GrowCookEat – Garden Tour {Guest Post: bell’alimento}

My name is Paula and I have a little food blog called bell’alimento. I think Katie’s Grow Cook Eat series is fantastic; I am so happy to share my little garden that could with you! I’ve always grown my own herbs because I use them in just about every meal I make but have never really grown much else {until recently that is}. Last year we added some Roma Tomatoes and Bell Peppers to our garden with good success so this year we’ve added even more!

We grow the majority of our plants in containers. Yes, in containers on our deck. I’m proof that you don’t need a large space to grow a garden. We live on the east coast {NC to be exact} and our summers are H O T. Our deck is in full sun and is the perfect situation for growing in containers. Not to mention my deck is directly off of my kitchen & I can go and pick what I need while I’m cooking. Farm {or ehem deck to table ; ) }

We have also expanded to a small area just off of our deck that housed our ginormous rosemary bush. We *gasp* cut it back and tilled the ground around it to allow for more plantings. We added the larger tomatoes {celebrity and big boy varieties} along with the squash, eggplant, and cantaloupe.

Here is exactly what we have planted this year…

Herbs:

• Flat Leaf Italian Parsley
• Sweet Basil
• Lemon Thyme
• Rosemary
• Dill
• Chives
• Sage
• Oregano
• Mint

Fruits:

• Tomato {Varieties: Cherry, Roma, Big Boy, and Celebrity }
• Cantaloupe
• Blueberry
• Strawberries
• Bell Pepper {Varieties: green, yellow and red}
• Jalapeno
• Japanese Eggplant
• Crooked Neck Squash

Some plantings that didn’t make it {boo hoo} were shallots, cilantro and spinach. We’ll give those a go again next year. Speaking of next year, we hope to add a few raised beds {just have to figure out how to keep those pesky deer out} to grow even more homegrown goodies.

There is truly nothing like fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables that you’ve grown yourself. They’re more vibrant, they’re more flavorful and YOU KNOW exactly what has gone into growing them! I love seeing what new ripe and ready goodies are waiting for me each day. I plan my daily meals around my little harvest and when they’re coming in fast and furious we’ve also begun canning {which will allow us to enjoy our goodies during the winter months}

A garden {big or small} is such a great experience! Even our little ones enjoy seeing where their food comes from…and picking the fruits of their labors when they’re ripe {or in some cases not so ripe}. Thanks so much for letting me share my little green corner with you! Happy gardening!

What’s going on in your garden this week? Have you made any great recipes with your fresh produce or planted something new? I’d love to hear about it!

Want to link up your GrowCookEat post?:

1. Write a post about gardening on your own blog, don’t forget to mention www.goodlifeeats.com and GrowCookEat so that your readers know where they can learn more about GrowCookEat and gardening. Then, come back here to add the link to your post to the SimplyLinked form below.
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