Suburban Kitchen Garden Planning

Image via It’s Complicated Movie

I had started building a wonderful urban kitchen garden with berries, many different types of lettuce, and a plethora of our favorite vegetables when we lived in Memphis. It was my first garden. I think about it often wondering if the new owners are using it to nourish their kitchen, or if the bamboo bean poles stand empty and a compost bin that hasn’t been fed in years with only remnants of the soil we created left behind.

I never started a garden in Nashville. I guess I had an internal knowing we wouldn’t be there long. Needless to say I’m longing to start another kitchen garden at our new house. It’s too late in the season to start the a garden for summer, so I have plenty of time to plan out my dream garden.

What is a Kitchen Garden

A kitchen garden is a small hobby garden intended for domestic use- think personal use vs. producing large quantities. The idea is to grow only what you consume or use regularly in the kitchen. Kitchen gardens are a lifestyle. They’re generally constructed with a combination of raised beds and container gardening.

It’s the perfect garden for small urban or suburban yards and patios. This post is all about planning my own kitchen garden, but if you’re looking for an in depth guide to kitchen gardens Martha Stewart has a great guide on her website. Read It Here

The Theme

I feel the need to give this garden a theme. It’s a little ridiculous, but I don’t care- let me live my life. We put so much thought into designing our homes so why not give the same energy to the garden. That’s my thought process with this ridiculous craving for a garden theme.

I have a vision of this enchanting rustic New England feel- very 1990’s Martha Stewart. Maybe I’m watching too much of the Martha Stewart channel while Mayne is napping, but it just feels right.

Design Ideas

My previous garden wasn’t planned great. It was more so an experimental garden to see how far I could go with it, and how dedicated I’d be to the upkeep. I have big plans for this new garden.

Bringing In Pollinators

I really want to focus on bringing in pollinators since we’re in a suburban area. Manicured cookie cutter lawns aren’t really bringing in the bees and butterflies. So, to encourage them I’m planting vining flowers to cover the garden fence- probably white jasmine. Placing slender raised flower beds in between produce beds will not only bring in pollinators, but also act as a cut flower garden. I’m thinking zinnias, cosmos, echinacea, susans, and maybe delilahs.

Focusing On Sustainability

There’s going to be a big focus on using sustainable materials- raised beds constructed of wood, bean poles constructed of bamboo, potted plants in terracotta clay pots, and wooden tomato cages like this DIY.

Image Via OneKinDesign

What I’m Planting

The goal of a kitchen garden is to grow what you eat. I’m planning on growing our favorite fruits and veggies that can rationally thrive in our growing zone. We’re lucky to live in a 9a growing zone where many fruits and veggies will thrive. So, here’s what I’m thinking.

Fruits

• Citrus: Lemons, Limes, Satsumas

• Peaches

• Figs

• Berries: Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries

• Tomatoes: Roma, Heirloom, Cherry

• Watermelon

Veggies

• Shallots

• Bell Peppers (Red & Green)

• Purple Hull Peas

• Haricots Verts

• Sweet Potatoes

• Red Potatoes

• Zuccini

• Yellow Squash

• Carrots

• Lettuce (many varieties)

• Cucumbers

• Garlic

*Plus all the herbs I can get my hands on!

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