HOW TO START

KITCHEN
GARDEN
There are many herbs and vegetables that can be easily grown in small and large-sized pots to add a
little variety to your small garden. A list of such plants that you can easily make a part of your organic
farming. MINT CORRIANDER TOMATOES
•Planting Herbs Uses: Mint is one of the most Uses: It is used as a condiment. It is used in Uses: The Indian curries are incomplete
A good idea is to start your garden with plants if you are new to home gardening. Herbs are easiest to refreshing and versatile herbs. It can both raw and dried forms to enhance the without tomatoes. Not only this fruit-cum-
grow and are capable of doing well anywhere. The exception is if the area does not receive enough be used in the preparation of different flavor of culinary dishes. The medicinal vegetable is an important ingredient used
hours of sunlight per day. Another limiting factor is the growing conditions and characteristics of the foods; be it salad, fish or in drinks. It properties of coriander are that they help in the gastronomic activities, it also has
herbs. also offers medicinal benefits as is cure skin inflammations, skin disorders, many medicinal qualities. These are very
•Planting Vegetables useful in curing allergies, common cold blood pressure, diarrhea among others. helpful in curing various types of cancers,
A wide variety of vegetables can grow well in balcony gardens. In fact, you can grow almost any and stomach ailments. Planting and Care: It can be propagated and is good for skin and hypertension.
edible vegetables if conditions are suitable. Bigger plants such as tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, Planting and Care: The best way to from the seeds which are easily available in Planting and Care: To grow tomatoes,
eggplant will do well in bigger pots or containers. Other fruit vegetables such as beans, okras, plant it is to cut a sprig from an the market. The other way is to break the choose a spot that gets ample sunlight.
peppers also need larger pots measuring 30 to 40cm in depth. existing mint plant or a mint seed and seeds into two parts and then sow them. Take a few tomato seeds (you can scoop
If your balcony is situated in an area that receives only 4-6 hours of sunlight on a good day, then you sow it in a pot preferably 12-16 inches Prefer to plant it in a tray rather than a pot them from a tomato) and put them in
should grow low sun vegetables. Examples in this category are celery, spinach, lettuce, parsley, mint, wide. Spring is the ideal time for them as the tray will give a more sowing area. paper cups. Fill the cups with soil and let
green onions, bulb onions, peas, ginger, Asian greens, radishes, and carrots. to grow. Mint requires adequate The container should be placed in direct the plant germinate. After the tomato plant
In case your balcony receives more than 6 hours of sunlight most of the days, then you can sunlight and more water. The damp sunlight. It is better to use a sprayer to grows, replant it in a bigger pot. The
confidently plant the sunny vegetables. Examples of sun-loving vegetables include basil, sage, dill, soil is necessary for mint to grow and water the young seedlings as they may tomato plants need to be watered every
thyme, tomatoes, chives, eggplant, chilies and peppers, cucumber, okra, gourds, and melons. flourish. drown when the water is directly poured. day; sometimes twice.
• Growing Fruit Trees
Certain fruit trees can also do well in balcony kitchen gardens. You could be asking yourself how this
is possible given you have to use containers. Well, such fruit trees have extensive root systems that
spread shallowly beneath the soil surface
The fruit trees that should come to your mind are strawberries, lemon tree, pomegranate, apple and
watermelon among others.

