Brian Metzger, who owns and operates jaxKitchen with his wife Sandy, says homegrown vegetables could be showing up on his menu as early as this summer, thanks to a new chef’s garden.

Metzger said via e-mail that the entire staff of the restaurant and Noel Patterson (formerly of Hacienda del Sol and VinTabla) pitched in to dig and plant the garden on a plot of land in Barrio Viejo. He said vegetables have been planted, and plans are being developed to integrate them into meals at the popular northwest-side eatery.

“We are really excited that we will be able to offer our guests farm-to-table food, at jaxKitchen prices!” wrote Metzger in the e-mail. “We plan on our chef Casey McQueen having a ‘chef’s garden menu’ beginning hopefully in mid-June and running throughout October which will feature whatever the earth plans … in an ever-changing combination of flavors.”

An entry on the restaurant’s website says the vegetables will be featured on a tasting menu that will change almost daily. The entry also says that pictures and news will soon be posted on a new blog focusing on the garden.

Metzger is also looking for volunteers interested in helping out with some garden work. Call 219-1235 for more information.

In related news, jaxKitchen unveils a new menu this Wednesday, and now offers al fresco dining at a couple of tables on the sidewalk in front of the eatery.