Vegetable Garden: Soil to Table

Elevate your garden game with these innovative edible ideas for a vegetable garden

Most summer gardens are in full swing with a bounty of fruits and vegetables ready to be harvested. But consider going beyond the basic tomato plants and cucumber vines. Here are a few ideas to expand on the traditional outdoor vegetable garden.

Edible Ideas

Herbalicious

Simple herbs can be one of the easiest things to plant in an edible garden. Many herbs can be grown indoors — or out —so they are perfect for any climate and any space. Herbs are low-maintenance and all varieties are quick to sprout and will grow within the space you give them. Use a small pot or to fill space in a larger garden or raised bed.

Start with a couple of herbs and you’ll soon have a full counter or garden of fresh flavors to add to your meals. From fresh to dried, home-grown herbs add extra flavor to most dishes.

Microgreens Mania
Microgreens have become quite popular and can be found at many local farmer’s markets. The small but mighty greens are a simple, yet impactful way to add flavor.

High in vitamins and nutrients, microgreens are the young seedlings of edible fruits and vegetables and have an intense flavor of the mature plant. This makes microgreens the perfect addition to salads and avocado toast, as well as a great garnish on most any dish.

These plants are easy to find and even easier to grow. They grow easily in a tray and with a little attention, typically indoors. We recommend beginning with a kit available from Greens to Glow or other local farmers. These kits make it easy to get started with everything you need to grow these tasty greens—tray, soil, and seeds. Not interested in growing them yourself? Microgreens can be found at many of our local farmer’s markets.

Flower Feast

Fine dining restaurants have been using edible flowers for years to add color and flavor to food. With many varieties of edible flowers now available, plan your garden for year-round growth. Edible flowers can flourish indoors, so if you’re short on outdoor space, this could be another great option to add to your edible garden.

A few more nontraditional items to consider: