Until recently I had never heard of a potager kitchen garden. Now I can’t wait to start one.
A potager kitchen garden gives you easy access to fresh herbs and vegetables. The gardens are planted in a way that is aesthetically pleasing as shown in this infographic. It also offers some interesting ideas on how to design your potager kitchen garden.
Potager gardens originated in the French Renaissance when gardens were formally laid out with pathways between the beds. The pathways were usually made from pebbles or grass. Combining this idea with the utility of a vegetable or herb garden makes perfect sense and ensures that you can easily reach your produce from the path.
There are some basics that you must consider before you lay your garden out.
Your kitchen garden should be as close to your kitchen as possible. Most vegetables need between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight every day. Make sure that you make good use of the garden edges as they are easier to access. When choosing seeds or seedlings go for crops that are best eaten fresh rather than preserved. Look for plants that don’t require large amounts of space. Ranging plants like pumpkin and squash take plenty of space for little reward. Plant seasonal vegetables for the best results.
Herbs, tomatoes, and peppers are all good choices. Plant leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and kale in relays a few days apart so that you can continue to reap as they ripen. Onions, carrots, and shallots also make good crops and for a bit of color, don’t forget the edible flowers like nasturtiums.