A good way to get started is with a good design. Understanding the relationship between the elements in the garden is essential. First ask yourself where you will get the winter sun, and if that spot is close enough to your kitchen as that is where your kitchen garden should go. Crops such as potatoes and beetroot for example can go further away from the home as they are not harvested as frequently.Try to use existing structures and resources if possible as you will find that reusing materials saves time and money.
Also consider the possibility of integrating chickens. As the diagram below illustrates chickens will save you buying fertiliser. You will be able to recycle your own kitchen waste by feeding it to the chickens and making compost at the same time.
It’s best to start working with a sketch to scale right from the beginning. Draw a simple diagram such as the one below to help you communicate to others your plan and get started. Once the garden has been designed it’s great if you can organise a working bee that includes family members and neighbours or friends willing to participate in a day or two of garden overhaul.
Having set up the garden beds and whatever else you are willing to integrate into your garden, including water tanks and fruit trees for example, you should feel confident to run your garden. And don’t let some casualties along the way discourage you, part of the establishment process is observing what works best in different areas of your garden.