BTKW Chef's Garden 2009

View of the estate and part of the garden. We just built several raised beds right on the lawn!
Herbs are in a separate location .

Not only do I love to cook, I also love to garden! This year at Beyond The Kitchen Wall I was able to plant a large vegetable and herb garden. There is nothing better than growing your own fresh fruits and vegetables. Everyone who loves to cook should strive to grow some sort of garden, even if it is just a pot of herbs on a small balcony. I love working with fresh, local produce. I am constantly wandering around the local Farmers' Markets looking for the freshest treasures of the season. This year I will have produce from the farm and from the garden! I am very excited, and I can't wait to serve my fresh veggies to the family that I work for. They are in for some real treats.

The garden is organic, of course. It consists of several raised beds that were built right on the lawn in the backyard. A majority of the plants were placed in these beds, but there are other smaller spots that were commandeered for vegetables and herbs. The herbs were planted as close to the kitchen as possible. Basically, I have turned a great estate on Chicago's North Shore into a farm. Does that make me a Gentleman Farmer??? It is going to be a great season!

I wanted to share some pictures of my garden with you, and give a list of everything that I planted this year. I have been very busy, and my hard work seems to be paying off. The weather has been unseasonably cool so far this year, so some of the crops got off to a slow start. The cruciferous vegetables however, are thriving!

Chives in bloom

French Fingerling Potatoes

My first Tomato of the season!

Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Cabbages

First head of Broccoli!

Raspberries

Tomato bed

Rainbow Swiss Chard

Bush Beans

Shallots

Red and Yellow Onions

Garlic

This year I planted (not in any particular order) :

• French Thyme
• Italian Parsley
• Basil, various
  
• Sage
• Cilantro
• French Lavender
  
• Lemon Grass
• Lemon Balm
• Lovage
  
• Dill
• Oregano
• Summer Savory
• Chervil
• Chives
• Garlic Chives
• Rosemary
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brasica Cauliflower
• Cabbages
• Corn
• Artichokes
• Tomatoes, various
• Peppers, various
• Chiles, various
• Onions, red and yellow
• Pickling Cucumbers
• Charentais Melons
• French Fingerling Potatoes
• Rainbow Swiss Chard
• Parsnips
• Bush Beans, green, yellow, and purple
• Beets, red and gold
• Fennel
• Carrots, multi-colored
• Butternut Squash
• Delicata Squash
• Patty Pan Squash
• Pumpkins