Growing A Garden For Everyday Use
Written by Brittany Fischer
Each year I always look forward to planting the garden with my daughter. She loves to help plant, water, and harvest.
This is a time that I will always cherish no matter how the garden turns out that year because, let’s face it, some years are better than others.
Each year is a learning experience, and every year I try to learn a few new things. One of the things I learned about is Companion Planting, which can enhance the taste of your veggies. It is also important because there are things you don’t want to plant next to each other. I have found a lot of helpful charts on Pinterest. Something else I’ve learned and implemented in my own garden is the importance of mixing in a few flowers and plants that will attract pollinators. I have a lavender bush next to my garden bed to help attract bees. Rotating the area of the garden that you plant things in every few years is also a good idea because different plants need different nutrients and if you plant the same things in the same areas, it will eventually deplete your soil. I hope you find these tips I’ve learned over the years helpful too!
Things that I’ve grown from my garden that I like to make:
Tomato sauce
My go-to tomato sauce couldn’t be any easier—simply mix your tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh minced garlic, all to taste. Roast at 400° for about 30 minutes, depending on how many tomatoes you have, and once cooked, blend and strain.
Herbs
We use the herbs frequently; also green onions and chives on top of scrambled eggs or omelettes. My daughter loves picking “fresh ingredients” for our meals.
Greens
Kale and mixed greens make for easy salads. Combined with cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, or any other vegetable, fruit, or herb you may grow—the options are endless.
Homemade Pickles
Cucumbers are also great for homemade pickles. Here is a recipe for one of my family’s favorites. These also make great gifts!
Zucchini and Yellow Squash
Both veggies make for yummy side dishes like this Mediterranean grilled zucchini salad or roast them with some garlic and Parmesan, and are always a great addition to shish-kebabs.
Strawberries
Strawberries don’t usually last long enough to make it into any recipes—they basically get rinsed and eaten right away!
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