Growing Your Own Vegetables

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

20 Oct 2009 04:08 PM

There's nothing quite like vegetables from your own garden. They have a freshness and taste that is missing from shop bought vegetables and fruit. Part of our garden is dedicated to growing vegetables and some fruit. It helps the finances as well.

The other week Mick bought vegetable plants. He usually grows tomatoes. They have a totally different taste to shop bought tomatoes. Most years our tomatoes are in well before this, but because he was unwell it didn't happen as early in spring this time so he bought larger plants that he would normally.

Beans we grow from seed. One that is very popular in our family is the purple climbing bean. Yes, it does change to green when cooked. It is a prolific bearer and grows easily so long as it has something to climb up e.g. wire. The only thing to watch with these beans is not to let them grow too large or they become too seedy and lose flavor.

Silver beet is another great one for the home garden. Corn is another, though if you are watching your weight, corn is not a good option.

Lettuce that can be picked by the leaf is a better option than the lettuce with hearts as they all seem to come on at the same time and it is hard to use them. Sometimes splitting a punnet of seedlings with a relative or neighbor might be a good option. You don't need that many plants to feed a family.

Zucchini, eggplant, (aubergines) cucumber, cauliflower, broccoli, butternut pumpkin, shallots, snow peas, capsicums, chilies, mushrooms and garlic are other vegetables Mick has grown with great success. We tend not to worry about potatoes, carrots and onions so much as they are never usually that expensive. Our garden is based on those vegetables we enjoy eating as well as those that tend to be expensive to buy at certain times of the year.

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Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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