Perfect Picks for Summer Gardens
Nothing says summer quite like a flourishing backyard garden abundant with delicious, chemical-free produce. There is nothing better than direct access to your very own organic farm with fresh vegetables, herbs, and the occasional fruit ready for any cookout recipe, summer salad, or refreshing cocktail. Join us at Advanced Biotech as we take a look at some of our favorite picks to consider plating in your garden this summer.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a prolific summer crop, perfect for snacking on straight off the vine, tossing into a light summer salad, or pickling in preparation for colder months. Plant in rich soil in mid-spring and water consistently in order to have a bountiful harvest all summer long. Corn is one of the ultimate companion plants for cucumbers, and beans and peas are also good to encourage your cucumbers to do well. High in nutrients and low in calories, cucumbers contain helpful antioxidants, promote proper hydration which is essential in hot weather, and can also help to aid in digestive health due to their naturally occurring fiber. Cool, refreshing, and light, cucumbers are the ideal vegetables to start off any backyard vegetable patch.
Tomatoes
It wouldn’t be summer without tomatoes, the quintessential summer vegetable good for everything from salads to sauces, grilling to pickling. Tomatoes require a long growing season with plenty of heat and sun, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. As a rule of thumb, it is best to plant tomatoes as soon as the weather warms in spring to ensure a bumper crop by August. Tomatoes thrive when planted beside marigolds, basil and chives, among other companion plants in order to ensure a full and healthy crop all summer long. Tomatoes are a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
Peppers
Peppers can be conveniently located next to tomatoes in the garden as they require similar growing environments – full sun, rich soil and consistent deep watering. Peppers come in many varieties that are all fairly easy to grow, the most popular being bell and jalapeno. Perfect for grilling, festive salsas, and even as an unconventional addition to margaritas and other craft cocktails, peppers are crisp, delicious, and packed with nutrients. They’re low in calories and are loaded with good nutrition. All varieties are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber.
Summer gardens are a great way to be sustainable, spend time outside, and reduce food waste and consumption. Fresh produce packed with natural health benefits are a great way to ensure that you will be eating well all season long.