Friday Playdate » Blog Archive » how our garden grows

Filed Under pretty things on May 27, 2009

As part of my Best Summer Ever project, I’ve decided that I will make a sincere effort not to kill the things we have planted outside. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but for some reason, remembering to water the plants is a huge undertaking for me. I plant stuff every year and then completely forget to water, which is really an issue, you know? Because plants like water, it seems. Go figure.

Charlie and I planted flowers last weekend, but before that, we planted a wee little edible garden, with some help from Scotts Miracle Gro. As part of a program they’re calling “GroGood” (how cute is that?) they sent me all the components of a great little container garden, and Charlie and I went wild.

Small scale wild, of course. It’s a container after all, not 40 acres.

The kit included these fantastic Smith & Hawken gloves, which Charlie really thought about swiping for himself. Fortunately, they were the wrong color or something so he gave them back. It was a good thing, too, because I’m not the type to have dirt under her fingernails. Oh hell no.

The idea of the garden is that we would plant something edible and then actually eat it, and while that sounded intriguing and fun, it was the next part I really liked: Scott’s is asking participating gardeners to donate some portion of what they grow to a local food bank.

I love the idea of sharing fresh food with food banks; after all, we’ve all put that random can of creamed corn, or — worse! — pumpkin pie filling in the Boy Scouts food drive bag at Thanksgiving. It’s nice to think about sharing good food with people, instead of those random cans of stuff from the back of the pantry that no one in your house wants to eat in the first place. Ick.

Charlie took the planting part very seriously; he put all the seedlings in the container to make sure they would fit and then carefully covered them in potting soil (or “potty soil,” as he likes to call it — that’s hilarious, you know).

We planted lavender, which the Internet assures me is edible, and which I know is pretty (and thus photographable, which is helpful since you’ll be seeing a lot of my wee garden this summer — you’re welcome!). When I asked Twitter what I could make with the lavender we were growing, other than a sachet or a cup of tea, I got all sorts of suggestions: vanilla lavender shortbread, lavender lemonade, lavender white chocolate ice cream … yum! But the most intriguing suggestion came from Stefania, who told me I could make lavender infused vodka.

I love gardening.

The best part of planting is watering. Of course. Charlie prefers to use the hose, but that seemed like a lot of water for that wee container, so we opted for the watering can. And then he sprayed the yard with the hose, for good measure.

Since we’re growing an herb, and a girly, fussy herb at that, we most likely won’t be taking it to the food bank (I don’t know that they really need lavender-infused vodka). But we will be making a donation of fresh produce to our local food bank — and, in the spirit of the GroGood program, we’ll be buying the produce at our local farmer’s market.

Go us.

Now we’re just waiting to see what happens! Charlie diligently waters our planter every day, and inspects the plants for flowers or any sign that they are turning into something interesting. So far, nothing, but we have a lot of summer ahead of us.

In the meantime, Scotts would like to give one of you lucky people a GroGood kit of your own, so you can plant a wee edible garden at your house. You might actually grow real food, like a vegetable! Or you can plant some herbs and whip up a fancy dinner with them afterwards. Either way, the garden is a nice way to remember where your dinner (or vodka) comes from, and to think about the people in your community who don’t necessarily know where they’re going to find dinner tonight.

The GroGood kit includes a planter, Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Plant Food, Smith & Hawken Trowel, and a $10 American Express Gift Card that you can use to purchase seeds or plants. Charlie wants you to know that the trowel is awesome.

Entering is simple: tell me what you would grow in your tiny edible container garden, and how you will serve it. You have until midnight CST on Friday, May 29, to enter; winner will be drawn at random on Saturday morning (but not too early — it’s the weekend, you all).

Ready? Go!

Scotts provided my GroGood kit, plus one for a lucky reader. Thanks!

I would love a chance to grow some veggies

I would grow basil, with which I’d make delicious pesto sauce; and also grow yellow squash, since it’s delicious pan-fried and we don’t have any in our tiny backyard garden.

I love those photos of Charlie, so enthusiastic about gardening with you. My son feels the same way.

Basil! For all of our pasta dishes. Or cilantro for our Mexican dishes. Or tomatoes! OMG, could I grow tomatoes?

I NEED THIS, SUSAN.

I’d love to grow some cilantro.

Rosemary, for rosemary garlic potatoes. Yum.

I would grow peas–and I doubt any would make it to be “served”, because there’s nothing I like better than raw peas right off the vine.

The herbs and vegetables I use the most: parsley, green onions, chives, rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano.

