Minakshi Meshram, Ad hoc Assistant Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Extension,
Gulab Das Barman and Devendra Kumar Sahu Ad hoc Assistant Professor, 
Dept. of Vegetable Science, Pt.KLS, CHRS, Rajnandgaon, MGUVV


Introduction
Kitchen garden or home garden or nutrition garden is primarily intended for continuous supply of fresh vegetables for family use. A number of vegetables are grown in available land for getting a variety of vegetables. Family members do most of works. Area of garden, lay out, crops selected etc. depend on availability and nature of land. In rural area, land will not be a limiting factor and scientifically laid out garden can be established. In urban areas, land is a limiting factor and very often crops are raised in limited available area or in terraces of buildings. Cultivation of crops in pots or in cement bags is also feasible in cities.

What is kitchen gardening?
Kitchen garden is the growing of fruits and vegetables at the backyard of house using kitchen waste water. Otherwise called as Home garden or Nutrition garden or Kitchen gardening or Vegetable gardening. It is a space separate from the rest of the residential garden (the ornamental plants and lawn areas). It is used for growing plants for eating, flavouring food, and often some medicinal plants. The plants are grown for use by the owner and their household, though some seasonal surpluses are given away or sold; a commercial operation growing a variety of vegetables is a market garden (or a farm).

A kitchen garden is where herbs and vegetables are grown around the house for household use. Since early times a small plot near to the house has been used for growing a variety of vegetables according to the season. Growing pesticide-free vegetables in the garden are now becoming a hobby for people. Kitchen gardening is affordable and doesn’t need a lot of space. You can even use your balconies or window sills for kitchen gardening. Local varieties such as radish, broad leaf mustard, chilli, beans, pumpkins, tomatoes etc. are can be grown. It is an art of growing vegetables on a small piece of land in a planned way in the vicinity of living /residential house to meet the needs of the family with fresh produce all year around regularly. A successful vegetable gardening is not accidental. It is the result of planning, constant care and the will to grow healthy vegetables.

Advantages of a kitchen garden or home garden are :

1. Supply fresh fruits and vegetables high in nutritive value

2. Supply fruits and vegetables free from toxic chemicals

3. Help to save expenditure on purchase of vegetables and economize therapy

4. Induces children on awareness of dignity of labour

5. Vegetables harvested from home garden taste better than those purchased from market.

Beneficial Connections for Making Kitchen Garden

1. Collecting waste water

2. Sweepings pit

3. Living fence

4. Vegetable beds

5. Liquid manure

TYPES OF KITCHEN GARDEN

1. Exclusively vegetable garden

2. Vegetable and fruits garden

3. Vegetable and flower garden

4. Combined vegetable ,fruit and flower garden

Need of Kitchen Garden
For people to stay healthy it’s very important to have a healthy diet. A healthy diet means a balanced mix of rice, bread, pulses, vegetables, herbs, fruit etc. For energy and protection against disease, vegetables play an essential role. Growing of vegetables without the use of chemical inputs, it is beneficial for health of the body.

1. Grow healthy, fresh vegetables yourself.

2. Cultivation in a small area facilitates the methods of controlling pests and diseases through the removal of affected parts and non-use of chemicals.

3. This will only facilitate successful production of our own requirement of vegetables.

4. To save the cost of buying vegetables and herbs.

5. Waste resources such as sweepings, kitchen scraps and dirty water can be recycled onto the garden.

6. Vegetables harvested from home garden taste better than those purchased from market.

7. Gardening gives dual benefits of food and income generation.

8. Gardens provide fodder for household animals and supplies for other household needs (handicrafts, fuel wood, furniture, baskets, etc.)

Purpose of kitchen gardening in the program
The purpose of kitchen gardening is given below:

1. Encourage the beneficiaries to cultivate vegetables in the open spaces in front of their houses.

2. Food security for beneficiaries, staffs and their families.

3. Fulfill the demand of all vitamins and minerals for mother, child and family members.

4. To keep the environment imperturbable and green around the OTP center.

5. To tackle the natural disaster.

PRINCIPLES OF KITCHEN GARDENING
For developing a kitchen garden proper planning is required. The basic principles to be considered while planning are as follows :

1. In a new construction, it is wise to plan kitchen garden in advance.

2. Appropriate size and shape will depend on the family size. It is better to have a small size well maintained garden than a poorly maintained large one.