CHILIES LEMON BEANS

Uses: Chilies are a good source of
Vitamin A, B and E and an excellent
source of Vitamin C. They also act as a
detoxifier to cleanse the body.
Planting and Care: Take 2 to 3 chilies, slit
them and spread the seeds in a pot.
Seeds will require at least a week to
germinate into plants. It need a decent
amount of sunlight, keep the plant in a
well-lit place. It should be watered 2 to 3
https://balconygardenweb.com/how-to-start-a-balcony-kitchen-garden/ times a week to keep the soil damp
Uses: Rich in Vitamin C, calcium and
potassium, lemons are a great source to
improve immunity. Apart from having
antibacterial properties, they also help in
curing skin ailments and complexion.
Planting and Care: Take a lemon tree that is
two to three years old and plant it in another
pot or container. It needs least 8-12 hours of
sunlight every day, water the tree
immediately and water it almost every day.
Container with adequate drainage holes. https://cutleryadvisor.com/start-a-balcony-garden/
•Seeds: buy the seeds. Sow the seeds
directly in pots a few inches apart.
•How many to grow: The plant grows
into a vine so train them on the grill or
a tall pole. You will need at least seven
pots to grow seven plants to feed a
family of three. If you grow just one
plant, the harvest will not be enough.
 THE BEST POSITION FOR A KITCHEN GARDEN
To achieve the best results when growing fruit and vegetables you
need:
•An open, sunny spot - preferably one that gets the morning sun, and
around six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. To grow quickly and
well, vegetables need as much light as possible, so track the sun
throughout the day to see where shadows fall. If you don’t have these
K conditions, there are some crops that tolerate shade, such as cherries,
blackberries, raspberries, rhubarb and blackcurrants.
I •Wind protection is important. A permeable barrier, such as a picket
fence, hedge or windbreak can filter its effect.
T •Soil enriched with compost.
C KITCHEN GARDEN SITE SELECTION
H 1.There will be limited choice for the selection of sites for kitchen
gardens and the final choice is usually the backyard of the house.
E 2.This is convenient as the members of the family can give a constant
care to the vegetables during leisure and the wastewater from the
N bathrooms and kitchen can easily be diverted to the vegetable beds.
3.The size of a kitchen garden depends upon the availability of land and
number of persons for whom vegetables are to be provided.
4.There is no restriction in the shape of the kitchen garden but
G wherever possible rectangular garden is preferred to a square one.
5.With succession cropping and intercropping, five cents of land would
A be adequate to supply vegetables for an average family of four to five
persons
R nursery and transplanted along one side of the ridges at spacing of 30-45 cm
WHAT SHOULD YOU GROW ?
D Grow what you love to eat, and as much as you need. Make a list of
your favorite edibles, including herbs, and consider those that are more
E expensive to buy. Include different varieties of vegetables you enjoy,
then look carefully at your space and growing conditions and narrow
N your selection.
Aim for a succession of crops throughout the seasons, with small,
successive plantings every couple of weeks for a year-long harvest.
It is worth tracking down organically grown seeds and plants.
Conventionally grown plants are already often loaded with pesticides
and chemical fertilizers
PREPARING SOIL FOR A KITCHEN GARDEN
To get the best homegrown crops from your kitchen garden you need to
make sure your soil is up to scratch. It's useful to test the pH levels of the soil
in your vegetable garden to help you select crops to suit it. Soil testing kits
don't cost much and are readily available online. Soils are generally on a
spectrum from clay to sand and can vary from place to place within your
garden. All soils will benefit from the addition of organic matter to retain
moisture and nutrients.
Clay soil needs breaking up and takes longer to warm up so suits later crops.
Light soils are good for early vegetables but need large quantities of manure
and compost to avoid water draining away too rapidly. The ideal soil is loose,
crumbly loam, which absorbs and holds water and nutrients, is well aerated
and drains freely
SOWING AND PLANTING
The main objective of a kitchen garden is the maximum output and a
continuous supply of vegetables for the table throughout the year. By
following certain procedures, this objective can easily be achieved.
1.Direct sown crops like bhendi, cluster beans and cowpea can be sown on
one side of the ridges at a spacing of 30 cm. Amaranthus (meant for whole
plant pull out and clipping) can be sown after mixing 1 part of seeds with 20
parts of fine sand by broadcasting in the plots. Small onion, mint and
coriander can be planted/sown along the bunds of plots.
2.Seeds of transplanted crops like tomato, brinjal and chili can be sown in
nursery beds or pots one month in advance by drawing lines. After sowing
and covering with top soil and then dusting with 250 grams neem cake so as
to save the seeds from ants. About 30 days after sowing for tomato and 40-
45 days for brinjal and chili and big onion the seedlings are removed from
for tomato, brinjal and chili and 10 cm on both the sides of the ridges for big
onion. The plants should be irrigated immediately after planting and again on
3rd day. The seedlings can be watered once in two days in the earlier stages
and then once in 4 days later.
3.The perennial plants should be located on one side of the garden, usually
on the rear end of the garden so that they may not shade other crops,
compete for nutrition with the other vegetable crops.
4.Adjacent to the foot path all around the garden and the central foot path
may be utilized for growing different short duration green vegetables like
Coriander, spinach, fenugreek, Alternanthera, Mint etc.

