Garden to Table
Savour the flavours of the garden
Nothing quite compares to picking fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the garden and cooking with them. The taste, freshness and nutrient value is far superior to any store-bought produce. Find our grow your own veg in our outside plant area now!
If you plan well ahead, you can enjoy a bounty of homegrown produce all year round. Think asparagus in spring, strawberries in summer, apples in autumn and sprouts for Christmas lunch in winter.
Always grow fruit and vegetables that you love to eat and think about unusual varieties that you might not find in your local supermarket. Carrots and potatoes tend to be quite inexpensive to buy, so maybe look at salads and tomatoes which can be pricey.
Herbs are a great starting point as they are very easy to grow in pots or containers and work out very cost effective. Fresh herbs can make the difference between an ordinary and an extraordinary recipe.
Fresh basil on pizza, tarragon mayo with your roast chicken or fresh oregano in a Greek salad will really elevate the taste. Many herbs are perennials but don’t forget to plant annual favourites like parsley and coriander too. They add a shot of flavour to almost any dish.
All grow your own gardeners experience gluts at certain times of the year. Some vegetables such as courgettes are so productive in the summer months that you will inevitably have more vegetables than you know what to do with.
This is the time to be inventive. Search online for recipes that are a little out of the ordinary. Courgettes aren’t just a summer side dish for example, they can also be used to make cakes or brownies in the same way that carrots can.
The Cook Shop
Other smart ways to use up a garden glut include pickling, freezing or making preserves. You can also share your bounty with friends and relatives! We have everything you need in The Cook Shop.
