The site selected for the kitchen garden in most cases is the backyard of the house. The size of the garden depends on the land availability and the family size. It is preferable to have a rectangular lay out for the garden. Following are the principles involved in the lay out of the kitchen garden.
a. The perennial plants should be located at the rear end of the garden so that the perennial plants can be grown effectively and also its shade does not affect the growth of other crops. Crops like moringa, lime, banana, etc. can be grown in this area.
b. Live fences can be created with creepers like bitter gourd, etc.
c. Manure pits are dug at the corners of the garden.
d. The entire garden is divided into two halves and main path, side path and irrigation channels are formed with minimum use of land resources.
e. Beds of equal size and rectangular shape are formed. About 6-8 beds may be formed. Ridges separating the beds may be grown with onion, radish or turnip for maximum utilization of the land.
The vegetable crops can be grown on different beds or plots depending upon the geographical location, climate and choice of the family members. Crops like brinjal, chillies, tomato, raddish, carrot, beet root, onions, etc can be grown on rotation in the kitchen garden.
Advantages of kitchen garden:
1. Kitchen garden helps to grow selected vegetables in fresh form.
2. Vegetable grown in the kitchen garden helps to meet the nutritional requirement of the household.
3. Growing vegetables by the family members serves as a good hobby and helps save money in purchase of fresh vegetables.
4. Domestic waste water and land available within one’s house compound are best utilized for growing vegetables. Kitchen garden provides a healthy atmosphere to the house.