https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/farm-based-
enterprises/kitchen-garden

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arden%20plants%20%201,in%20the%20open.%20Fo
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 KITCHEN GARDEN FOR APARTMENTS
LOCATION FOR A KITCHEN GARDEN
If you are planning for a small kitchen garden or a miniature one,
balcony or terrace area is also suitable. You can also place these
plants on window 55sill, if it gets direct sunlight. Remember,
wherever you place, the plants require ample sunlight for growth.
SELECTING CONTAINERS
You need to consider two factors while selecting right containers
i.e. Vegetable you decide to grow and space available. For e.g.
plants like curry leaf or chilly will require pots between 6 to 10
inches in size of pots. For vegetables like cucumbers and capsicum
will require 4 to 8 liter pot per plant. Brinjals and tomatoes will
need larger pots of at least 20 liters capacity
TYPE OF CONTAINERS
Window boxes are ideal for flats with many windows as they look
fairly attractive and are convenient.-Stone pots or terra cotta
pots unlike plastic pots allow plants to breathe freely but are
difficult to shift and they dry fast.-Wooden containers save plants
from heat but plants have a tendency to become rancid.-Place
plastic saucers under the pot as they avoid water and soil
spillage.-You can also use old buckets and can use wire baskets
for hanging smaller plants.-Try and avoid using containers with
small opening.-Make drain holes in all the pots.
SOIL
Planting medium should be light weight, disease free and should
have capacity to hold moisture. It should have vital nutrients and
should be drainage friendly. Organic manure or compost can be a
wonderful growing medium. You can add decomposable kitchen
waste to it. The combination of earthy garden soil, sand and peat
moss also makes a good growing mixture.
https://balconygardenweb.com/tips-for-starting-a-kitchen-garden/
http://www.bharatestates.com/blog/tips-on-kitchen-garden-in-
apartments/
START TO GROW VEGETABLES IN RAISED BEDS
Growing vegetables in raised beds have many benefits, not only they improve the productivity of the vegetable garden but also
makes the planning and planting easier. Like if you have the problem of poor soil you can fill up the beds with quality topsoil.
Raised can also save you from back strain as you don’t have to bend over again and again to harvest the crops
LACKING SPACE? GO VERTICAL
Opt for vertical gardening ideas and you’ll be able to double up the growing space. Not only the simple pots, on your
balcony–install railing planters, wall planters, add some stacked planters, and hang a few hanging baskets to create space.
Grow more greens, tomatoes, and climbing vegetables that grow vertically.
EDGE PLANTING
It basically involves growing support crops or companion plants on the garden bed and along the edges. The reason why these
plants are so important is that they benefit the garden by offering mulch, protection from weeds, warding off pests and acting as
windbreaks.
A Few Crops for Edge Planting
Plants like basil, tansy, marigold, wormwood, nettles, lemongrass, comfrey can be used for this.
INTERPLANTING
Interplanting compatible plants save space, repels regular pests and even makes your venture more productive in general.
Here are some examples of compatible combinations you can try:
Corns, beans, and squash
This classic three sister combo works because all three crops require the same sort of weather conditions. Robust cornstalks
support beans, while squash grows on the ground, thereby outcompeting those pesky weeds.
Tomatoes, Basil & Marigold
Marigolds are routinely planted among tomatoes to repel insects and nematodes. Basil, rosemary, sage, and parsley make worthy
companions as well. Remember, while tomatoes and potatoes are part of the same family, they do better when planted
separately.
Basil, Chives & Pepper
Growing pepper alongside basil and chives is a great way to enhance the fiery flavors of pepper, as well as suppress weeds.
Eggplant, Beans, Thyme & Spinach
Eggplant has a nitrogen requirement, which can be met by planting legumes in the same planting bed. Thyme helps to ward off
insects, while spinach keeps the weeds in check while it prospers in the shade of eggplants as it prefers moist space that receives
partial sun.

