Whether that’s a vegetable garden, herb garden, or simply a productive area in your backyard - and it is one of the easiest but most rewarding additions you can make to your outside space.
Imagine stepping outside to pick fresh herbs for dinner, juicy tomatoes for a salad, or crisp lettuce for lunch – all grown just a few feet from your kitchen. Whether you have a spacious backyard or just a sunny patio, a kitchen garden can be tailored to your space, lifestyle, and taste.
At Agriframes US, we’ve been helping gardeners create beautiful, productive spaces for decades. With the right planning and quality structures, you can enjoy fresh, healthy food and the satisfaction of homegrown produce all year round.
1. Choose the Right Location
A productive kitchen garden starts with the right location. Most vegetables and herbs need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, so pick a sunny, sheltered spot that’s easy to access from your kitchen door.
If you have limited space, think vertically - climbers like beans, peas, and cucumbers can grow upward on Agriframes Obelisks or Plant Frames to save ground space while adding visual interest to your vegetable garden. For smaller yards, Containers are a great way to organise crops neatly and improve soil quality.
2. Plan What to Grow
Before planting, think about what your family actually enjoys eating.
Popular kitchen garden crops in the US include:
- Tomatoes – great for containers or raised beds, especially with sturdy supports from Agriframes Elegance Jute Strung Folding Frame - a flexible must-have for all productive gardens.
- Lettuce and Salad Greens – quick to grow and perfect for multiple harvests - use a Mini Crop Cage to protect against birds and pests.
- Herbs – basil, parsley, thyme, and mint are great for an herb garden - try planting in a Zinc Planter to create an aromatic feature right outside your door.
- Carrots and Radishes – fun and fast for beginners.
- Beans and Peas – thrive on vertical frames and give big harvests in small spaces - an Elegance Runner Bean Frame is the perfect centrepiece for any Edibles Garden.
You can also plant in stages – sow salad greens every couple of weeks so you always have fresh leaves ready and stagger sowing of beans and root vegetables to extend the harvest season.
3. Use Quality Structures to Support Your Plants
Strong, attractive supports keep plants healthy and make your garden a feast for the eyes that you’ll love to work in. Agriframes Obelisks, available in a range of timeless styles, are ideal for supporting climbing vegetables and flowers while adding vertical interest to your layout.
For berries and currants, a Fruit Cage is a smart investment. It protects your harvest from birds while giving your backyard garden a tidy, professional look. Our Kitchen Garden Plant Frames are perfect for vining crops like cucumbers, gourds, and pole beans, making the most of your available space.
4. Prepare and Improve Your Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving vegetable garden. Most crops prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Before planting, work in compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility.
If your yard soil is poor or compacted, Raised Beds or Agriframes Aged Zinc Metal Planters filled with high-quality potting mix give you complete control over drainage and nutrients - especially important for root crops like carrots and beets.
AGED ZINC PLANTERS
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5. Watering and Mulching for Success
Consistent watering is key, especially during hot summer months. Water early in the morning so plants can absorb moisture before the heat of the day. A soaker hose or drip irrigation can save time and keep water right at the roots.
Mulching around your plants with straw, bark chips, or compost helps retain moisture, reduce weeds, and regulate soil temperature - making vegetable garden maintenance much easier.
6. Seasonal Planting for Year-Round Harvests
With a little planning, you can enjoy fresh produce through much of the year:
- Spring - Lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, and early carrots.
- Summer - Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peppers, and zucchini.
- Fall - Kale, broccoli, leeks, and turnips.
- Winter (in milder climates or under cover) - Hardy greens and cool-weather herbs.
To start crops earlier or extend the season a Greenhouse or Cold Frame is perfect for protecting seedlings or keeping tender plants going longer.
Bringing It All Together
Starting a kitchen garden – whether you call it a vegetable garden, herb garden, or backyard garden – is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, healthy produce right outside your door. With careful planning, healthy soil, and the right support structures, you can grow delicious food and create a space you love spending time in.
At Agriframes US, we offer a wide range of elegant, long-lasting garden structures designed to help you grow successfully while enhancing your outdoor space.
Start your kitchen garden today and enjoy the taste of homegrown freshness.