3. Location is the fundamental principle and it should be close to the house.

4. Suitable and convenient layout.

5. Open and sunny site as sunlight is very important for proper growth of plants.

6. Site should be free from shade trees, etc.

7. Close to well, water tap natural and any other source of irrigation including kitchen water which can be profitably utilized.

8. The ideal kitchen garden be established in a fairly highly level area preferably on the southern site of the house, which can be protected by a live fence from stray animals.

9. Suitable and effective rotations should be followed to make best use of the available land.

Concept of Kitchen Gardening

1. Kitchen Garden is a garden in which vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown for household consumption.

2. Kitchen gardens are developed for the purpose to cultivate maximizes harvest in the hottest and driest of weather.

3. Low cost, low maintenance and adaptability make them a required gardening option around the houses.

4. Fruits and vegetables play an important role in the balanced diet of human beings which provides vital protective nutrients.

5. Fruits and vegetables from own garden gives satisfaction and also provides valuable roughage which helps in digestion.

6. The daily requirement of minerals and vitamins can be met by consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The necessity of Keyhole gardens are given below-

1. Easy to cultivate throughout the whole year.

2. Minimum space required.

3. Low costing

4. All types of vegetables can be planted.

5. Fresh vegetables and fruits.

6. Easy to take care.

7. Easy to prevent from any type of natural disasters.

8. Sometimes it supports for income generation

9. Ensuring food security for the family. It can be the main source to fulfill the demand of micronutrients for the family members especially mother and child.

Objective of kitchen garden:

1. Raising fresh vegetables rich in nutrients to supply the family the whole year round.

2. Proper utilization of land in the vicinity of the house

3. Best utilization of time of the family members in a pleasure way exercising an efficient and effective training to the children

4. Utilization of kitchen water and waste

5. Economizing the food cost

6. Useful for utilizing the spare time in a profitable way

1. Contain lists of some vegetables commonly grown in kitchen garden using seed planting and transplantation.

Table:- Planting Seeds

Type of Seed

Distance Between Plants

Planting Depth

Planting Dates

Bush Beans

5-8 cm

4—5 cm

May 5 — June 15

Beets

3-5 cm

1.5 cm

April 20—June 1

Broccoli

45-60cm

0.5—1.5 cm

May 5—July 15

Carrots

3-5 cm

1.5 cm

April 15—June 1

Cucumber

30-60 cm

1.5—2.5 cm

June 1– June 10

Kale

60 cm

0.5 cm

April 1—June 1

Lettuce (Head)

30cm

0.5—1 cm

April 1—10; and June 25—July 5

Potato

25 -30 cm

10 cm

April 5—June 1

Radish

2.5 cm

1.2 cm

April 1—May 1; and Aug 1—Sep 1

Squash

60-120 cm

2—3 cm

May 25—June 10


Table:- Transplanting

Type of Seedling

Distance Between Plants

Transplantation Dates

Broccoli

45-60 cm

April 25—May 5 for early or June 1—July 15 for late crops

Brussels Sprouts

60 cm

April 5—April 25

Cucumber

30-60 cm

June 10—June 20

Lettuce (Head)

30 cm

April 1—April 20

Peppers

60 cm

June 1—20

Rhubarb

90 cm

April 14—May 1

Tomatoes

90 cm

May 15—June 16


2. To find out the suggestions from farmer to overcome the problems related to kitchen garden

1. Insufficient Soil Preparation and Composting
Soil preparation is essential for a successful garden, but it is frequently overlooked due to its time-consuming and labour-intensive nature. If you're starting a new garden, best soil preparation is essential since it serves as the foundation for the plants.

Solution - Dig the area to a depth of 30-40cm to prepare the soil. A substantial layer of compost, around 1x60dm bag per 4 square meters of surface area, should then be put and worked into the soil with a fork. If necessary, bone meal and organic fertilizer can be applied, and the soil is now ready for planting. If you have an established garden and wish to add compost, don't dig it in since it will damage the roots of the current plants. Rather, sprinkle the compost on top of the soil, where earthworms and creatures will gradually break it down and incorporate it.

2. Pick the Wrong Spot
This is one of the most typical problems in the home garden.

Solution - To begin, choose a little area in which to develop your garden. Ensure that the area you select receives 5 to 6 hours of direct sunshine every day. Also, avoid placing your plants in areas where high gusts might knock them down. Pollinators will be hampered by the wind in their work. Finally, consider how easy it is to water, select, and care for plants in your garden space. Use of proper gardening tools is a must for sowing seeds, watering plants and for other gardening activities.

