If you’re eager to try growing the ingredients for your favorite dishes, why not create a garden themed around your go-to recipes? It’s a fun and practical way to get kids excited about gardening while growing fresh produce that can be directly enjoyed on the dinner table. Here are three creative garden plans, each based around popular recipes.
Pizza Garden Plan
The pizza garden is a classic favorite, combining fun and functionality. This garden plan allows you to grow all the fresh toppings for your homemade pizza, with the garden shaped like a pizza itself. This way, it’s easy to see the connection between what you’re growing and what’s going to end up on your plate!
At the center, place tomatoes – the key ingredient for pizza sauce. Surround the tomatoes with other popular pizza toppings, divided into slices. Your family’s preferences will determine the exact mix. Some common choices include chilies, oregano, basil, onions, spinach, or garlic. Although cheese is an essential topping, growing your own is a bit tricky – you might need to rethink the idea of a milking cow in your garden!
To help keep everything neat, you can separate each “slice” with wooden strips or another material. Don’t forget to add borage and marigolds around the edges; these flowers help attract beneficial insects and add beauty to the garden.
Salsa Recipe Garden Plan
If you enjoy making your own salsa, why not grow all the ingredients needed right in your garden? Freshly picked ingredients elevate the flavor and satisfaction of a homemade salsa. This plan works best in a sunny, sheltered spot, ideally against a wall or fence.
Tomatoes are the foundation of your salsa, and you can either grow them on a trellis or with the help of stakes or tomato cages to prevent them from flopping. For added flavor, include both red and yellow onions, chilies, garlic, and cilantro. You can also experiment with herbs like basil for an extra layer of flavor. Similar to the pizza garden, borage and calendula are added for pest control, color, and the bonus of edible flowers that can serve as a garnish.
If you live in a climate suitable for it, or can bring them indoors, consider growing a dwarf lime in a pot – the perfect addition for your salsa. And of course, all you’ll need are some tortilla chips to complete the experience!
Salad Bar Garden Plan
For those who crave fresh, vibrant salads, a salad bar garden is a fantastic option. This plan can easily be scaled to fit your available space, offering endless possibilities for customization. You can grow a variety of vegetables and herbs depending on your tastes and what you love to add to salads.
Tomatoes, arugula, celery, chives, radishes, and beets can all be great additions. You might also want to grow your own cucumbers for tzatziki or pickles, or potatoes for a homemade potato salad. Adding fresh herbs like mint, which can quickly spread, is a great idea – but make sure it’s in a separate pot to control its growth.
To make your garden more colorful and inviting, plant marigolds, calendula, and nasturtium among the vegetables. These edible flowers not only add beauty to the space but also make a delightful topping for your garden-fresh salad.
Grow Your Own Recipes
The number of plants needed for these recipes depends on your garden size, how often you want to harvest, and how much your family eats. You can use a garden planner to determine exactly how many plants you’ll need and the best planting times for your area.
Recipe-themed gardens can go beyond pizza, salsa, or salad. You could grow the ingredients for a stir-fry, soup, or even herbal teas. The possibilities are only limited by your creativity and the flavors you love. We’d love to hear about your own recipe-themed garden ideas – feel free to share them with us in the comments!
