It has always been a dream for me to grow my own food, but small apartments have often made this idea seem impossible. The idea of having fresh herbs and veggies at my fingertips, right in the kitchen, had seemed like just a dream until now.
Everything changed, though, when I decided to make one of the kitchen windows my DIY kitchen garden window. In addition to accessing fresh produce from the comfort of my kitchen, it transformed this room into a cozy, green space that I love.
In this article, I will take you through my experience, providing all the details you need to create your very own DIY kitchen garden window. I will cover everything from planning and materials to planting and maintenance, sharing the lessons I learned along the way.
Step 1: Planning the DIY Kitchen Garden Window
Before I began building my DIY kitchen garden window, I took the time to plan everything out carefully. I wanted a space to grow my herbs and small vegetables without overcrowding my kitchen or blocking out the sunlight.
My first move was to assess what window space I had available. I stumbled upon a south-facing window with unlimited amounts of sunlight, and that was exactly what the herbs and vegetables needed.
In that regard, I also thought of how easy it would be for regular care and watering—because, let’s face it, we all know that plants need attention!
Having picked the perfect spot, I considered the types of plants that would go well into my DIY kitchen garden window. Fresh herbs such as basil, mint, and parsley topped the list, given that I make use of them daily in cooking.
I also decided to try growing small vegetables such as cherry tomatoes and mini peppers, knowing they’d thrive in containers. I planned the layout so the taller plants would be placed at the back and the smaller ones at the front, ensuring they’d all get plenty of light.
Step 2: Materials and Tools for the DIY Kitchen Garden Window
In fact, gathering the proper materials will ensure that the whole DIY kitchen garden window not only functions right but also adds up to its appeal. What I used: list and experience
- Window box : I went for a deep yet long and stable window box in order to ensure it covers my kitchen window completely. Deep to accommodate plants and compact so it does not become overcrowded.
- Soil: The quality potting soil with some added compost provided exactly what herbs and veggies need: nutrients in perfect balance and a good flow to drain, in this case, to dry it out slightly each time the lid was shut.
- Herb and vegetable plants: I bought a mix of seedlings from my local nursery, including basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, cherry tomatoes, and mini peppers. I chose plants that would thrive in small spaces and could be harvested frequently.
- Tools: Some basic gardening tools such as a hand trowel, pruning shears, and a watering can were very important. In addition, I had a drill and screws set aside to mount the window box to the window frame.
It was easy working with the right materials, and I highly recommend spending good money on quality soil and plants. You will really see a huge difference in your garden’s health!
Step 3: Installation of the DIY Kitchen Garden Window
I must say, one of the most thrilling moments while assembling my DIY kitchen garden window was the installation process. I wasn’t replacing the window itself, but rather placing a window box outside. These are the steps I followed:
- Measuring and marking: I measured the width of the window to know how wide my window box will fit. After measuring, I marked the holes I was to drill on the wall for placing the brackets.
- Drilling the holes: Using a drill, I carefully made holes in the window frame for the mounting brackets. This step was tricky because I needed to make sure everything was level. A slight misalignment could have meant the plants wouldn’t receive the right amount of sunlight.
- Attaching the brackets: I used screws to attach the brackets to the window frame, ensuring these were adequate enough to support the weight of the window box and plants. I rechecked on the leveling, ensuring the box was set straight.
The next thing was putting the window box in place: once the brackets were secured, I placed the window box onto them and filled the window box with soil. In doing this, I left a small space at the top to accommodate easy planting of seedlings.
Installing the DIY kitchen garden window wasn’t as tough as I had thought it would be. It took me a few hours, but the feeling of accomplishment I felt when everything was in place made it worth the effort.
Step 4: Choosing and Planting the Right Crops
The other criteria that guided my decisions when choosing plants for my window included space and amount of sunlight. Since I wanted plants that would not be too occupying but rather productive, the following were the only ones I planted:
- Basil: No kitchen garden is complete without basil. I plant several different kinds of basil for its ultimate versatility in pasta, salads, and even cocktails!
