The main reason we garden is to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor in the kitchen! Since the beginning of agriculture, families have reserved a piece of land specifically for growing food for their own family. These kitchen gardens, have always been close to where the food is prepared, and the produce and herbs have been gathered at their peak of freshness to be eaten immediately or canned and preserved for the winter.
The Tasteful Garden carries on this tradition by providing a way for even the smallest kitchen garden to grow fresh produce. Plants can be grown in containers, 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.
Water-soluble fertilizers, such as Miracle Gro, were originally developed for growing in greenhouses. We do not recommend them for use in your garden as they can wash away and pollutes ground water. They can also create salt buildup in your garden soil which keeps the plants from getting the nutrients they need. Using natural fertilizers, such as worm castings, leaves, and compost creates a living soil with good bacteria, micro-organisms, and insects that work to break down organic material into nutrients for your plants. Many good organic fertilizers are available and should always be used in place of water soluble types.
Organic (or "natural") gardening can be done in your own backyard. When you plant your garden in good, nutritious soil, you get healthy, happy plants,that can ward off 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. Natural ways of treating pest problems cause less stress to your plants and make a healthier garden.
Good soil is the key to a happy, healthy garden. Compost and leaves can make a difference in the flavor and health of your plants and even the amount of fruit harvested from your garden. Using your own garden soil and amending it with manures and compost, and then mulching well, will give you years of good results.
Our plants are grown in our mix of potting soil and 25% worm castings, which we have found to be the best form of fertilizer for our herbs and vegetables. We call our special mix "Magic Soil", and it is available in our Catalog. Worm castings make some of the richest, natural fertilizer known to humans. As little as a tablespoon of pure worm castings provides enough organic plant nutrients to feed a 6" potted plant for more than two months. Worm castings also stimulate plant growth more than any other natural product on the market (... click here to read more).