The Past

I grew up on Aberdeen estate on the island of Dominica. It was there that I had my introduction to gardening. In a way, we had our own Kitchen Salad Garden. I always loved gardening! Whether it was flowers, herbs, salads or vegetables. Gardening was a way of life. And most of the time it was fun!

Growing up on Aberdeen Estate, we grew most of what we needed to eat. There was always fresh food, fruit, and vegetables around.

It was a problem at times. Because, sometimes when lunch time came, we would  be too full to eat the food that was prepared for us!  All morning long we feasted on the fruit, and vegetables that were around us as we played or did our chores.

These days we have to rely on store bought food, which may or may not always be fresh.

 

The Problem

Some of the food, is drenched with chemicals to preserve it for the long journey, on the train, truck or boat. So when it reaches the store shelves it still looks like it’s good to eat.

Another factor to consider, is the fact, that to grow food that will last a long time, they use certain fertilizers and chemicals  mixed into the soil, as food for the plant.  But guess What! The plant absorbs all these harmful chemicals. Then we ingest these chemicals when we eat the plants. That is one reason why we are seeing a rise of so many health issues today. Most of the food we are eating today no longer has the nutrients that our bodies really need.

 

The Solution- Grow Your Own Kitchen Salad Garden

One way that can help right off the bat, is to buy and eat more of the food that is grown locally. But even better yet,  you can grow some of your own, in that way you will cut back on what you buy. And you will know what is going into your body.

That’s why we are encouraging you to build your own Kitchen salad garden.  Whether large or small, the idea is to just start.

 

Just Start and You’ll Enjoy it!

Take a small step. Just start. Imagine having fresh salad, and an herbal garden at your fingertips. By having your own Kitchen Salad Garden– a raised bed, or a container garden, close to your kitchen.  Planted with herbs of your choice that you can use in your kitchen every day! It is so therapeutic. After a hard day’s work or on the weekend, just tending to your plants, is truly refreshing.

But most of all, you’ll admire your handy work. Of course you’ll have to make important decisions like whether or not to make a fresh, healthy smoothie for breakfast in the morning. You’ll find yourself  taking your basket or bowl, and picking your salad, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, kale or scallion.  And making a delicious salad for lunch. Or just picking herbs to cook that beautiful  dinner you were craving. All this from your very own kitchen salad garden.

Now — You tell me,… wouldn’t that be a wonderful feeling? Absolutely!

I can truthfully say Gardening is my form of therapy.  And I want you to enjoy the beautiful feeling of tranquility my kitchen salad garden brings me”.

 

Where to Start

Start by analyzing your space.  Draw a graph of your space.  Find a place that is best for you, for your Kitchen Salad Garden. Whether it’s on your balcony or in containers. Even better yet,  if you have the space in your yard to create a raised bed with trellises to maximize your growing space.

 

What to Grow

Choosing the herbs you use in your everyday cooking, like basil, scallion, rosemary, cilantro, parsley, thyme. The choice is all yours.

As for vegetables, your Kitchen Salad Garden can have beans or tomatoes on a trellis and your choice of carrots, beets, spinach, Callard, Swiss chard. Just think of what your family loves to eat. Then you can make it your goal to build a beautiful garden for the spring.

 

For Example:

Do you like a smoothie in the morning?  Then plant some greens in your Kitchen Salad Garden. What do you like to eat in your salad?  Bell peppers cucumbers, celery, tomatoes. The choice is all yours. Nothing Tastes better than something you’ve grown in your own garden.  Then you will truthfully say that your vegetables are really organic! They will be beautiful, free from contamination, by chemical, pesticides and other harmful substances.

 

Working With Soil

The foundation of a successful organic garden is well drained soil. Soil that’s full of lots of microorganisms, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.

Since different vegetables use different minerals, you have to make sure you provide it with the right combination of compost, sand and top soil. The compost is actually decomposed material like leaves, straw, and other material from nature.  This organic matter can change the soil dramatically by improving its structure. It helps to bring a good balance of water, air and nutrients to the soil- which in turn will feed your vegetables. And best all, your vegetables  will in  turn, feed you. And they will do so nutritiously!

By building your own Kitchen Salad Garden, not only will you be protecting you and your families health, but you will also play your part in protecting the environment. You can accomplish this while enjoying the beauty and peace of mind of having a beautiful Kitchen Salad Garden. One that both you and your family will enjoy!

 

3 Steps to Having a Green Thumb

[1]   Soil: Have a good mix of topsoil, sand, compost and a good organic fertilizer.

The sand is important. So make sure your soil has a well drained mixture. This will  provide air in the ground so your plant will be able to grow freely through the ground. Compost, which is the breakdown of organic matter, is very important to your soil mix. It provides most of the natural nutrients that your plant will need.

[2]   Water: Having a good watering system in place is a must. For example — a wicking system for your bed. If you are a busy person and not sure when and how to water your bed- then you should think of implementing a wicking system. Water is how the plants take in their nutrients from the soil through their roots.  So it’s vital for you not to let the plant get too dry in between watering.

[If you need help with the wicking system, we will be more than happy to help].

[3] Sun:  Just as the plants take in food through their roots, the same applies to their leaves. They use the process of “Photosynthesis’.  This is how they pull in energy from the sun, so check the type of  plants that you are planting. This will help you to determine the amount of sun they need and where you will place them.

So, Hooray to ” A Green Thumb”!!  As you can see, it takes patients and willingness to implement these 3 steps above. But it is very well worth it!

 

The Big Benefits!.

• Fresh food without chemicals.
• Enjoyable Therapy
• Healthy organic food
• Lunch at your fingertips
• Save valuable time
• Help the environment
• Peace of mind

 

Where Do I Start?

To create your own kitchen salad garden is not hard at all, regardless of  whether you live in the middle of the city or out in the middle of the woods. I can show you how to have fresh vegetables and herbs all year round.

This is food uncontaminated by modern pesticides. You’ll be able to eat the way your great grand parents did. and enjoy healthy nutritious pesticide free vegetables; you will have the contentment of knowing you grew this yourself.

 

We Can Help. We Can Show You…

• How to build your Kitchen Salad Garden
• What plant will grow best in your area,
• When to plant them.
• How to care for them,
• How and when to harvest them

 

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