Easy and budget-friendly ways to start a kitchen garden

It is quite a revolution to have a kitchen garden of your own, almost a return to something pure and the simple joy of plucking fresh basil for your pasta, the scent of damp soil lingering on your cuffs, and the perpetual pride of a tiny seed sprouting into life.

- SEJAL ARORA

The world offers fresh foods at a premium and often laden with chemicals, so much so that FSSAI cautions people to look out for pesticide residues; in this case, growing your herbs and vegetables is an act of self-sufficiency, a promise of safety, and also sustainable.

But does it have to cost a fortune? Well, not really as a thriving kitchen garden is built not on money, but on resourcefulness and patience. The use of old containers and kitchen scraps, and choosing an easy-growing method, cost-effective plant choices, DIY fertilizers and affordable medium can help you cultivate your crops without straining your wallet. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or just a sunny windowsill, your garden is waiting to grow: one tiny seed at a time.

Why start a kitchen garden?

If you are still wondering why you should start a kitchen garden, here are some compelling reasons:

Saves money: If done well, you get an endless supply of fresh herbs and vegetables: this means a one-time investment with continuous returns.

Guaranteed fresh and organic: You get to control what goes into your soil, so good control of nutrition.

Utilizes small and unused spaces: Even if you lack a backyard, you can grow herbs on windowsills, balconies, and kitchen countertops. This really does not take up a lot of space, and also adds to the aesthetics.