Homegrown veggies are often higher in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients, and they taste better, too. Growing season’s already getting started where I live, so I’ve been thinking about things to plant this year, but even if you live somewhere snowy, it’s not too early to start planning for spring. Why not try growing a themed garden this year? Here are some ideas for how you could do it.
Salsa Garden
There’s no need to run to the supermarket for salsa: You can enjoy fresh-from-the-garden salsa whenever you’d like by growing the ingredients in your garden. From hot and chunky to smooth and mild, you can customize your salsa to your liking using basic ingredients and spices. Most herbs and veggies used in salsa require lots of sun and are best grown in containers or raised beds. Common ingredients to plant in your salsa garden include:
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onions
- Jalapeno peppers
- Cilantro
Pizza Garden
No one can resist a slice of delicious pizza. When you create a pizza garden at home, you can enjoy Italian cuisine anytime! Start by finding a sunny spot in your yard and outlining your pizza garden with plastic, metal, or wooden edging. You can make the process more fun by creating a circular garden with “slices” that represent each ingredient. If you’re short on space, you can also plant your pizza ingredients in smaller containers. Some vegetables and herbs you may want to include in your pizza garden include:
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Onions
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Peppers
Salad Bar Garden
With access to lots of colorful veggies, you can create a variety of scrumptious salads without ever leaving home. Choose a spot in your yard that has well-drained soil and receives plenty of sunlight. To make your salad bar garden fairly low-maintenance and ensure a plentiful harvest, choose leafy greens that will grow back after being harvested. Known as “cut and come again,” plants like arugula, beet greens, basil, lettuce, and spinach can be harvested on the outside while allowing the center to continue growing new leaves. Other salad bar ingredients to consider adding to your garden include:
- Kale
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Onions
- Radishes
- Snap peas
- Celery
Tea Garden
If you are an herbal tea drinker, then having a tea garden is a must. A tea garden is not only a great place to grow and harvest herbs, but it’s also a serene spot to enjoy a cup of tea. When choosing plants for your garden, know that tea can be made from the leaves, seeds, flowers, and sometimes even the roots of certain herbs. Try making tea from some of these:
- Mint
- Lemongrass
- Rose hips
- Chamomile
- Pineapple sage
- Fennel
- Lemon balm
- Rosemary
- Lavender
Berry Garden
Ripe berries plucked right from the garden are a delicious treat! Berries can be added to a wide range of foods, such as pies, jams, and smoothies. They can also be turned into a sauce and served over cheesecake, pancakes, or ice cream. Of course, they’re also delicious when eaten on their own. Use some of your garden space to grow berries, such as:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Gooseberries
- Currants
- Mulberries