15 Herbs To Grow At Your Kitchen Garden
HOLY BASIL
Holy basil or tulsi is native to the Indian subcontinent,
cultivated for religious and traditional medicine purposes.
Tulsi is the most popular herb that commonly used in
Ayurveda
MENTHA
Mentha leaves or mint are used as a medicinal herb to treat
stomach ache. Mint leaves along with basil, rosemary, sage,
oregano, and catnip are most popular common cooking herbs
in India.
CURRY LEAVES
Curry leaves from curry tree or sweet neem leaves are native
to India and used in many dishes mostly in curries. The leaves
are known to have anti-diabetic properties and help in losing
weight
FENUGREEK
Fenugreek plant cultivated for seeds and leaves which are
common ingredients in dishes of India. The seeds are soak
with water thought to promote digestion, reduce blood sugar
levels and help in diabetics.
FENNEL
Fennels are highly aromatic and flavorful herb also used as a
vegetable in many parts of the world. Seeds of the fennel
plants are one of the most important spices in Kashmiri Pandit
culinary cultures in India.
MUSTARD
Mustard plants are good source of many vitamins and
minerals, The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents are
helps lower cholesterol and detoxifying the body.
AJWAIN
Ajwain or carom plant originated in India and consumed by
humans in culinary cultures. The leaves and dried seeds are
used in traditional Ayurveda for indigestion and loss of
appetite.
GREEN GARLIC
Garlic used as a traditional medicine in Ayurveda to lower
cholesterol levels and to regulate blood pressure. The magical
herb contains medicinal properties and reduces hypertension.
KITCHEN GARDEN FOR VILLA
GREEN GARLIC
Garlic used as a traditional medicine in Ayurveda to lower
cholesterol levels and to regulate blood pressure. The magical herb
contains medicinal properties and reduces hypertension.
GINGER PLANT
Ginger used as a spice and best home remedy to treat common cold
and cough. The hot fragrant kitchen spice is a key ingredient in India
especially meat-based dishes and traditional Indian drinks.
TURMERIC PLANT
Turmeric is native to the Indian subcontinent and the dried roots are
used in cooking as well as used in Ayurvedic medicine. Turmeric
powder used in Indian traditional medicine and contains list of
powerful properties and incredible health benefits.
DILL HERB
Dill delicate herbs are used as spice for flavoring foods in India and
widely grown in Eurasia. In India, dill is known as shepu or savaa and
traditional dishes made with potatoes and fresh fenugreek leaves are
very good antigas properties.
CHAANGERI
Indian Changeri (Oxalis corniculata) taste of lemons and the entire
plant is rich in vitamin C. Medicinal Uses of Oxalis includes treatment
of influenza, fever and various other common injuries.
GILOY
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is also known as Ayurvedic root of
immortality or Amrita in Sanskrit. The roots are used in Ayurvedic
medicine and one of the most divine herbs in India.
ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera gel used in cosmetics and one of the best home remedies
for burns and sunburns. The species also has list of agricultural and
medicinal uses, widely grown as an ornamental plant
1: BEETS
This kind of variety grows well in small spaces – however, if you want best results try to grow “Red
Ace” type. You need to have a pot, which has at least 12 inches depth so that beets can grow freely.
Within such a space, you can grow up to six different plants. If you want to have more, opt the baby
beets.
2: BEANS
There are two best types of bush varieties including “derby” and “provider” – for growing these you
need a pot that has about 12 inches depth. It is important to check the root depth of vegetables for
better growth. If you want to grow long poles within a box, you would have to attach trellis along with
the pot.
3: CARROTS
Are you interested in growing carrots in containers? If yes, then you must start growing the varieties
like:
If you actively water the pot, you are more likely to get a healthier plant. In case you wish to have
longer plants, make sure you choose deeper pots.
4: COLE CROPS
Cole crops include cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage; these are the easiest vegetables to grow in
containers. However, you should not plant a lot of types in a single pot otherwise, they will not be
able to grow.
5: CUCUMBER
If you are interested in growing cucumber in containers, then always go for “Salad Bush” or “Bush
Pickle” varieties. You must consider the plants coming out of the edges of the pot.
6: EGGPLANT
Any pot which has the capacity to hold up to 5 inches depth can be used for growing eggplant.
However, without stake you would not be able to hold the plant in the pot, so be careful.
7: LETTUCE AND OTHER GREENS
If you are looking for the best container vegetables, then your choice would be lush greens and
lettuce. In this case, the size of the pot does not come into a count. Take some fertile soil, add the
required seeds and keep the soil moist so that you can get lovely salads from the home garden.
8: MELONS
Have you heard about dwarf melon “Bush Sugar Baby” melons? These are tiny watermelon types,
which are perfect to grow in small pots. In a deep pot, it would continue to grow and leave the edges
with spirals. These would provide the fruit with the necessary support, so pay special attention to it.
9: ONIONS
Particularly green onions are known to grow well in containers. You require a bag of the set and a pot,
which is about 4 to 5 inches deep. Within this size, you can freely grow an onion until it is a bulb size.

