The Real Estate Browser Volume 8, Issue 9 | Page 23
www.LynchburgRealEstateBrowser.com
Volume 8 Number 9 – Say you saw it in The Real Estate Browser of Lynchburg — 23
plenty of sunlight to help plants take root
and flourish -- whether that’s in your
backyard or a nearby community garden.
For cooler climates, raised garden beds
are highly recommended. These allow
fruits and vegetables the space needed to
expand their roots and hold in water. For
hot, arid climates, create an in-ground
garden, as it holds in moisture better,
requiring less irrigation.
Selecting what to grow is your next
challenge. Herb gardens are perfect for
those with limited experience or lim-
ited space. Herbs like basil, cilantro and
chives are easy to maintain. Most herbs
can withstand changing climates, mean-
ing you can cook with fresh herbs year-
round, adding them to nearly any meal
to increase depths of flavor and allow
you to “play” with your food.
Farm with Flavor
Having access to a variety of fresh
produce lets you expand your menu at
home while keeping it healthy. Many
items found in simple salads, like carrots,
tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and other
leafy greens are considered “beginner
crops.” Certain berries are also easy to
cultivate. If you’ve ever tasted a ripe, just-
picked strawberry or a fresh, juicy toma-
to, you’ll know that it’s worth the effort
to grow these items yourself!
Mix it Up
Having a high-quality blender, like
the Vitamix A3500, can make transform-
ing your harvest into vibrant meals easy.
Vitamix machines can be used to chop,
purée or juice any ingredients that may
come from your budding garden.
Put new spins on old family recipes.
Next time your kids ask for spaghetti and
meatballs, try Spaghetti with Roasted
Vegetable Sauce. Made with fresh, garden
ingredients, including Roma tomatoes,
carrots and fresh basil leaves, this robust
sauce will become a staple in your weekly
meal rotation. You might even want to
try it on top of spaghetti squash or zuc-
chini noodles to take advantage of more
nutritious, fresh-grown produce. Try
something new and create Sweet Potato
Soup with Seared Tomatillos using fresh
jalapenos, poblanos and tomatillos from
your garden. Or dress up a less-than-
exciting salad with a brightly flavored
Strawberry Vinaigrette, using fresh
strawberries and herbs.
Growing greens (plus reds, yellows,
oranges, purples and blues) gives you
peace of mind in knowing exactly where
your meals come from, and the pride of
nurturing something wholesome.