A salsa garden.
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Garden planning time is here.
The past few years of gardening I’ve been a little over eager, literally biting off more that we can chew. Yes, I confess. I’ve had a little obsession with tomatoes.
So this year, we simplify.
I’m gonna call it a salsa garden. All the proper salsa players will be present. Of course there will be goodness other than salsa created with fresh from the garden produce. But fresh salsa is definitely one of the things we all enjoy during the summer. There will certainly be a share of sauces and pesto churned out as well. Can’t complain about that that I suppose.
There’ll be tomatillos, tomatoes…
A variety of peppers and onion…
As well as our regular herb garden, with thyme, oregano, cilantro, to name a few.
Looking forward to see the basil pop up from all these seeds.
Yes, a salsa garden.
It’s basic. It’s functional. It’s manageable. Which is exactly what I need right now.
Plus, to add to the to-do list, we officially begin our journey into beekeeping. We have boxes to prepare, books to read, bees to pick up.
My hope is to keep our bees alive, eat salsa, and next year, maybe even enjoy some honey.
So, this year, less is best. It’s a must to find the ever elusive balance we all seem to struggle with. And in the process we’ll have some darn good salsa.
What garden plans do have have for this year?
I hear you on the “biting off more than you can chew” piece. I had eggplants coming out my ears last summer but precious few large tomatoes. This year I’m widening my growing season by getting kale in the ground in two weeks. I love kale and I can’t wait to have three varieties growing. Then when it’s warm enough, I’ll be rotating in warmer crops. Like extra tomatoes. Because I share your love there as well. Favorite varieties that made the cut for your salsa garden?
Hey friend!
Two of my favorite tomato varieties so far are: Costoluto Genovese (lovely and good for sauces) and German Johnson (perfect for tomato sandwiches).
~ Amy
Envious of your bees! That’s on our “to do” list for next year. I’m always projecting with tomatoes, what is your favorite for salsa? I’m planning to grow San Marzano and Romas. Basil isn’t for salsa, but I started my basil seeds this week. Dreaming of Spring!
I officially have a black thumb. I can’t even get rosemary to grow. I’m going to try again this year, with planters around the deck, in the hopes that I can keep the wild animals away from them too. I want to grow rosemary, basil, mint, and dill. I really hope I can pull it off.
We are planning on planting what few vegetables we will grow in the flower beds up against the house. We have a problem with deer and high tides. Salt water will kill a garden overnight as it did in 2009. Living on a tital crrek has its disadvantages. This year it will be bush cucumbers, parsley, dill, a few tomatoes the rest will have to come from down the road at King’s Market. If you have never been to King’s Market on Edisto during the growing season you have missed a real treat. Amy that may be a good place to show on your website. Flowers and all. Love to all.
I’m so excited to hear about your bee adventures!! And your salsa garden is just beautiful!!
Oh my! I am drooling over that top photo of your plans. I have until May before anything will go in the ground, but I need to start thinking about it now because last year we had overcrowding issues with overly prolific plants early on and then a lack of tomatoes by the end of the season because of it. I can’t wait to stick a Mr. Stripey in there again, though.
My husband has bees at work, and I think they’re just so much fun. I can’t wait to hear the updates!
Will you plan my garden for me? I need your green thumb and experience — for real!
Sounds like a great plan for a great summer. I’m jealous of your gardening skills and can’t wait to see those bees producing!
Wow! Love it! You have totally inspired me to get my rooftop deck done (need to finish tiling it…) because this is where my rooftop garden is going to go. I LOVE the idea of a salsa garden!
Oh, I just LOVE this idea! I always have odds and ends of things in my garden (garden planning isn’t exactly my forte) and then I never know what to do with it. I will definitely have to focus on salsa ingredients this year, too, since tomatoes and peppers are some of my favorites! I always plants TONS of herbs, because I love to cook with them and use them in jams, jellies, etc. I also have a slight obsession with pumpkin and squash… Last year they kind of took over my whole backyard. 🙂
Amen to balance! I’m soooooooo on the same page! Can’t wait to see (and taste) all of the Bee golden goodness!
And the salsa too!
My husband and I built our first home together last summer. This is our first garden together and I have an incredibly brown thumb. I have purchased my seeds and he is planning the raised beds that he will build me. I love to can my own salsa so those ingredients will be in our garden. I think I have totally purchased way too many seeds. I have a packet for almost every vegetable known to mankind. I am being a little over zealous for my first time out 🙂 Loved your post….happy planning! P.S. Any advice for first time gardeners would be more than welcome 🙂
That’s fantastic!!! I’m planning the kitchen garden, too, and I love the idea of a salsa garden. Unfortunately, I have to grow veggies in pots but I don’t give up! Btw, what kind of peppers do you plant? I’m eager to find some good varieties. 🙂
What I wouldn’t give to be able to have a garden like yours! Living in the city it’s there’s no way I could ever have such a beautiful garden, *sigh*. I can’t believe you even are getting your own honey too!
This is really making me itchy for spring. I bit off too much last year, too. I will be honing in this spring, concentrating on fewer items. Tomatoes are a must. And I haven’t planted cucumbers for many years – am thinking to give that a try again, as I’ve been wanting to make some homemade pickles. We also have a good size raspberry patch & a separate herb garden. I’m looking forward to hearing about your bees!!
Amazing! Love the idea of a salsa garden. oh I do hope you’ll keep us abreast of the progress – right down to the jar!
those are some mighty fine looking bee hives Amy – wow!! cannot wait to hear about your bee experience!!!
Oooh, I love this! So beautiful and practical and my husband would especially love it. Too bad I live in an apartment in a huge city with no yard, haha. I’ll have to pass it along to my mom! I’d love for you to submit this to the M&T Spotlight at http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
I love stuff like this! Our CSA owner made a “pizza garden” last year; it was a large circle and in each “slice” was planted different kinds of tomatoes, basil, Italian parsley, etc. Such fun!
Your photos are so beautiful! Aside from the bees (I’m allergic), I will be doing the same thing. Looking forward to this snow going away!