Veggie Teens

Family Garden: Step 4 Eating

The best part about having a garden is the food we get from it.

Now we have fresh herbs, tomatoes, peppers (well one, which we didn't get to before the pests), and soon, cucumbers. I can't get over the delicious flavor of a tomato right off the vine.

I had a garden salad for lunch, made with leftover grilled asparagus and peppers, romaine, kalamata olives, and two little tomatoes from our garden. Even if you don't grow your own, perhaps you'd like to try this simple garden herb dressing we created with the fresh herbs from our garden. Just emulsify these ingredients with a hand blender.

Garden Herb Dressing
Serves 4 to 6 depending on the size of the salad servings

1/4 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Handful of fresh herbs (we used basil and parsley)
1 clove of garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

Enjoy!

Family Garden: Step 3 Growing

The plants we bought weren't supposed to grow produce for about 100 days, but just a month after we planted the green bell pepper, we had one growing! Our pepper plant was so slender that I had no idea how it could hold up the pepper. This photo was taken right after I noticed it but now it looks like it will be ready to eat soon.

We also have loads of tomatoes growing (five different types); the only plants we are waiting for are the cucumbers, squash, and artichokes.

We've also planted marigolds around the garden because they are supposed to be a natural insecticide. I'll write more about ecofriendly pest control in a future post.

Earth Day! Do your part and Go Green

Today is Earth Day. Here is a guide to help make your Earth Day the greenest it can be.

• Use reusable lunch bags and containers.
  

• Use refillable water bottles.

• Take canvas bag to the go shopping instead of using plastic bags.

• Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL).

• Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use.

• Recycle paper, plastic, and glass and buy goods made from recycled materials

As an Earth Day activity, eat vegetarian for a day; if you're a vegetarian, try eating vegan.

By the way, Veggie Teens was selected as one of the Best Cookbooks For Earth Day!

Do your part and GO GREEN.

Family Garden: Step 2 Planting

Our next step was to plant. Our garden has a limited amount of space, so we picked vegetables that we eat often. We chose peppers (spicy and sweet), four different kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and loads of herbs. Since this was our first time gardening and it was getting late in the spring planting season for Arizona, we decided to go with starter plants rather than seeds. We love salads, so we decided to try a pack of mixed greens' seeds because lettuce is supposed to be easy to grow. We water our plants daily and I'm eagerly waiting to see what happens!

Family Garden: Step 1 Preparation

On the side of our house there is a strip of gravel and our pool pump. We had been looking for a way we could use it and came up with the perfect idea: a garden! We built the frame out of redwood beams we found at the hardware store. We bought a special dirt for gardens to fill up the frame since our compost isn't quite ready. Now we're ready to plant.

Even our dog, Rookie, wants to help!

Our Compost Pile

About four months ago my dad started a compost pile for fertilizer for a garden he was planning to start. In case you don't know what composting is, it is breaking down organic materials. When we started the compost pile we thought it would be as easy as putting fruit and vegetable scraps into a container. Turns out it wasn't that easy. We had the lid on it for four months but it shouldn't have been. Having the lid on it caused it to stink and according to composting websites, it should smell fresh - ours definitely did not.

When I was researching the different things that can go into a compost pile, I found a lot of contradictory information. Some said you could put dairy products, bones, dog waste, and even urine (yuck)! But most of the other sites say that those things should NOT be put in. We weren't putting any of those things in but we weren't putting enough "browns" - yard waste and newspaper. We started a new compost pile and so far it is going better. For a list of composting materials check out my Composting post.

Composting: How the Earth Recycles

Composting is a good way to help the environment. Composting breaks down organic material; it is how the Earth recycles. In about six months, you'll have fertilizer to help you grow fresh fruits and vegetables or a garden full of flowers.

To start a compost pile, all you need is a large container (we use a trash bucket). Place the bucket outside in an area that gets some sunlight. Here is a list of things that can be composted:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps and peels
• Fruits and vegetables that have gone bad
• Dead or living house plants and flowers
• Paper (Tear or shred into small pieces or soak it to make it soggy)
• Soil
• Coffee grounds
• Crushed egg shells
• Yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings

After you are done cooking or cleaning your yard, just add the items to the bucket. Keep in mind that the smaller the pieces, the faster it decomposes. Every week or so, stir the mixture. The compost pile should be slightly wet, like a sponge that has been wrung out. If you live in a dry place like Arizona like me, you can add water to the bin and stir it in. Just remember composting takes about six months; if you keep adding new material, it will take even longer. The compost is ready to use for gardening when the compost is like soil; it will be dark brown and fluffy with a slightly sweet odor.