In recent years, there has been a timely resurgence in home gardening.
With concerns over food security, a desire for sustainability, associated health benefits, and the simple joy of nurturing plants, more people are turning to their own backyards, balconies, or even windowsills to grow their own produce.
Not only does homegrown produce offer unmatched freshness and flavor, but it also fosters a deeper connection to the food we eat.
If you're considering starting your own home garden, here's a guide to the 7 best pieces of produce to cultivate right at home.
As a reminder, we share more advice on how to succeed as an at-home gardener via our weekly Growers Club newsletter: Subscribe here! 🗞️
Now, let's dive in!
1. Herbs 🌿
Herbs are the gateway to gardening for many beginners.
They're low-maintenance, versatile, and can thrive in small spaces like window sills or kitchen counters.
Popular choices include basil, rosemary, mint, parsley, and cilantro. Fresh herbs can be a tasty addition to recipes, whether sprinkled on salads, stirred into sauces, or infused into beverages.
Homemade mojitos anyone?
2. Salad Greens 🥗
Nothing beats the taste of a crisp, freshly picked salad.
Lettuce varieties like loose-leaf, romaine, and butterhead are easy to grow and don't require much space.
Additionally, you can grow arugula, spinach, kale, and other leafy greens for a nutrient-packed harvest year-round, especially if you have a sunny spot.
These leafy crops prefer moist soil and can quickly wilt if they become too dry. With a Marly self-watering planter, you can ensure that your salad greens stay hydrated and crisp, allowing you to harvest a continuous supply of nutritious leaves for your salads and sandwiches.
3. Peppers 🌶️
Add a little spice to your life with your own pepper plant!
Like tomatoes, peppers appreciate consistent moisture to thrive. Self-watering planters provide an ideal environment for pepper plants, ensuring that they receive the water they need without the risk of overwatering or underwatering.
Whether you prefer sweet bell peppers or spicy chili peppers, growing your own peppers can add vibrant color and flavor to your meals.
Peppers are well-suited to container gardening, making them ideal for balconies or patios. With proper care and warmth, pepper plants can produce an abundant harvest throughout the growing season.
4. Strawberries 🍓
Imagine the satisfaction of waking up and plucking ripe, juicy strawberries straight from the vine in your own home.
Strawberries are perfect for home gardens because they're compact, perennial, and incredibly rewarding. Even those with limited space can grow strawberries in hanging baskets or vertical towers.
These juicy fruits require regular watering to develop properly. Self-watering containers like those from Marly are cleverly designed to make use of capillary action and take the guesswork out of growing.
With proper care and attention, you can enjoy a continuous harvest of these delicious and colorful fruits.
More into sangria than salads? Strawberries taste great when added to summer cocktails too!
5. Tomatoes 🍅
Tomatoes are the crown jewels of many home gardens. With countless varieties available, from cherry tomatoes to beefsteak, there's a type suitable for every gardener's taste and space.
Tomatoes thrive in warm, sunny conditions. These thirsty plants benefit greatly from consistent moisture levels, which help prevent issues like blossom end rot and cracking.
With a self-watering planter, you can ensure that your tomato plants receive a steady supply of water, resulting in juicy, flavorful fruits throughout the growing season.
Enjoy them fresh off the vine, roasted in the oven, or blended into sauces and salsas!
6. Microgreens 🥬
Be honest, how much have you spent on takeout salads and smoothies this year? Well, it’s time to save a few dollars and grow those greens yourself.
Microgreens might be small in size, but they're packed with flavor and nutrients.
These tender young greens are harvested when they're just a few inches tall and can be grown indoors year-round.
Popular microgreens include arugula, kale, radish, and broccoli. Add them to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies for an extra nutritional boost.
Go green and save some green while you’re at it!
7. Culinary Mushrooms 🍄
For something a little different, consider growing your own culinary mushrooms.
While not technically plants, mushrooms can be cultivated at home with relative ease using mushroom-growing kits or by inoculating logs with mushroom spawn.
From oyster mushrooms to shiitake, homegrown fungi add an earthy umami flavor to various dishes.
Who needs to forage in the woods when you can pull these tasty treats straight from your home garden?
Homegrown produce is the future!
Getting into home gardening offers numerous benefits, from fostering self-sufficiency to promoting healthier eating habits.
By growing your own produce, you not only reduce your carbon footprint but also gain a newfound appreciation for the natural world. Plus, you can save a few pennies in the process!
Whether you have acres of land or just a few planters on your windowsill, there's something immensely satisfying about harvesting and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
So, roll up your sleeves, dig in the dirt, and start cultivating your own slice of freshness right at home. Happy gardening!
–
For weekly advice on how to be the best gardener you can be, subscribe to our Growers Club newsletter. It’s free and is packed with tips, tricks and gardening entertainment!