- Mint: Mint is another favorite of mine, and it’s great for adding fresh flavor to teas, smoothies, or desserts. It grows fast, so I had to keep it trimmed to avoid it taking over the entire window box.
- Tomatoes: I went with small cherry tomatoes because they fit perfectly in my window box. They grew quickly and produced an abundance of sweet, juicy tomatoes.
- Mini peppers: These were a great addition to my DIY kitchen garden window. Small, colorful, and delicious to munch on or add to stir-fry.
Planting them was a cinch. I made sure that the seedlings were spaced just right and also mixed in some organic fertilizer for them to be strong and healthy.
The first few weeks were a little nerve-wracking, but before long, new leaves and stems started sprouting up!
Step 5: Ensuring Proper Drainage for Your DIY Kitchen Garden Window
Another most critical step when doing a DIY kitchen garden window was to not miss the need to have effective drainage for plants. This can cause an overflow of water inside the window box, making water collect in the bottom; root rot then causes unhealthy plants.
This may become a total disaster for my project, so I added drainage on the sides and bottom so my plants do not rot easily.
Here is how I managed:
- I drilled several small holes in the bottom before filling the window box with soil. This allows excess water to drain out, preventing waterlogging. I spread them evenly across the bottom of the box to ensure proper drainage throughout.
- A Layer of Gravel or Rocks: In addition to all this, I added a very thin layer of gravel or small rocks to the bottom of the box before adding the soil. This aids water drainage to an extent where roots do not have to sit in standing water.
- Watering Care: Although I am blessed with an efficient drainage system, I made sure to carefully water my homemade kitchen garden window without over-watering. Whenever I wait till the top layers of soil dry out completely before watering them again, they thrive under a proper balance in terms of watering.
- By paying attention to drainage, I’ve been able to avoid the common pitfall of overwatering, ensuring my plants stay happy and healthy in their new space. It’s definitely one of the most important steps for anyone starting a DIY kitchen garden window project.
Step 6: Maintaining the DIY Kitchen Garden Window
It has been such a simple and rewarding daily routine, checking on my DIY window kitchen garden every morning. Here is what I found out about keeping them healthy:
- Watering: Every other day, depending on the weather, I water my plants. Since the window box drains well, overwatering, which leads to root rot, is avoided.
- Pruning: I regularly trim the herbs so that there is growth and not overcrowding. This keeps the plants presentable and appearing neat.
- Feeding: I put one bucket of compost every month to keep the soil rich in nutrients. I also use a liquid fertilizer at gentle dosages every couple of weeks to support growth.
I did encounter a few setbacks, to be honest—the aphids were a major problem initially. A solution I implemented was the use of a soap-based insecticidal soap that is safe for edible plants, and the issue disappeared very quickly.
Conclusion
Having a DIY kitchen garden window has totally changed my cooking experience. Not only do I have easy access to fresh herbs and veggies whenever I need them, but I also love how my kitchen feels brighter and more inviting with the added greenery.
It’s truly a satisfying feeling to know that I grew the food I’m using in my meals. If you have been considering making your very own DIY kitchen garden window, I highly recommend you do so.
It’s a pretty simple project that you can do over the weekend, and the payoffs—fresh ingredients, a greener space, and the sense of accomplishment—are well worth the effort.
FAQs
What plants grow best in a kitchen garden window?
Basil, parsley, rosemary, and thyme are good herbs for a kitchen garden window. Small vegetables like cherry tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce can also grow in a sunny window space.
How much sunlight does a kitchen garden window need?
This DIY kitchen garden window requires at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight for most herbs and small veggies. If your window does not get enough sunlight, you can add a grow light for even more vibrant growth.
Can I have a DIY garden window in a small kitchen?
Absolutely! You can still have a DIY kitchen garden window even if your kitchen is small. Just find a compact space that receives good sunlight. Make sure to choose smaller plants and containers that won’t take up too much space.
