Grow Your Own Kitchen Garden: Start Today with Things You Already Have
Have you ever dreamed of stepping into your backyard and snipping fresh herbs for dinner or harvesting juicy tomatoes right off the vine? At Delve Experiences, we believe every home—regardless of size—can grow something beautiful and delicious. And the best part? You don’t need to be a gardening pro to get started.
Welcome to the world of regenerative gardening and permaculture, where your garden isn’t just a place to grow food—it’s a space to reconnect with nature, support the planet, and nourish your soul.
🌿 What Is Regenerative Gardening?
Think of it as gardening with nature, not against it. Regenerative gardening is designed to restore the soil, boost ecosystem health, and leave your little patch of Earth better than you found it.
Regenerative agriculture frameworks have been developed and defined by a variety of organizations, including the US Department of Agriculture and National Resources Conservation Service. However, the concept generally boils down to five key principles:
- Let It Rest – Reduce tilling to protect the soil's structure and life.
- Feed It Naturally – Use compost, mulch, and organic matter.
- Keep It Covered – Cover crops and mulch mean less erosion, more moisture.
- Increase Diversity – Support a rich, vibrant mini-ecosystem.
- Integrate Livestock – Call in the herd to help strengthen the soil.
🌱 The Ethics of Permaculture: More Than Just Gardening
Permaculture isn’t just about where you plant your tomatoes—it’s a way of living that promotes sustainability, community, and intention. Similar to regenerative agriculture principles, different groups have created various permaculture frameworks. However, they have central themes, and some of our favorite core ethics include:
- Earth Care – Ditch the chemicals, plant natives, mulch like a pro.
- People Care – Share your harvest, create gathering spaces.
- Fair Share & Future Care – Give back to the land and your neighbors.
- Start Small – One raised bed can be the start of something amazing.
🌼 Don’t Have a Huge Yard? No Problem.
You don’t need a farm to grow food. Permaculture thrives in small spaces. With simple zone planning, companion planting (tomatoes + basil = BFFs), and smart watering systems like wicking beds and rain barrels, your patio or yard can become a productive oasis.
And speaking of wicking beds, here’s a cool tip: Use a mini "hugelkultur" setup to fill your raised beds—repurpose twigs, compost, and even cardboard to retain water and save money. We may not be able to teach you how to say it, but we can show you how it works in one of our classes or workshops. ;)
🍅 What Should You Grow First?
Start with what you love. Whether it's herbs you use daily, or that pricey organic arugula, the key is to grow something you’ll truly enjoy. Even better? Grow one thing really well rather than many things poorly.
Plant seeds for the easy stuff, and invest in starter plants for the trickier ones like tomatoes and peppers. Bonus tip: Your local feed store might have better prices (and friendlier advice!) than the big box stores.
👩🌾 Build Your Green Thumb
Learning to grow is part of the journey. Join local garden clubs, attend plant swaps, take a library class—or book a garden coaching session to jumpstart your confidence.
Better yet? Volunteer at a community garden to gain hands-on skills while connecting with others.
Ready to Start Your Kitchen Garden Journey?
At Delve Experiences, we’re passionate about empowering everyday people to dig in—literally. Whether you're looking to grow your first tomato or transform your backyard into a food forest, you can start small and grow beautifully.
Explore our upcoming classes, workshops, coaching sessions, and garden design services through delveexperiences.com, and let’s get growing—together.
