How to Create Your First Kitchen Garden with Wooden Planters

There’s something magical about stepping outside your back door and picking fresh herbs for dinner. Last week, I watched my neighbour harvest cherry tomatoes from her wooden planter – the same woman who claimed she “couldn’t grow weeds” just six months ago. Her success story started with a single raised bed and a handful of herb seeds.

Starting a kitchen garden feels overwhelming when you’re staring at an empty patio or patch of grass. Where do you begin? What should you plant? How deep should the soil be? The beauty of wooden planters lies in their simplicity – they turn gardening into manageable, bite-sized projects that even complete beginners can master.

Why Choose a Raised Bed or Planter?

Your back might thank you before your taste buds do. Raised beds eliminate the need to crouch on damp ground, making gardening accessible whether you’re 25 or 75. My aunt switched to raised beds after years of struggling with her arthritic knees. Now she tends her vegetables standing upright, with everything at the perfect height.

The Benefits: Better Drainage, Superior Soil Control, and Less Bending!

• Better drainage – Rain pools around ground-level plantings, but raised beds shed excess water naturally
• Complete soil control – Start fresh with perfect growing medium instead of battling clay or sandy garden soil
• Ergonomic height – No more kneeling on wet ground or straining your back
• Defined growing space – Clear boundaries make planning and maintenance simpler
• Extended growing season – Raised soil warms up faster in spring
• Pest protection – Harder for slugs and some ground-dwelling pests to reach plants

 
Choosing the Right Size and Shape for Your Space

Planter Size	Best For	Space Needed	Suitable Plants
1.2m x 0.6m	Patios, beginners	2m x 1.5m area	Herbs + salad leaves
1.8m x 0.9m	Small gardens	2.5m x 2m area	Mixed vegetables
2.4m x 1.2m	Serious growing	3.5m x 2.5m area	Full vegetable crops

 
Square planters work beautifully in corners or against walls. Round planters create focal points in the centre of garden spaces. The key lies in measuring your available space first, then choosing planters that leave comfortable walking room around all sides.

Step 1: Preparing Your Wooden Planter for Planting

Check for drainage holes before anything else. Wooden planters should have gaps between the base slats or pre-drilled holes. Water needs an escape route, or your plants will suffer root rot within weeks.

To Line or Not to Line?

This question divides gardeners like Marmite divides breakfast tables. Here’s what you need to know:

Plastic Liners:

• Extend planter lifespan by protecting wood from moisture
• Must have drainage holes pierced to match planter drainage
• Can create waterlogging if holes don’t align properly

 
Fabric Liners:

• Allow air movement while slowing soil loss
• Permit natural drainage while retaining structure
• Biodegradable options available

 
No Liner:

• Accepts natural weathering and decomposition
• Allows maximum air circulation
• Requires acceptance that wood will need eventual replacement

 
Consider your location when deciding. Exposed, windy spots benefit from liners that prevent soil from blowing away. Sheltered positions can often manage without.

Step 2: Filling Your Planter with the Perfect Soil Mix

Garden soil seems logical but creates problems in containers. It compacts when confined, limiting root growth and drainage. Clay soil becomes waterlogged. Sandy soil drains too quickly for container plants.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Soil From Your Garden

• Compacts in containers, restricting root growth
• Often contains weed seeds and pest larvae
• Drainage characteristics unsuitable for confined spaces
• Nutrient levels may be inadequate for intensive container growing
• Disease organisms can build up quickly in containers

 
Choosing the Right Potting Mix for Vegetables and Herbs

Base Material	Percentage	Purpose	Notes
Multi-purpose compost	60-70%	Foundation	Choose peat-free varieties
Perlite or vermiculite	20-25%	Drainage/aeration	White granules improve structure
Garden compost	10-15%	Nutrients/biology	Well-rotted organic matter
Sharp sand	5%	Drainage	Particularly good for herbs

How Much Soil Do I Need?

Planter Dimensions	Volume Needed	Bags Required (25L)
1.2m x 0.6m x 0.2m	140 litres	6 bags
1.8m x 0.9m x 0.2m	320 litres	13 bags
2.4m x 1.2m x 0.2m	580 litres	24 bags

 
Calculate volume by multiplying length x width x depth in centimetres, then dividing by 1,000 for litres. Round up slightly – it’s better to have extra soil than run short halfway through planting.

Step 3: Choosing Your Plants – What to Grow in the UK

Easy-to-Grow Herbs

Perfect starting choices for nervous beginners:

• Mint – Grows enthusiastically (keep contained to prevent takeover)
• Parsley – Produces leaves continuously when cut regularly
• Rosemary – Tolerates neglect and provides year-round harvests
• Chives – Emerge early, produce until autumn, attractive purple flowers
• Oregano – Spreads to fill space, intense flavour from small leaves
• Thyme – Drought tolerant once established, perfect for Mediterranean cooking

 
Beginner-Friendly Vegetables

Quick wins that build confidence:

• Salad leaves (rocket, lettuce, spinach) – Harvest in 6-8 weeks
• Radishes – Ready in just 30 days for instant gratification
• Spring onions – Use both green tops and white bulbs
• Bush tomatoes – Compact plants with full-sized fruit
• French beans – Climb supports, heavy yields from small plants
• Courgettes – One plant feeds a family (if you can use them all!)

 
Companion Flowers to Attract Pollinators

Add colour while supporting garden ecology:

• Marigolds – Repel pests, attract beneficial insects, bright orange blooms
• Nasturtiums – Edible flowers and leaves with peppery taste
• Calendula – Support pollinators, excellent cut flowers
• Sweet alyssum – Low-growing white flowers, honey scent

 

Step 4: Planting and Long-Term Care

How to Correctly Space Your Plants

Overcrowding kills more container plants than under-watering. Plants need air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Plant Type	Spacing Required	Plants per 1.2m Planter
Large vegetables (tomatoes, peppers)	30-40cm	2-3 plants
Medium herbs (rosemary, oregano)	15-20cm	4-6 plants
Small herbs (chives, parsley)	10-15cm	6-8 plants
Salad leaves	5-10cm	12-20 plants

 
A Simple Guide to Watering Your Planter

Follow this daily routine:

• Check moisture – Press finger 2cm into soil surface
• Water thoroughly – When top layer feels dry, water until it runs from drainage holes
• Water slowly – Ensure entire root zone receives moisture, not just surface
• Time it right – Morning watering allows plants to dry before evening
• Target the soil – Avoid watering leaves directly to reduce disease risk

 
When and How to Feed Your Plants for the Best Harvest

Timing	Feeding Method	Best For	Application Rate
4-6 weeks after planting	Liquid feed	Quick results	Weekly during growing season
At planting	Slow-release granules	Steady nutrition	Follow packet instructions
Monthly	Organic seaweed extract	Soil health	Dilute as directed
Bi-weekly	Fish emulsion	Heavy feeders	Half-strength for herbs

 
Remember: herbs generally need less feeding than vegetables. Over-fed herbs often produce lush leaves with reduced flavour intensity.

Start Your Gardening Journey Today

Growing your own food connects you to seasons and soil in ways that supermarket shopping never can. The first time you harvest sun-warmed tomatoes from your own planter, you’ll understand why gardeners become obsessed with their hobby.

Small successes build confidence for bigger projects. This year’s herb planter might inspire next year’s full vegetable garden. Every expert gardener started with a single pot and a packet of seeds.

Ready to begin your growing adventure? Browse our range of wooden raised beds and planters to find the perfect starting point for your kitchen garden. Your future self will thank you for taking this first step towards homegrown flavours.