Gardening unveils an abundance of great life lessons. From tilling rich soil in the spring to harvesting the final flowers and fruit, gardens yield more than the simple fruits, vegetables and flowers. A good garden teaches patience and peace. A great garden holds memories of delicious meals shared with loved ones and graced with fragrant and beautiful arrangements for months on end. From an apartment balcony to a full backyard, each garden of mine has had advice, cuttings and conversations from neighbors and friends included in its design and function.

 

 

Red velvet snapdragons
Red velvet snapdragons

FlowersGood summer choices for cutting and bringing indoors include colorful zinnias, dahlias (depending on location), roses, snapdragons and cosmos. Cosmos have the added advantage of being kind to those of us with allergies. I love to mix them up in bouquets and surprise a neighbor or friend to liven up their day. Another great idea: snip a few flowers before going to a friend’s cook-out. Lay them in a simple piece of tissue paper and tie them with a pretty ribbon as a hostess gift. What better way to say thank you than with something you’ve grown. Tip: If you have a long drive, keep flowers fresh by wrapping the cut end of the stems with a wet paper towel, and sealing in a zip-locked sandwich bag. The bag is covered by the tissue paper and keeps your beautiful flowers hydrated!

Fruits, Veggies & Herbs What tastes better than food harvested minutes ago? When having guests over, I often enlist them with gathering a finishing herb like basil. They love being a part of the harvest, and often marvel about the freshness of the meal. See if your family would like to plant something at their own home to contribute when you get together, and teach little ones how to pick beans, spot a ripe tomato, or join in the excitement of watching a pumpkin grow. I find many cooks – even accomplished ones – still struggle with using fresh herbs for cooking. Tip: Fresh herbs do not have the same concentration as dried herbs. A rule of thumb is to use 3 times the quantity of fresh herbs to achieve the same flavor intensity of dried.

 

 

 

Tomatoes from the garden
Tomatoes from the garden

Tomatoes Loaded with lutein and packed with vitamin C, these garden lions are easy to grow, fit into almost any type of cuisine and have been known to qualify as both a fruit and a vegetable! Versatile in the kitchen, tomatoes grace everything from a simple side dish to a key ingredient in salsa, marinara, juice or soup.

– Try heirloom tomatoes for intense flavors and a rainbow of colors – from black to gold!
Heirlooms hold so much juice, they are best simply sliced and served.
– Romas or plum tomatoes shine as an ingredient. Romas are best in salsas, soups and  sauces. Many chefs prefer to remove the skin and seeds to produce a smooth flavor.
– Better Boys, Best Boys and other slicing tomatoes pair well with sliced fresh onions as a side dish or burger topping.
– Cherry or grape tomatoes can make a healthy refreshing treat, you just pop in your mouth. These varieties come in red and yellow.

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