How to start a kitchen garden in India

You don’t need a garden, a lot of money or a green thumb to grow some of your own food. You need a sunny spot, a few pots and the willingness to let a couple of things die while you learn.

Work through the six steps below in order. Resist the urge to grow ten things at once: start with three you actually eat, get a harvest and expand from there.

1. Find your light

   Watch where the sun actually falls for a day. Most vegetables want 5–6 hours of direct sun; leafy greens and herbs cope with less.

2. Pick pots and soil

   Start with a few 10–12 inch pots with drainage holes and a light potting mix (not garden soil). Bigger pots are more forgiving for beginners.

3. Choose easy crops

   Coriander, amaranth, methi, spinach and chillies forgive mistakes. Skip anything fussy for season one.

4. Sow and water

   Sow seeds at the depth on the packet, water gently and keep the mix moist (not soggy) until they germinate.

5. Feed and watch

   Top up with compost every few weeks. Check daily for pests; catch problems early with a neem spray.

6. Harvest often

   Cut leafy greens little and often: it makes the plant produce more. Your first cut is the moment it all becomes worth it.

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