Going green with a sustainable kitchen garden

Why you should grow your own produce

Growing your own fruit, herbs and vegetables is much more sustainable than buying them from the supermarket as it means less food waste, no packaging and zero transport emissions.

Your produce can also be organic as you control the amount of pesticides you use (if any at all).

Growing in larger spaces

If you have a large outdoor space, you can use an existing garden bed for your herb or vegetable patch. You can also build a raised garden bed or planter box to create an edible feature.

Another option is to build your own greenhouse. Greenhouses are ideal for growing produce in a warm environment all year round. They’re also perfect for keeping bugs, insects and other outdoor elements away from your plants.

Fruit trees are also great for a large outdoor space and are rewarding when the first fruits start to grow.

Growing in smaller spaces

For those wanting to grow fresh produce in a smaller space, making your own hanging baskets or vertical gardens are ideal and they also create a beautiful feature for your home.

Indoor greenery

There are plenty of ways to add greenery to your home and grow your own food even if you don’t have an outdoor space.

One option is to place pots on your windowsills and plant your own herb seeds and vegetables seeds. Keeping these near the kitchen means fresh herbs will be readily available to add to any meal.

Seasonal herbs and vegetables

Each season brings different climates, so it’s important to know what herbs, fruit and vegetables to grow during different times of the year.

Different regions in Australia also have different climates, so it’s good to know what will grow best where you live.

You can brush up on this using our planting and growing section.

Watering your kitchen garden

Once you’ve set up your kitchen garden, big or small, it’s important to ensure it remains healthy and continues to flourish over time. You’ll need to think about ways you can keep your garden hydrated without using too much water.

To keep your garden moist, you can build your own compost or buy some mulch to cover the soil around your plants which will reduce the need to water the garden and save you money.

Organic fertilisers are also ideal for gardens and controlled release fertilisers are best for pots. Regular applications of seaweed solution and liquid fertilisers will also ensure your kitchen garden remains healthy.

More D.I.Y. Advice

Saving Energy How to save power: Four energy saving tips Using less energy in and around the home isn’t just good for your wallet – it’s great for the environment too. Just follow these tips from Bunnings.

Saving Energy Energy and money saving tips for summer There are a few simple energy and money saving things that you can do to reduce the heat in your home throughout summer and save on your power bills.

02:21

Saving Energy How to save energy around the home We lift the lid on where you can save the most energy in your home, no matter who you are or where you live. These simple changes will help to reduce energy costs and keep your home comfortable all year.

Saving Water Eight ways to save water at home It’s easy to make water saving a priority in your daily life or even when tackling weekend projects around the house and garden.

Man on ladder cutting high tree branches

02:41

Paths & Landscaping How to remove a tree Learn how to safely cut down unwanted trees.

05:11

Paths & Landscaping How to lay pavers A paved area is an attractive, versatile addition to any backyard. Easy to lay and cost effective, we’ll show you how to lay pavers in a stretcher bond pattern.

Paths & Landscaping Add colour to your garden After a cold grey winter, spring is the perfect time to brighten up your garden. While flowers are one solution, there are plenty of other easy and inexpensive ways to add a splash of colour to your outdoors.

07:40

Paths & Landscaping How to build a brick letterbox Find out everything you need to know to help you build a brick letterbox for your front yard.

03:15

Paths & Landscaping How to lay stepping stones Find out how easy it is to lay stepping stones down in your garden.

03:13

Planting & Growing How to make a wire espalier trellis A wire espalier trellis can help transform a garden or courtyard into an attractive, lush and modern outdoor space.

01:10

Paths & Landscaping How to remove tree stumps Learn the easiest way to remove tree stumps by yourself.

Planting & Growing How to create an allergy-friendly garden If you suffer from hay fever or other allergies, then being out in the garden can, at times, be less than enjoyable. But there are some steps you can take to create an allergy-friendly garden so you can spend more time gardening and less time sneezi...

Outdoor Living Five D.I.Y. ideas to update your outdoors Autumn is a great time of the year to tick off a few D.I.Y. projects from your to-do list. Here are a few good ideas to get you started.

Planters How to choose the right plant pot Pots are a great way to add colour, interest or texture to your outdoor space. Tuscan Path’s Elaine Foster shares her top tips on how to choose the perfect pot.

Planting & Growing How to plant and care for sunflowers Sunflowers are a great way to add colour to your garden, and they’re easy to grow and care for. Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katie explains the basics of how to grow sunflowers and shares some tips on how to care for them.

Planting & Growing How to care for orchids Orchids are a low-maintenance flower that can be grown indoors or outside in a protected location. And, with a little care, they will provide you with lots of colour.

Guides & Projects How to upcycle almost any piece of furniture with paint Rather than throwing out old household items, you can restore them with paint. It’s a quick, easy and affordable way to give anything from furniture to fences a new lease on life. Learn how to paint and prepare different surfaces to get the finish y...

Planters D.I.Y. balcony and courtyard garden Even if your outdoor space is limited to a balcony or courtyard, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on having a garden. The team at Tuscan Path, who have been supplying pots to the Australian marketplace for over 40 years, share some ideas on how ...

Benchtops & Cabinets A guide to kitchen benchtop materials The perfect benchtop will add style to any kitchen. It’ll also see the most action, so choosing the right benchtop for your kitchen – and budget – is an important decision explains Bunnings Kitchen Designer Ben Carey.