I also would grow basil, since my very favorite light dinner is basil and fresh mozzarella on a baguette and I’m getting tired of shelling out (relatively) mega money for the grocery store basil.

Oh, I so want this. I would grow a little salsa garden - cilantro, a cherry tomato plant or two and maybe, if there is room, one pepper plant.

Every summer I say I’m growing to grow herbs. And then I don’t. So I would grow some delicious herbs and then I won’t always have to use dried oregano in every single dish I make.

What a great giveaway!!

I would grow basil, rosemary, and cilantro.

Thanks and enjoy your garden! =)

Basil, cilantro and flat leaf parsley. I sue both so frequently it would be handy to have them nearby.

A tip to all, buy herbs at the farmers’ market (super cheap there). Finely chop as you would for a recipe then freeze said herbs in a zip bag. I do this in the summer and have fresh, cheap herbs all winter long.

I USE all three. I don’t “sue both.” Time for bed.

I would grow pea pods! I can eat them like plain as a snack, but one of my husband’s favorite meals is General Tso’s chicken, full of pea pods!

Basil! To eat with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella….To Die For! I like to just pick a leaf and squish it to smell it..yes, I am a basil sniffer.

I would grow heirloom tomatoes…and use our amazing balsamic vinegar and some buratta from the local Italian market for one AMAZING caprese salad for Boyfriend & myself

I would grow zucchini. I know people complain about them taking over their gardens, but I love them.

I would try to grow cukes and pear (I think) tomatoes. I had some last year, and it was the first time I’ve ever had a tomato I liked on its own merits, instead of its burger enhancing capabilities.

My local food bank has a little booth at the farmer’s market and they usually get a good haul from people donating food or giving them money to get the veggies at the end of the market time. It’s really cool.

I would grow a little herb garden with basil, cilantro, and thyme. What a great way to start off summer!

cherry and grape tomatoes! YUM!

Not to be a copycat, but? Lavender. For vodka.

herbs..wonderful smelly herbs!!

I would grow basil and parsley and use them to make my summer gazpacho!

I would grow cilantro. I love cilantro! I would make my homemade salsa, with tomatoes, onions, hot peppers, garlic, and cilantro. I would also probably make some chicken tacos and sprinkle that green goodness on top…of course there would have to be margaritas!! YUMMY

I would grow lima beans, my kids like to eat them like candy - go figure.

Tomotoes and and cilantro to make fresh, homemade salsa - yum!

I will grow basil because basil = pesto. Yummy, yummy pesto.

I would grow basil and parsley and chives. The container looks perfect for an herb garden and I can use the herbs to go with the tomatoes and peppers (and other stuff) I’m growing in my mom’s yard. My yard is rather too shady except on my deck.

cherry tomatoes and basil…bruschetta baby!!

Ohhh…I already have tomatos and cucumbers growing on my back porch, so maybe basil and chives? That sounds good!

We would grow tomatos and basil, I think.
Buy some fresh mozzerella and we have a yummy salad!

We’d grow plants to make our own spaghetti sauce … tomatoes and basil. It may be a little late for onions and garlic, but I’d give them a try also.

I think I would grow mint. For mojitos. And as Charlie models so well, Crocs make great gardening shoes. Just sayin’.

We would grow tomatoes, peppers, cilantro… the ingredients to make delicious homemade salsa! Yum!

I would grow herbs. Basil for pesto and Rosemary to make chicken. Good luck with your gardening!

I would grow herbs to go with the tomatoes I have planted elsewhere. A little basil, oregano, tyme, rosemary and chives to go with all sorts of summer pastas and tomato salads.

I think my little guy would get a kick out of growing carrots. Then he might actually eat them.

I’m going with the herbs, which will be delicious with the hundreds of pounds of tomatoes I’m going to harvest in my 10×10 community garden plot. (Hope springs eternal.)

I would grow herbs, I think. Chives to go on baked potatoes and in omlettes! Or maybe pineapple mint which is delicious in tea.

Peas and chives… and maybe some mint! Mmmm.

I would grow herbs like cilantro and basil. I love going out to the deck and picking off some leaves when I am cooking.

Starting a garden is one of the things I had hoped to do this summer, although now it’s not looking likely at this point. I hope, hope, hope that I win this and then I can have a little one and my summer will not be wasted!

I would grow zucchini and some basil for sure …

Since becoming pregnant, all I want is salsa. I would plant tomatoes, onion and some celantro….yum! And make some yummy homemade salsa.

