A Sustainable Garden

It may be only late January but it's time to think about vegetable gardens. You can start planning a sustainable one for the Spring. Not only will you help in locavore cooking you'll be helping the planet too.

One of the most fun things about gardening is planning it with your family. Include the kids in it and they will not only learn more about green gardening they'll also take an interest in green cooking too. How to start? Give your backyard a really good look. Where do you want this garden? In a bright sunny patch? Out of the way of foot traffic? Bordering the patio? Of course take in consideration where  what you choose will survive. Then begin drawing up specs and  sketches about where you want the plants. Consider building small protective fences with repurposed wood along with building a compost heap for your food scrape and grass clippings. Next decide what you want to grow. Try opting for native climate-appropriate ones. You may want to check natural areas such as woodlands along with getting advice from local garden experts. The last is also the best bet for shopping for shoots and seeds. Make sure that your chosen veggies are hardy and high yielding inside your climatic soil and elevation.

What veggies should you grow? The ones that you like however there are certain ones that work well in a sustainable garden. Tomatoes are always popular and you can save the seeds for late summer planting or for the next year. They are so versatile, going from freshly eaten with just sea salt to sauces , sandwiches and salads. Cherry tomatoes are a fun grow for little gardeners and just a fun snack. Another easy grow are shallots. They have the same flavor as their cousin - the onion - and can be used in everything from salads to stir fries. A plus is that they take up half the space that the onion would in a garden. They also require less care too. Garlic is another easy plant and can even be raised in pots around the patio. The bulbs are an easy harvest and you can harvest one bulb while letting the others mature. As we all know garlic is one of the best additions to any savory dish. Try fresh bulbs in the famed Italian sauce aglia olio or roast garlic cloves on the grill, adding them to salads or marinades. Leafy greens meaning any kind of lettuce is a plus. They can be Romaine for Caesar salads or iceberg for a tasty wedge drench in blue cheese. Another veggie is the beet. This is an easy grow and can be made into a tasty sweet salad for summer barbecues.

It may be winter but it's time to start thinking of  sustainable gardens. Deciding what you want to do and want to plant will save time later on. Plot and choose now for a veggie patch that will not only benefit your family but also the Earth too.