The main reason we garden is to be able
to enjoy the fruits of our labor in the kitchen! Since the beginning of
agriculture there has been a separate growing area in every household for
growing food specifically for eating by the family. This kitchen garden, or "Potager"
in France, was always close to the kitchen and foods were gathered at their peak
of freshness for dinner that day or to be canned and preserved for the winter.
The Tasteful Garden carries on this tradition by providing a way for even the
smallest kitchen garden to provide fresh produce. Plants can be grown in
containers or in raised beds or in large garden plots, whichever suits your
conditions best. Read more below to help you get started with your own kitchen
garden.
A note about how we grow:
Some chemical fertilizers, such as Miracle
gro, were originally developed for growing in greenhouse conditions and we do
not recommend them for use in the garden. These fertilizers wash away into
ground water and streams and can also create salt buildup in your garden soil
which keeps the plants from getting the nutrients they need. We feel strongly
about using natural fertilizers such as worm castings, leaves, and compost which
create a living soil with bacteria, micro-organisms and insects that constantly
work to break down organic material into nutrients for your plants. Many good
commercial organic fertilizers are available now and should always be used in
place of water soluble types.
Organic or natural gardening is done in the
backyard by understanding that a healthy, happy plant, in good nutritious soil
helps prevent most diseases and harmful insect damage. It is not necessary to
kill every insect in the garden, as many pesticides do, but it is important to
keep your garden mulched, watered, weeded and clean of debris to prevent
problems. Click on the topics below for more helpful information.
