Rediscovering the Kitchen Garden
Food security is in the news again, more specifically the cost and availability of one of our most basic needs.
A recent grocery shopping trip with my grown daughter before heading back to her apartment was an eye-opening experience for us both. I loved watching her plan her meals for the next week and figure out what ingredients she needed. While we were at the store, she (quite loudly) exclaimed surprise at the cost of many of the items. It attracted the attention of others around us who nodded their heads in solidarity and smiled. Definitely something we have all experienced lately!
Time to bring back the KITCHEN GARDEN which has the most important function of producing fresh food for our table. “A kitchen garden is a garden or part of a garden, in which vegetables, herbs and fruit are grown. Kitchen gardens are a growing trend.” as outlined by Collins Dictionary
However, kitchen gardening does more than that. One thing that people discovered during the Covid lockdowns is that gardening, and being outside, is good for our mental health. Many turned to growing vegetables and plants to relieve anxiety during a stressful time in their lives.
Our outdoor spaces need to fill so many needs: playgrounds, sports fields, attractive spaces and often just a quiet oasis. Kitchen gardens are often smaller spaces compared to a full vegetable garden. These smaller productive spaces are often organized in raised beds, closer to the home with easy access from the kitchen. This makes maintenance easier as the harvest is done regularly; from salad greens at lunch to fresh herbs the evening’s stirfry.
Your kitchen garden can be as small as you want and only include the foods your family will eat. A collection of potted herbs or a few tomatoes and peppers can be grown on your balcony if you are short on space or if you are renting.
Five Additional Benefits of Kitchen Gardens:
- Access to fresh, nutritious produce with the knowledge that you grew this without pesticides and preservatives
- The cost savings are greatly appreciated by reducing the purchase of certain herbs, fruits and vegetables
- The taste is amazing! Homegrown produce can taste so much better than store-bought veggies as your food was harvested at its peak and travelled only a few feet.
- Growing your own food provides valuable learning experiences for all ages teaching skills about soil science, plant biology and the importance of a sustainable lifestyle. Some special varieties are not found in stores but can be grown in the garden.
- Kitchen gardens provide a measure of food security, especially during times of economic uncertainty. You can rely on your garden to supplement your diet with fresh produce.
Are you looking to join the kitchen garden movement? The goal of these gardens is to produce enough to replace some of your groceries, rather than support your family exclusively. Your harvest will make cooking your meals more fun, and give you a spot in the backyard to spend some quality time, while also helping your grocery budget.
It’s spring and a wonderful time to start planning, building and planting your very own Kitchen Garden. If you have any questions about how to get started, please contact me at info@trilliumart.ca or visit our Growing Edible Gardens page.