3. Plants are being over-sunned
Plants in the garden appear to be scorched and parched. Plant leaves will become brittle and readily shatter. Similar symptoms to an under watered plant, however watering does not improve the plant's health.

Solution - using shade cloth in the yard and moving plants that are in a container or pot. As a long-term solution, consider planting fast-growing plants and shrubs around the area.

4. Plants Do Not Get Enough Sun
The vivid hue of the leaves is fading, and they are turning yellow and speckled. Leaves are dropping off the plant, and growth appears to be hindered. Plants that are spindly and have a lot of space between their leaves.

Solution - If you're growing plants in pots, relocate them to a sunny spot. If you have plants growing on raised beds, you can move them if they are little. Those who have permanent gardens may have to take down plants and shrubs. If you're experiencing difficulties with your garden, evaluate whether you're committing one of the aforementioned errors. When everything is correctly set up, a home garden can be a highly gratifying and soothing exercise.

5. Slow Growth
This is also one of the Home Garden Problems that gardeners commonly complain about. Many common gardening issues might have an impact on the rate at which your plants develop. Temperature, light exposure, and nutrients, to mention a few, are all important factors that might impact the health of your plants.

Solution - Some plants require complete light exposure, which means they require 6 to 8 hours of direct sunshine. Other plants demand sufficient shade. Reading the back of the seed packet will provide you with the essential light exposure for the plant. This will therefore assist you in determining where to plant.

6. Germination is erratic or poor
Certainly, this is one of the most prevalent Home Garden Problems for many gardeners. Seed germination can be poor or inconsistent due to inappropriate planting (for example, planting too deeply) and low weather.

Solution - Fine plant seeds, as well as those that require light to germinate, should be planted on the surface of the germination medium and softly pushed into it. Cover medium and big seeds with extra potting mix to a depth of 1 to 2 times the diameter of the seed. For optimal seed germination, uniform moisture levels are essential. Place transparent plastic food wrap over the containers to maintain constant moisture levels.

7. Planting garden plants too early
Planting garden plants in colder temperatures too early might result in reduced growth, wilting, leaf necrosis, and increased disease susceptibility. Even the most cold-tolerant plants have a limit. Planting too early should be avoided.

Solution - Once you've planted garden plants too early, it's typically too late to reverse the situation. However, there are several things that may assist maintain the plant alive and healthy. A cold frame is a box with a window or some material that absorbs solar heat and retains it within the box with the plants. This permits the temperature to remain warm around the plant.

Conclusion

1. Kitchen Gardening is an eco-friendly sustainable agricultural practice to improve food security and enhance economic growth. In the wake of a global food crisis and the soaring food prices, kitchen gardening comes out the better way for enhancing and building local food systems.

2. Kitchen garden should be part of home and hobby irrespective of the fact whether it is developed in hills, plains, villages or cities.

3. The idea of kitchen garden should be spread so that it can contribute substantially to the health, happiness and economy of each and every family

4. Despite having good amount of vegetable production at national level, the per capita availability of vegetables is still less from the recommended dietary allowances.

5. Kitchen garden can be established at household or community level in order to ensure the daily supply of fresh vegetables in the diets.

6. Unavailability of quality planting material and Seeds of HYV vegetables was perceived as major constraints in establishing a kitchen garden

7. Kitchen Garden is now an important aspect of urban areas. It mostly helps to reduce kitchen waste and also helps to recycle kitchen waste water. By starting a kitchen garden and growing even a small portion of your own food, you’ll not only be cultivating a connection to what you eat, you’ll also be helping the planet. Not to mention the fact that it just feels good to have a hand in feeding yourself and your family. Plus it is a good exercise and reduce the stress.

8. Kitchen gardening is helping to fulfill the nutritional needs of the people who are living in homestead. Besides that, it also helps in tackling natural disaster. In coming future, we are planning to introduce upgraded technology and disseminate knowledge to develop kitchen gardening system through coordination with the upazila agriculture office.

9. Nutrition is considered critical for women. Nutrition is an input into development especially economic development and its neglect would adversely affect health, and cognition. Kitchen garden established at household ensures the daily supply of fresh vegetables in the diets and have helped to improve the food and nutritional security of women as well as their family members. Average per capita availability of vegetables increased from 150g/day to 240 g/day after kitchen gardening was done in selected families. Homestead kitchen gardening along with nutrition intervention will improve the nutritional security and health in rural livelihoods, but the approach is normally slow and results are achieved over a long run.