Use and convenience is key
We have been doing our growing this season at the KU Student Farm. I get many such privileges being a faculty member there. As an experiment, Shari and I decided to try our hands at companion planting. What's companion planting? Glad you asked! Companion planting is where you grow plants next to each other that repel each others pests. The plant that is used most often is marigolds. Herbs are also big. The funny thing is that it seems that if it tastes good together, it's likely a companion plant. For example, tomatoes and basil are companion plants as are rosemary and potatoes and cilantro and peppers.
Anyway, we are coming to the end of our time at the KU Student Farm. We have not planted a fall garden nor do we plan to. As the plants give up their last fruits, we are pulling them without replacing. The herbs, however, we decided to transplant and put in our kitchen garden.
When you grow food for the home and you have enough space, it is likely that you will have more than one garden. The kitchen garden is pretty much what you think it is: a garden for the kitchen. There's nothing better than fresh herbs and greens but there's nothing worse than having to trek across your property to pluck what you need. Instead, find a spot close to the kitchen for a small number of items you are likely to need only a little. Right now we have sage, oregano and basil. Rosemary would be a good addition as would cilantro.
What would you keep in your kitchen garden?
I've got a small balcony garden at my apartment. My topsy-turvy cherry tomato plant is finally producing. I've also been growing dill, parsley, basil, sage and chives. :)
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