Are you fond of growing vegetables at home? How about growing tomatoes, green chillies and springs of coriander at home that you need every day for your staple meals? Turn a chunk of your garden into a kitchen garden, also known as a potager, which evolved from French traditions. Potager gardening dates back to the 15 century and is specifically used for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs. Exquisiteness combined with intricacies produce meticulous and symmetrical designs, and you can introduce that level of resplendence to your garden as well.

A kitchen garden is an attractive yet low-maintenance way to grow vegetables. It is suitable for small as well as large gardens. Depending on the space availability, you can decide what your garden should look like. Pests are a major concern linked to these gardens, although they are low-maintenance. You can minimise pests by growing a wide range of plants together in smaller quantities. Apart from this, pest control medications are available on the market.

Panning steps for kitchen garden extension

You can take help of an expert if you do not know where to start. Of course, you will need to prepare a budget. In case of a lack of money, you should take out home improvement loans in Ireland. On the other hand, it is not that difficult to take up this project and do it on your own if you already have a garden.

Choose an area dedicated to a kitchen garden that receives enough daylight and shade, depending on the plants you pick to grow. Use pots in different sizes. Strawberries and salad leaves can survive in shallow pots, while tomatoes and beans will need deep containers.

You will have to take the help of an expert when your garden is in extreme wild conditions. Here are the ideas to create a kitchen garden:

  • Plan out the design

Measure out the area you need for your Potager and then design a pattern. A symmetrical layout comes in rectangular and triangular shapes. The planting bed, however, can be at either ground level or raised. The beds must be divided by paths and they must not be too wide so you can work the bed from the paths.

Take opinions of an expert designer as well if you are looking to get the job done from them. Their ideas will be worth paying heed, but expressing your notions is a great way to ensure they match your requirements.

  • Create a central feature

Make the central part of your kitchen garden a key focal point. You can make it square or circular. Decorate your garden with a water feature. Be careful not to make it messy and untidy. A big pot for multiple plants will work to your advantage when you are planting in a small space.

 You can grow different crops in one big tub. This will help you grow a variety of vegetables without compromising on the beautiful appearance of your garden.

  • Create an entrance

Your kitchen garden is not the place where you can sit at your leisure. It must be separated from your sitting area where you grow plants just for the shade and decoration. Therefore, it is crucial to create an entrance to your Potager. The entrance will separate it from the rest of the space.

According to some experts, space limitations introduce creativity. You can place pots on a ladder, and planters can be attached to a wall. Beans and pumpkins are climbing plants, so create a shaded pathway using pergolas. This will free up more space for ground-level crops.

  • Choose crops that look good too

Avoid growing vegetables that take up too much space, especially at ground level, because otherwise, your garden will look full of weeds. Unnecessary and wild hedges will diminish the look of your kitchen garden. As pots work better to grow crops when you have a tight space, you should grow crops that look good. Lay your pots in a way that crops do not overlap. Beetroot and ruby red stems of Swiss chard are good choices to make your kitchen garden look amazing. Ripe strawberries, glossy tomatoes, and peas should be included in your crops.

If you want to prepare your garden from scratch, discuss this factor with your designer as well. At the time of creating a plan, you should know what crops you want to grow so the exquisiteness of your Potager is not compromised.

  • Try raised beds

Raised beds are a perfect choice when you do not have enough space and you want to make your garden look good. You can grow any vegetables in raised beds. Make sure that the space you have picked receives enough sunlight. Grow crops in a way that they receive an optimal level of sunrays and shade. Your kitchen garden will remain healthier.

  • Use vertical space

How about growing upwards when you have a very limited space? Not only will you be able to grow as many crops as possible, but you will also be able to enhance its appeal. Vines dangling on the wall will create a stunning view. Apples and pears are good choices for utilised vertical space.

  • Add colours

Grow a few chillies and fruits to add colour to your garden. Contrasting colours like red, green and yellow will add to the beauty of your kitchen garden. You do not need to grow a lot of chillies. Just one pot will be more than sufficient. Make sure you place it in the right spot to develop a good contrast.

The bottom line

It is not a cinch to design a potager if you have to create it from scratch. The design of your kitchen garden depends on your requirements. Some prefer a traditional look, while others prefer a bit of a casual look. Discuss your requirements with a professional. You can take out quick cash loans in Ireland to meet its cost. Check your affordability before using these loans.

Be careful about using horizontal and vertical space, and remember that potager should be close to your kitchen for easy accessibility. Grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. Focus on the organised structure of your garden too. Discuss all the things with a designer so you know what it will look like.