There are six major types of hydroponics systems
•Wick Systems
•Deep Water Culture
•Drip Systems
•Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
•Nutrient Film Technique
•Aeroponics
What Are The Best Hydroponics Systems For Home Use?
The wick system is particularly simple and easy to use. In
addition, it doesn’t require excessive spending. There are
no pumps, timers, or aerators to worry about. Aside from
wick systems, ebb and flow systems are also common
among home growers.
WICK SYSTEM
It’s often regarded as a “passive” system since it doesn’t
require water or air pumps to work.
In this arrangement, water and nutrients move from a
reservoir to a plant’s roots via a wick. The plants are
suspended in growing media and held in place over a
reservoir of nutrient-rich solution. One end of the wick is
placed in the growing medium and the other end drops
into the nutrient solution. The wick is usually made from
absorbent rope or fiber and quickly soaks up the
nutrients while delivering it steadily to the plant roots.
https://smartgardenguide.com/types-of-hydroponics-systems/
HYDROPONICS SYSTEMS
DWC
Deep water culture (DWC) is another simple
hydroponics system.
Deep water culture systems are simple and easily
to build: The plants themselves are held in net pots
with some growing media and placed in a way that
the roots dangle into a container holding nutrient
solution and water.
This way, the roots get a steady supply of
nourishment. Air pumps and air stones (like in
aquariums) are then used to oxygenate the water
by pumping bubbles into the solution. Oxygenation
is crucially important to prevent the roots from
becoming saturated and drowning in the solution.
EBB AND FLOW
Ebb and flow hydroponics systems, also known as
flood and drain systems.
In this method they are placed in a tray containing
growing medium. Just as the name suggests, the
plants are “flooded” with nutrients from a reservoir
then the solution is “drained” by gravity back into
the same reservoir. The drained liquid is
oxygenated for reuse while in the reservoir using an
air stone supplied by an air pump.
Flooding is controlled by a timer and a water pump
and the tray is flooded this way several times a day
depending on the size and type of crop, and other
factors.
BEST PLANTS FOR HYDROPONICS SYSTEMS
The good news is, there are lots of options to
choose from for your garden. Some of the top
favorites that are highly recommended for home
gardeners and first-time hydroponics growers
include vegetables like lettuce, kale, spinach,
peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Herbs
like basil, mint, sage and chives are also excellent
for your small home-based hydroponic systems.
Fruit can do well too with hydroponics systems,
but some of them require quite a bit of space to
thrive, especially strawberries and watermelon.
Strawberries, in particular, need a lot of care and
attention to do well.
If you are space constrained, avoid vines and
climbing plants as they won’t do well in confined
spaces.
If you have a sunny south facing window, consider
taking advantage of the light by creating a hanging
hydroponic window garden. The result is not only
aesthetically stunning, but also a great way to
upcycling any plastic bottles you may have
languishing in your recycling bin. YouTube user
GrowAce shows you how to build a window
hydroponic garden using simple tools from the
hardware store in this clear, comprehensive and