We have the yard space for a garden, but for some reason (pregnancy) I haven’t gotten it tilled or planted. This would be the perfect solution for me!

I would grow tomatoes, to be served lightly drizzled with olive oil and cracked black pepper and sea salt. Possibly with some mozzerella.

Those are adorable gardening pictures…my kids are old enough that gardening is work, and they have no interest.

I would grow tomatoes, chives, garlic and cilantro and have SALSA.

Or maybe cumin and garlic to be mixed with garbanzos and tahini for HUMMUS.

Or mint for MINT JULEPS. Mint must stay in pots. Must. Must.

Pizza herbs!

Basil for anything Italian–sauces, pizza, caprese salad. Chives for potatoes and salads. Fresh dill to sprinkle on steamed, buttered carrots (yum!). Parsley to make nice, fresh Tabouli!! So many possibilities. Whether I win or not, now I want to cook!

Cucumbers! Right now I have some basil, parsley and thyme growing, and I bought a tomato plant. Now I just need some cucumbers to go with the tomatoes (unfortunately you can’t grow fresh mozzarella

I’d grow mini-bell peppers, rosemary & basil in a container that size.

Tomaters, since the ones at the store have been so sucky so far this year. Sucky AND expensive, yet I keep buying them.

Basil! Cilantro! Rosemanry! Oh My!
My hubby can make some crazy dee-lish salsa with some cilantro. Some equally amazing chicken with rosemary and whatever it is he does with basil is awesome.

I would like to grow herbs. While I would like to use them fresh, I would also like to try my hand at drying them myself.

Basil for Caprese salad; mint for mojitos; and - um, how do you grow broccoli? If I could figure that out!

I would grow a bell pepper plant. I like the way they look. I might even make some fajitas with those peppers.

This sounds like so much fun. I’m thinking I would grow something I don’t normally grow, like peppers, or zucchini, or sunflowers (seeds!). We would use the peppers in salads or tacos, or who knows. The zucchini would most likely be given away…often if we do it right. Seeds would be roasted and munched on. Yummy.

Basil for all kinds of delicious dishes!

The container would come in handy for Sugar Snap Peas. I tried them last year in my meager little garden plot behind the garage, and the squirrels ate through the vines just as the pea pods were getting nice and plump. Argh! With a container,I could keep them closer to the house and out of the clutches of the varmints.

How bout some strawberries? Yum! I don’t think they would make it into a dish. I like them with a little powdered sugar.

I’m joining the horde who would plant basil for fresh pesto. What a great idea to donate extras!

mini tomatoes and peas, all for eating off the plant

I think I would use it to grow lettuce and basil. The container would be awesome so I could bring them inside and extend my harvest for a couple of months. I hate the wacky OK weather that will slap a hard freeze that kills on you then follow that with an extended balmy fall. Pick me! Thwart the OK weather with me! Bwa Ha Ha

Do you think I could fit a bell pepper plant in there?

I love this idea! We live in a condo so a small container garden is perfect. I think I would grow some parsley, basil and maybe some little chili peppers - spicy pesto!

I would grow herbs - basil and mint, since we’ve already planted our veggie garden.

Cherry tomatoes !

I would definitely grow basil. Pesto all summer long, ftw!

We have a raised-bed garden that we plant every spring; this year, it’s mostly herbs. Cilantro, Basil, Rosemary, Italian parsley, Oregano, Thyme, and also tomatoes and anaheim peppers.

If I win, I’m giving the kit to my very best friend, Emilie. She and her husband have three little girls, and they are struggling financially right now. Any veggies they might grow could only help them

I would grow basil. and mint. and make homemade pizza with basil, mozzarella, tomatoes, and then make mint chocolate ice cream for dessert!

This is an awesome idea. We already have a large garden, so I would use this to plant some fresh herbs.

ooooh! basil! for bruchetta! and cilantro! for salsaaaaaah!!! YUM!!!

I would grow tomatoes, basil and I wish, a fresh mozzerella plant for caprese salads all summer.

I would grow some green beans and various squash/zuchini. They usually produce bumper crops, so I would have plenty to share with the food bank, and my neighbors, and my entire family.

i think i would probably grow tomatoes. :o) and i would serve them rinsed and sliced with some salt for sprinkling! or they’d go good on pizza (hello margherita pizza) or in salsa or a salad! YUM!

p.s. i signed up for that challenge anyway. if i don’t win a kit, i’ll have to go buy the stuff… but it’s such a great thing! how could i not do it? i’m only bummed i hadn’t thought of it myself before!

