The new kitchen garden has been a joy to work on, it’s great to finally see my plans before me, rather than on paper. Each raised bed will be filled with compost rich in chicken manure straight from the compost bins, it’s lovely stuff with a beautiful earthy smell. I’ve decided to try the no dig method used by Charles Dowding for most of the beds, although due to timing, one bed has already been dug over and prepared for planting garlic in autumn.
The rhubarb bed is looking great, this is a young crown of Timperley Early which is a favourite of mine to grow because it’s super early and great for forcing. I resisted the urge to pull a few sticks this year, leaving it to grow strong and healthy for future harvests.
Squeezed into a sheltered corner of the kitchen garden is a wildlife pond, our garden is full of frogs and newts and you can never have too many wildlife ponds and areas in my opinion. I planted herbs around the edges to grow wild and unruly for a natural look, most are flowering herbs to attract bees and pollinators.
I used potted ivy and wood logs at the very back of the pond for a natural, rustic look. The new kitchen garden is pulling plenty of wildlife in already, including these little guys…
In the centre of the kitchen garden is a mature apple tree with a little table and chair set underneath, every kitchen garden needs a place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Below is the view from the kitchen garden, back towards the house.
I’m looking forward to working with my soil and improving it with plenty of organic matter over time, the texture appears to be a light sandy type which is just perfect for root veg.
The chickens seem to like the kitchen garden, although I’ll have to find a way to keep them out soon!
The Garden Smallholder 
Oh how fun! Your new garden is beautiful. It looks like it will productive as well. I look forward to the updates.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jeanne!
LikeLike
So beautiful–an AWESOME place of peace and refuge. . .
LikeLike
Your garden is beautiful and I love the way you put in a pond with herbs around it and you have chickens too. Sigh. My own garden is kind of a mess. I’ve been too busy this summer to tend it as I should. Also, this year the deer, the squirrels, the birds and the naughty neighborhood bunny have been giving me a run for my money. I’m looking for new ways to keep the wildlife out. The stuff must taste good though because they like it a lot!
LikeLike
By the way, I also love that picture of the frog!
LikeLike
I have been gardening for years with this year being the first where I tried my hand at raising vegetables. I look forward to watching your success and hearing tips and suggestions that come from your experiences.
LikeLike
Beautiful, thanks for sharing! Yea, my girls like to help, I used their portable run to keep them out while sowing and growing…
LikeLike
Your new kitchen garden is looking great. What an opportunity to start from scratch from the paper plan onwards.
LikeLike
Your new garden looks extremely well organised. I expect there will be bountiful harvests before too long! :)
LikeLike
Ephesians413 – Many thanks, I hope you manage to tend your garden soon, deer and rabbits can be a real problem in a kitchen garden.
LikeLike
The Hopeful Herbalist, thank you. I think I’ll try wire fencing (with a little gate) to keep my flock out while the sowing season is underway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greenbenchramblings, thank you. It’s a joy to finally see the plan come together, slowly adding to it throughout the seasons.
LikeLike
The Dorset Finca – I’m really looking forward to properly harvesting from the garden, it’s exciting to watch it develop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Has Chelsea signed up to the no dig policy?
LikeLike
No idea Sue! I’m giving it a go, seeing as I won’t be using part of the kitchen garden through winter anyway. I’m interested to see how it compares.
LikeLike
Thank you Julie, that’s exactly what it is, the bonus being it will also feed us too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:)
LikeLike
Beautiful photos! Looks fantastic!
LikeLike
Jen Gardener – Thank you
LikeLike
The new garden is really beginning to take shape. What fun lies ahead for you. When I saw your chickens wandering around at liberty I thought you’ve got much better behaved chickens than we have – we call them the salad thieves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Animalcouriers – I have no doubts about them being complete thieves when the kitchen garden is in full swing next year! Only today they were thieving blackcurrants from the bushes…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
This garden is an absolute dream!x
LikeLike
Laura, many thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks perfect.
LikeLike
Marie Keates, many thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful!!!!
LikeLike
Sherry, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks beautiful and so peaceful! Congratulations for your excellent job. Have a great week!
Marianne
LikeLike