A kitchen garden is a small–scale version of growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits for domestic use. The good thing about a kitchen garden is that it can be done anywhere, even in urban setups on balconies, backyards, or any other open space.
I love that it allows one to grow their own fresh, healthier and organic foods. In this day and age, where we are dealing with the issue of climate change and food insecurity, a kitchen garden is essential for every family unit.
When done with Nutrition in mind, I like calling it a kitchen nutrition garden. Here you major in plants, herbs, and fruits that provide essential nutrients in the diet.
At Practical Nutrition Consultants, we recommend every mother in our group to embrace the kitchen nutrition garden concept to help improve the nutrition status of the family and children. In addition, it can enhance the family’s livelihood as the budget for vegetables is channeled elsewhere, like education, rent, fuel, and any other need a family has. 7 key reasons for having a kitchen garden in the family.
7 key reasons why every family should have a kitchen garden
1. Clean Air
A kitchen garden purifies the Air around it, whether on the balcony or in the backyard, with the excellent oxygen it gives out.
2. Aesthetics Matter
Plants make your home greener, uplift your mood, and make you more optimistic. I love seeing the beauty it brings out in a compound.
3. Organic, Fresh Vegetables
Growing own fruits and vegetables can offer the opportunity to reduce the amount of pesticides used commercially. Organically grown vegetables are the best in terms of nutrients that they provide, and freshness.
4. Compost Your Waste
Plant fertilizer made from decaying organic material and kitchen wastes will help your plants grow faster while allowing you to get rid of your garbage. You can also recycle vegetables in your kitchen garden by collecting your unwanted vegetables and making compost for them, and using it again for compost for growing new vegetables and herbs
5. Cheap and Easy
A kitchen garden can help you grow things at home and bring down the need to buy from the market, and the money earlier budgeted for vegetables can be channeled into other family needs.
6. Health Friendly
Having a kitchen garden is a great way to engage the whole family in physical activity. Gardening is known to reduce levels of stress hormones. Personally, I find it therapeutic and enjoyable to work in the kitchen garden.
7. Eradicate Food Insecurity
Once a family can grow their food, the issue of food insecurity is eradicated; since the family can access clean, safe, and sufficient food through kitchen gardening.
Reach us at info@practicalnutritionconsultants.org and let us walk with you as you set up your kitchen nutrition garden.
Wanjiku Gachoka is a seasoned nutritionist with over ten years of experience. Her passion for educating communities on matters related to diet and nutrition has been the driving force behind her work.
Her main goal is to promote health and wellness while advocating for zero hunger.
Her approach to nutrition is grounded in making informed decisions, and she believes knowledge is power.