I would love to grow strawberries!

I would grow mint, and then immediately make a mojito. YUM!

Basil and tomatoes — throw in some fresh mozarella and a litle salt and pepper and there’s nothing better for a summer supper!

Cilantro for really yummy guacamole!!

Tomatoes. Not those flavorless ones that you get at the store. Juicy, ripe, delicious tomatoes.

I would grow cilantro. I love cilanatro, especially in the summer!

I think I would plant cucumbers and have them run over the sides of the planter. They are great in the summer time,too - I fresh cucumber and some salt is a good way to cool off! Thanks for the chance to win!

[…] GroGood is helping me give something this week — I’m giving away an edible garden kit! You have until midnight CST Friday to enter […]

That is the cutest thing ever! We already have 4 raised beds going but if I had a wee little container bed like that one, I would plant golden cherry tomatoes and/or strawberries and snow peas so the kids could really get some hands on gardening (I let them help in the garden but not *too* much as I’m hoping to be able to get some actual food out of it) and be able to snack right out of the box, as it were.

I imagine it would be a hearty herb of some kind. I, too, tend to kill plants!

I think I would grow a mini pizza garden with my 4 year old son. Tomatoes, basil, oregano and chives. We have several raised bed vegetable gardens, but haven’t done a themed one yet. I think it would be fun.

I would like to grow all kinds of herbs (well, not the illegal kinds). I’m forever buying them, and then not using them up, so having my own fresh supply would be amazing. And I’d really try to keep it alive!

I would grow cilantro so I could make salsa! Yum. We already have a veggie garden but I “need” an herb garden…

I’d love to grow some green beans, and then I’d steam them and then season with a tiny bit of butter, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. YUM.

Ah, fresh foods with minimal effor — my kind of garden!

i would grow basil. yummy, delicious basil. mmmmmmm

If ever my faith in God grows thin (and it does sometimes), fresh homegrown tomatoes usually brings me back. Love ‘em.

We’re going to do some tomatoes. The ones we planted at the beginning of spring keep getting picked by impatient little hands.

I am so the same way. I plant my things that will grow so I can eat them and then I forget all about them. This year is different! I got two tomato plants and some cilantro. So far so good. But I really want to try lettuce and maybe some zucchini and this year, I think I can actually do it!

Definitely a tomato plant! Possibly a cucumber (if there is room) or bell pepper plant. If not, some herbs around the tomato plant would be great.

Those tomatoes would be used for everything from salads, to sauce, to toppings for burgers and sandwiches. If the crop is big enough, I can make salsa with the herbs as well.

OH to have a garden! I thought about buying one of those hanging tomato things… so definitely tomatoes would be planted… mebbe an onion or pepper plant as well…

HOMEMADE SALSA!

I could replant my carrots. Something ATE them! And it wasn’t me!

But honestly, herbs. Because it’s exciting for children to taste mint that hasn’t been made into a Polo.

There’s no better way to “go green” than to grow your own. I grow in a limited way due to space constraints and critters raiding the garden.

I would love to grow some nice herbs so I don’t have to buy them from the store all the time.

We are working on planting a regular garden but somthing has already started eating the leaves so a container garden on the deck might be better

I am growing herbs and tomatoes but would love to grow salad greens. Yum.

My daughter wants to plant peppermint seeds so a peppermint candy tree will grow. Uh, er.
Carrots and green beans. Oh yes oh yes.
As long as the kids do the watering. lol

I would love to grow a small herb garden. Parsley, basil, cilantro. I love to see the little pots on the windowsill but never get around to actually doing it.

Great idea. I think I will do it with the kids in the neighborhood. They are young and it will be a good way to build relationships with the little whipper snappers.
And cleaning out the closets is so happening next week.

WE WOULD LOVE IT!!! My girl eats cherry tomatos like they are going out of style. So cherry tomato plant she can help herself 2.

Herbs! I never have the ones I want when I need them…would be so nice to be in the middle of preparing Rosemary chicken and actually have some Rosemary!

I want to start making homemade pasta sauce, so it would be basil and oregano for me!

I would grow a caprese salad - basil and tomato (since I can’t grow mozzarella I’ll buy that)!

I would probably try and grow some basil. We eat a lot of pasta dishes in our house, all made with, gasp, dried basil. I bet the fresh stuff would really take the flavor up a notch.

How fun! I would grow rosemary, tomatoes, basil and mint.

Great pics!

Zucchini! And snow peas. Mmmmmmm!

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