There is truly nothing quite as gratifying as growing your own edible plants in a seemingly impossible growing environment. The patience it takes to grow herbs, the connection of bringing nature into the home, and the ability to nurture nature is truly rewarding!

So how do you get started building your own little edible garden in your home? It’s quite simple, if you keep it simple! While we are lucky enough to be surrounded by an abundance of nature, it very rare that we often get to see it grow! So, take it slow and enjoy the process. It doesn’t matter if you’re short on space, lack direct sunlight, or if Winter is upon us. There is always a creative solution- and where there’s a will there’s a way right? Follow our garden to table cooking tips to set up your very own sustainable living model!

Garden to Table Cooking Tips #1: WORK YOUR SPACE

If you are growing indoors, light is key. If your home has a skylight or a large sunny window, this would be an ideal area to grow herbs indoors. If your home struggles with direct sunlight, consider a grow light over your herbs and veggies, or even invest in a small, foldable greenhouse!
If you have outdoor space, landscape with food! Cover the walls, walkways, pot plants and balcony with delicious herbs / runner veggies. We love how creative you can get with this- and herbs have the additional benefit of repelling insects!

Tip: Courgettes / Zucchini grow exceptionally well in containers, and will happily supply weeks of food by simply placing them on a sunny patio! They grow very quickly, so plant only a few plants.

3. Build a raised garden bed. These have been seen cropping up all over, and we can see why! Raised Flower / Garden Beds are used for growing small plots of veggies, and keep pathway weeds separate from your fertilized soil, prevent soil compaction, provide drainage, and are a barrier to pests like slugs and snails, and urban critters such as cats and dogs.

GARDEN TO TABLE COOKING TIPS #2: CREATING YOUR VEGETABLE PLOT

Grow what you like to eat! Keep a list of your weekly essentials, and begin planning your grow needs
Choose the expensive veggies! Save money by growing the more expensive of the vegetables! Baby carrots, baby potatoes and even mangetout are pricier than the basis, but can all be grown at home!
Choose leafy veggies. One of our favourite aspects of garden to table cooking is the ‘cut and come again’ concept. Certain plants thrive through partial harvesting- take a few leaves for a dinner salad and your leafy veg will keep on growing! Peas and Beans also produce more, the more you pick them.

GARDEN TO TABLE COOKING TIPS #3: BEST VEGETABLES AND HERBS TO GROW

Easiest Herbs to Grow

Chives
Lemon Balm
Mint
Parsley
Basil
Lemongrass
Rosemary

Easiest Vegetables to Grow

Cucumbers
Lettuce- most varieties
Shallots
Garlic
Mangetout
Baby Carrots- try find Nantes
Beetroot
Running Beans
Cherry Tomatoes

Are you looking to try our Garden to Home cooking tips? Send us a pic of your homemade, homegrown meals on INSTAGRAM, using #Eetrite