Hey everyone! My wife and I are super excited because we've just secured our first 4x8x2 raised bed in our community garden (Zone 8 in GA), and it opens up for planting in late March. This is our first serious gardening adventure, but we have some experienced neighbors to guide us. As adventurous cooks, we really want to grow kitchen ingredients that are hard to find in stores. I've seen some suggestions for things like walking onions and those delicious garlic scapes. We're also interested in uncommon herbs like lovage and unique pepper varieties. Do you have any recommendations for what we should plant this spring? Also, any tips for what to consider for fall planting? We're hoping for plentiful yield, but our main goal is to enhance our culinary creations! Thanks!
5 Answers
Since you’re just starting out, I'd recommend growing your favorite fruits and veggies, but try some unique versions of them. For example, if you love carrots, consider trying purple carrots or rainbow varieties—they can add some fun to your dishes! Heirloom tomatoes are another great option, and if you're feeling adventurous, go for fancy varieties like San Marzanos for pasta sauce.
If you're aiming for garlic scapes, definitely go for hard-neck garlic since that's what produces them. I’ve had success with it here in California, and it tends to be spicier than the soft-neck varieties. Just keep in mind, you have to plant garlic in the fall, which is nice because it's timed with the end of summer crops!
How about trying out ground cherries or huckleberries? They aren't commonly found at grocery stores and can be unique additions to your meals. Additionally, you could dabble in unusual pepper or tomato varieties. Just remember, rhubarb is another unique choice, but be cautious with its poisonous leaves if you decide to grow it in the community garden.
Definitely consider trellising for climbing veggies like tomatoes, peas, or beans. This will save space in your bed significantly! For peppers, there are just so many varieties, so think about what you enjoy cooking with. Walking onions are cool since they're perennial, and you might even want to explore gourmet options like elephant garlic for something different. Happy gardening!
For your raised bed, I'd suggest focusing on herbs and interesting greens that are pricier at the farmer’s market—things like heirloom tomatoes, kohlrabi, and various peppers. You might want to look into growing plants like Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish, keeping in mind their potential invasiveness. Also, planting some flowers can brighten up your garden and attract beneficial insects!