This past weekend was big in our area for planting. Today I'm happy to share with you what we did to create our new kitchen garden. Connecting with nature does wonders for the state of mind for many of us. Spending time in a beautiful garden is definitely has that affect on my husband and I. A kitchen garden is not only good for the soul and psyche but it also nourishes the body so it is a bit of a no-brainer for us.
When we moved to our new home last year we had to leave our potager garden behind. Sounds fancy doesn't it? Essentially it is a very traditional French style Kitchen garden that makes the most out of space by planting vegetables intermingled with flowers, herbs, and fruits. Not only is this practical but it is also atheistically pleasing and the practice of planting certain flowers and herbs near crops can be great pest deterrents, a massive bonus for those looking to garden organically.
I first came across the Poteger style of gardening in 2010 and since then I have seen an influx in potager style home gardens but also just raised bed gardens in general.
Below is a photo of our garden at the old house.
When we moved to our new home last year we had to leave our potager garden behind. Sounds fancy doesn't it? Essentially it is a very traditional French style Kitchen garden that makes the most out of space by planting vegetables intermingled with flowers, herbs, and fruits. Not only is this practical but it is also atheistically pleasing and the practice of planting certain flowers and herbs near crops can be great pest deterrents, a massive bonus for those looking to garden organically.
I first came across the Poteger style of gardening in 2010 and since then I have seen an influx in potager style home gardens but also just raised bed gardens in general.
Below is a photo of our garden at the old house.
Lately I have been focusing on growth in all it's forms. The literal growth of the natural world as spring is unfolding to reveal the beauty of new life. The construction and planting of our new kitchen garden. The most bittersweet type of growth, the constant growth of my little daughters. I marvel everyday at milestones they conquer and feel so fortunate to watch them develop their little personalities, all wishing I could freeze moments in time. Then there is my personal growth, riding the waves of life and attempting to come out strong after each dip. It's so easy to have the impression that growth is linear and then feel like a failure when you stumble but I think we need to cut ourselves some slack.
Life is in many ways, like my kitchen garden there will be some struggles, some things will go better then others, and and you can't control the weather. You just have to make do with what happens, learn from mistakes, and try again.
I remember one year at our last house we planted a bunch of different lettuces. I was so excited. The spring suddenly turned to summer and those lettuces bolted, making them entirely inedible. It felt like such a waste of time and was a bitter disappointment. But we learned to try planting some earlier and do succession planting to avoid this on the future and to harvest some early just in case the summer came early again.
I remember one year at our last house we planted a bunch of different lettuces. I was so excited. The spring suddenly turned to summer and those lettuces bolted, making them entirely inedible. It felt like such a waste of time and was a bitter disappointment. But we learned to try planting some earlier and do succession planting to avoid this on the future and to harvest some early just in case the summer came early again.
Now without further ado, here's what we did in our new garden. We wanted to keep things as organically as we could. Now when I say "we" I am mostly just the helper, the credit really lies with my husband who was the mastermind behind the whole project.
Step 1: We ordered our seeds
We decided to go with West coast seeds based out of British Columbia who have been providing organic seeds since 1983.
https://www.westcoastseeds.com/
Step 1: We ordered our seeds
We decided to go with West coast seeds based out of British Columbia who have been providing organic seeds since 1983.
https://www.westcoastseeds.com/
Step 2: We stained the wood for the beds
We used Eco Wood treatment from Home Depot. We have not used it before so this is a bit of an experiment. It is supposed to help the wood last longer without leaching harmful chemicals into the soil.
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.eco-wood-treatment.1000700316.html
We used Eco Wood treatment from Home Depot. We have not used it before so this is a bit of an experiment. It is supposed to help the wood last longer without leaching harmful chemicals into the soil.
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.eco-wood-treatment.1000700316.html
Step 3: We built the beds
Step 4: We decide to try cardboard to help prevent weeds
Step 5: Then goes in some mulch
We got this free from our local community yard where the city mulches up trees that they've cut down. Check with your city to see if this option is available as this will save on costs. It doesn't need to be pretty as it will be covered up.
We got this free from our local community yard where the city mulches up trees that they've cut down. Check with your city to see if this option is available as this will save on costs. It doesn't need to be pretty as it will be covered up.
Step 6: Next we added some straw for bulk
We got this from a friend who didn't have a use for it and it saved us from having to fill the bed completely with purchased soil.
We got this from a friend who didn't have a use for it and it saved us from having to fill the bed completely with purchased soil.
Step 7 Now for some basic dirt followed by some enriched soil
Step 8: Finally Planting!
We planted our seeds of course as well as some pre-started plants (peppers, tomatoes, and Brussels sprouts). These plants were just from a couple local nurseries so they are not organic but we honestly just didn't have time to start our own this year. We decided to try an experiment with some non-GMO heirloom varieties vs. some hybrids to see the difference in yield and flavor.
We planted our seeds of course as well as some pre-started plants (peppers, tomatoes, and Brussels sprouts). These plants were just from a couple local nurseries so they are not organic but we honestly just didn't have time to start our own this year. We decided to try an experiment with some non-GMO heirloom varieties vs. some hybrids to see the difference in yield and flavor.
Step 9: Trellises for Climbers
Beans, Cucumbers & Peas are going to be very happy here!
Beans, Cucumbers & Peas are going to be very happy here!
Step 10: Marigolds, glorious Marigolds
Not everyone will agree that marigolds help deter pests but whenever I have researched the topic of pest control this pungent little flower always comes up on the top of the list so were are going with it. One of the highlights is that it is supposed to keep rabbits at bay, our fingers are crossed since we have seen a couple around the yard and we have had years in the past of loosing our entire pea crop due to hungry little bunnies.
Not everyone will agree that marigolds help deter pests but whenever I have researched the topic of pest control this pungent little flower always comes up on the top of the list so were are going with it. One of the highlights is that it is supposed to keep rabbits at bay, our fingers are crossed since we have seen a couple around the yard and we have had years in the past of loosing our entire pea crop due to hungry little bunnies.