Are you considering starting a vegetable garden makeover? Or have you started vegetable gardening already? If so, this is for you. Gardening is not just about planting seeds or crops, watering them, and waiting for them to bloom. No. It’s more than that. Gardening is both art and science, and to make a masterpiece, you need the right tools and knowledge to help you out.
How satisfying is it to see your garden’s progress from day one until the first harvest, and what’s more fulfilling is the fact that you were the one who made it all possible. From plowing your soil, adding compost, keeping the crops pest-free, and overall maintenance – such an accomplishment for a home vegetable garden.
Below are some of the best vegetables to plant and their best recipes to help you further!
1. Broccoli
A cold weather lover, broccolis tend to thrive in the cold season. So, if you want to plant one, be sure that you keep the soil moist. Also, excellent partners of broccoli in your garden bed includes chamomile, peppermint, and thyme. To maintain broccolis, you can put mulch in your garden to keep the ground moist. For advice on planting broccoli, go on and check out Gardener’s Path.
The best recipe for broccoli is always paired with beef. A slow-cooked beef and broccoli with matching brown rice will undoubtedly satisfy your cravings. If you don’t want to pair broccoli with any protein, then it’s just as good. Steaming broccoli with a bit of salt is just as filling and satisfying.
2. Carrots
A garden with soft soil free from rocks and debris is the ideal place for carrots. Plant them during the spring or fall and enjoy a fresh harvest in three to four months! You must keep the soil moist by frequently watering them because carrots love well-watered grounds. Also, they prefer full sunlight, although they can tolerate a light frost.
Although carrots are used as a garnish, you can use carrots for a main. For example, carrot cakes and pies are absolutely tasty. Not only are they sweet, but they’re also healthy. Another thing you can try with these amazing root crops is sauteing them. Sauteed carrots are the perfect carrot recipe, and the kids will love it! It is a simple recipe that you can prepare in less than 20 minutes.
3. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are not difficult to grow, and you can harvest them in as early as sixty days. Remember that tomatoes are not fans of the cold weather, and yes, you’ve guessed it, they are sun lovers. Also, they don’t require a vast space; that’s why they are perfect for home gardens where the area is just right.
Almost any savory recipe includes tomatoes, and they are the rockstar when it comes to salads, pasta, and, of course, our beloved pizzas. Just toss some tomatoes in any dish, and you’ll have a classic meal with a savory taste.
4. Bell Peppers
This warm-season crop is an exquisite touch to your vegetable garden. Not only do bell peppers add color to your garden, but they are also pest-free. There are also various types of bell peppers like sweet or spicy ones, and both like a well-drained soil full of organic matter. Bell peppers are also quite healthy. In fact, a bell pepper has more vitamin c than an orange.
Moreover, bell peppers are always suitable for salads, but you can also have sweet or spicy roasted peppers. Stuffed bell peppers are amazing dishes that you can easily prepare. Hollow out the insides of large bell pepper and fill it with beef, rice, tomato sauce, cheese, and a bit of herb such as basil. Put it in an oven and when it’s done, you’ll have a tasty, healthy dish in your hands.
5. Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the best greens to plant in your garden because they have a tremendous amount of vitamin A, which boosts our immune system. They are ideal for growing in the cold seasons because they can tolerate light frost, and they tend to be crispier when produced in cold climates. A tip when harvesting lettuce is reaping them when they reach full size.
Moreover, lettuce has a spotlight when making salads. You can make a Nicoise salad, pintos salad, or even Mexican layered salad from your fresh produced leafy lettuce.
6. Potatoes
Perhaps the most popular vegetable of all – potatoes! A cold-weather crop, potatoes prefer a cold environment and well-drained, loose soil. In this way, potatoes have the perfect conditions to grow undisturbed. It will also help if you plant them at least 1 yard away from each other.
The question is, what’s your favorite potato dish? You can almost think of a dozen recipes using potatoes. You can fry them, mash them, make them into soup, and even garlic roast them! Indeed, the choices are infinite when talking about our well-adorn potatoes.
7. Basil
An aromatic herb, basils have a variety of seeds to choose from. You can opt to plant sweet basil, or lemon basil, and even Thai basil. You can plant them in pots, or you could also transfer them to your garden bed. Also, basil has this fragrance that will surely make your mornings even brighter.
Furthermore, basils are very easy to reap. Just pluck them out when they reach a desirable size, and they will continue giving you that fresh-scented herb all year round.
There are several ways to enjoy fresh produce basils. You can make it a pizza topping or a garnish for your avocado toast. But, probably the most famous of all is pesto pasta! Alternatively, you can also dry out your basis for an even stronger aroma in your food. Pasta dishes such as spaghetti, lasagna, and even carbonara benefit greatly from a bit of sprinkled dried basil.
Takeaway
Gardening is perhaps one of the most fulfilling activities that you can do in your spare time. It is something that you can take pride in. Follow the tips above, and you will undoubtedly be seeing yourself satisfied with the fresh produce you can harvest from your hard-earned vegetable garden. Work hard now and enjoy healthy vegetables later!