charming tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igWJ_8uq_y4
&feature=emb_title
10 Best Hydroponic Systems for 2020: Get Started
with Indoor Gardening
https://www.hobbyjump.com/best-hydroponic-systems/
https://gardenculturemagazine.com/hydroponics-small-apartments/
• Hydroponic growing systems are your answer to
growing food in tight spaces. When you grow food
hydroponically the food grows up to 25 to 30 percent
faster, because the plants do not have to spend valuable
energy growing roots to find food.
• The plants are suspended in a nutrient rich solution, which
also saves you the hassle of dealing with messy soils and
insects that are attracted to the soil. This nutrient rich
solution contains essentials such as potassium, zinc,
magnesium, borine, copper, etc.
• If you live in a small space you will need to allocate at least
a 5.4 ft2 (0.5 m2) space in your apartment, or on your
balcony. You can reduce this space even more by building
vertical, with a two by two feet space on the floor, and
another two by two foot space on the wall above the floor
units. When you do it this way, you will have 16 separate
units that you can use to grow different plants, the same
plant in all of them, or do half and half.
• A drip system is one of the easiest hydroponic systems
to use. There isn’t a lot of setup, and the maintenance is
not time intensive. The system incorporates a reservoir of
nutrient rich solution that gets pumped directly to the
roots in the individual units. Usually the drip timing needed
will be for 15 minutes every couple of hours. The plants
are very sensitive to this, so you must keep a schedule for
watering.
• This is why a pumping system with a timer is a very handy
thing to have, because otherwise this can become a full
time job. This pump and reservoir system recycles its own
water, so you only have to change the solution every couple
of weeks. Don’t toss it. Use it to water for your other house
plants.
10: PEAS:
You can plant up to six plants within a 12-inch deep pot of the
following baby pea variety:
•Green Arrow
•Maestro
•English peas
•Sugar Bon’ snap pea

11: PEPPERS
It is an ideal rule to have a big pot so that peppers grow better. You
have the liberty to grow any kind of pepper within the container.

12: POTATOES
It is always fun to grow potatoes, and especially fun growing potatoes
in a container. You need a pot, which has up to 12 inches and plants 3
to 4 potato es in the pot. Keep on giving it enough water so that the
plant starts to produce; make sure all the stems are fully covered with
soil. Within a few months, you can get early potatoes and later you
can take out the larger ones.

13: RADISHES
Radishes can be grown quickly and easily even if you have the
smallest container. All you have to scatter are some seeds in the pot
(top-level) and keep the soil moist diligently.

14: SQUASH
Use a 5 to 7-inch deep pot so that you can grow lovely winter squash
varieties – these may include:
•Cornell Bush Delicata
•Papaya Pear
•Table King’

15: TOMATOES
It is your right to have juicy and fresh tomatoes; you can certainly
grow them in pots. However, you must try first a dwarf variety like
‘Bush Big Boy’ in a 5-inch deep container. The popular dwarf varieties
are;
•Cherry tomato
•Plum Yellow
•Window Box Roma
All these varieties fit perfectly in smaller size containers and pots.
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