just have to cover the plants with a plastic sheet, and they should be fine to go. The trick with lettuce is to grow chives and garlic in between the plants to keep the pests off. Make sure to grow lettuce in a well-drained compost soil. The best companions of lettuce are a carrot, radish and beetroot.
2. Tomatoes
Tomato is the most popular vegetable for any size garden. Tomato can be grown possibly at any place where there is a lot of sunlight. Tomatoes are one of the most sought after plant during summers, and on the top of that, they are super easy to grow. It is highly recommended that their growth be started indoors for 6 – 8 weeks before transplanting them outside. You’ll have to plant them in full sunlight and in well-drained soil, also make sure all the frost is gone before planting them. Tomatoes love the heat and hate the cold! Be sure not to plant tomatoes and peppers together side by side; bees can cross-pollinate pepper and tomato and completely ruin the taste of your tomatoes. They can be present in the same garden but need to be a few rows apart. One thing you need to know is, if you plant basil next to tomatoes it will naturally repel the pests and even improve the taste of tomatoes.
3. Spinach
Now how can we forget Popeye’s favourite food?! It is one of the best cold-weather crops a gardener could ask for. The planting of this plant should be done in spring, fall. Spinach can survive in temperature as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need well-drained soil with compost for the veggie garden where you are going to plant spinach. It could even grow in sunlight and light shade; it can be planted year-round in most of the climates as it is very weather friendly. When you plant spinach, you will need to go through and thin where you planted it a few weeks earlier and be sure to remove any area where you see clusters appear.
4. Green bean
Green bean is another one of the plants that can be easily grown, and it has an abundant harvest. There are hundreds of varieties of green beans to choose from so you’ll need to decide what you really want to grow. One of the easiest types is Bush bean. In order to grow green bean, you’ll have to grow it in well-drained soil. Add a layer of compost in it and sow the seed directly. This plant will require adequate water and sunlight. Green beans are also favourite for bugs to munch on so you’ll have to be extra careful.
5. Root vegetables: carrots and radishes
This root vegetables are pretty easy to grow. Moreover, they can be directly sown in the ground or grown in a container as per your convenience. The most important thing you’ll have to remember while planting root vegetables is that no matter what they should not be overcrowded and the soil should be well-drained with compost and must have enough loose dirt in it. Once the seedling starts growing search for clusters and if any make sure you remove it. The ideal time for harvesting these root vegetables in summer, spring and fall. It will most probably be fully grown in 2 – 3 months.
Planting your own garden can be so fulfilling. Though growing a kitchen garden may seem complicated, but these plants will give any beginners success.
