Kitchen Garden Design

Where should I put a kitchen garden?

Pick the sunniest spot you have, ideally with at least six to eight hours of direct sun, close to the kitchen and to a water source. Gardens you pass every day get tended and harvested. Walk the site with a notebook and a tape measure so your plan fits the real dimensions rather than a guess.

Check drainage after rain, watch where shade falls through the day and look at slope. Avoid low spots where cold air or water collects. Call your local utility locator service before digging deep, since buried lines can be dangerous.

Observe before you build. Spend a week noting sun, wind and water patterns in your candidate spots. Wet corners, windy exposures and shaded patches all shape which crops will do well.

• Six to eight hours of sun
• Close to the kitchen and water
• Good drainage
• Free of buried utility lines

How big should it be?

Start smaller than you think you need. A few beds you can keep weeded and watered will outproduce a large plot that gets away from you. You can always add beds next year.

Think in terms of hours per week. Be honest about the time you have for planting, watering, weeding and harvesting.

Think about entrances and gates. Wide gates make it easy to bring in compost and tools, and paths that lead naturally from the kitchen make daily harvests easy. Consider a nearby spot for a compost bin and tool storage.

• Start with one to three beds
• Plan time, not just space
• Leave room to expand
• Note what you eat most

What bed layout works best?

Beds narrow enough to reach the center from either side, without stepping on soil, protect soil structure. Paths wide enough for a wheelbarrow save frustration. Raised beds help with drainage and soil quality but cost more to build. A simple sketch with the beds labeled A, B and C makes rotation easy to track over several years.

Put tall crops such as corn or trellised beans on the north side so they do not shade shorter plants. Group crops with similar water and feeding needs together.

Mix in perennial crops thoughtfully. Herbs, rhubarb, asparagus and berries stay in place for years, so give them a permanent edge of the garden where annual beds can be turned each year.

How do I plan soil and water?

Get a soil test before you build. It shows pH and fertility and can warn of contamination concerns, depending on the lab. Build soil with compost rather than guessing at amendments.

Plan water at the start. A hose reach, drip lines or a rain barrel where local rules allow it all save time later. Check with your local government about rules for water use and storage.

Add seating and shade if you want to enjoy the space. A bench or a spot to set a basket makes the garden a place you visit, and visited gardens are weeded gardens.

How do I plan what to plant and rotate crops?

List what your household eats, then match crops to the space and season. Mix quick crops with slow ones, and plan for succession sowing so beds are not empty. Rotate crop families among beds each year to reduce pests and disease.

Draw a simple map and keep it from year to year. Notes on varieties and results make each season's plan better.

Check local rules before building. Fence height, structures, rain barrels and setbacks can be regulated by your town or homeowners association, so ask your local zoning or planning office what applies to your property.

How do I protect the garden from pests and wildlife?

Fencing is the most reliable way to keep out deer and rabbits, though what is needed depends on local wildlife. Wildlife rules vary by state, so ask your state wildlife agency before using any trapping or removal methods.

Keep compost bins tidy, clean up spent crops, and check plants often. Early notice makes problems easier to solve.

What are the cost categories to plan for?

Think in categories: soil test, compost or soil, bed materials, fencing, water supply, tools, seeds and plants. Reuse and trade where you can, since many costs are one-time. Used lumber, salvaged containers and shared tools can cut costs, though be careful about treated wood and old paint near food crops, and ask your extension office what is safe.

Build the budget for year one and then add a small line for yearly needs. Your extension office or local master gardeners may know of low-cost sources for materials.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.