Salsa is a party in every bite. If you’ve ever had fresh garden salsa, you know that nothing can compare to the sweet and savory flavors of garden vegetables. Instead of trying to find fresh salsa at your local farmers market any time you get a craving, grow your own vegetables in a salsa garden at home. Having the ingredients in your own backyard will make serving up chips and salsa a snap. Here’s how to plant a salsa garden, and a delicious salsa recipe to help you eat those beautiful veggies that you grow.
What to grow
Growing a salsa garden doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s the ingredients that you need to grow for a successful salsa garden.
- Tomatoes make up the base of any good salsa. You’ll need plenty of tomato plants if you plan to make a lot of salsa. Tomatoes are frost sensitive, so plant your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of the season and move them outdoors. You can also buy plants from a nursery and plant them after the last frost. Varieties such as Roma and Opalka make great salsa. Plan to support the tomatoes with cages as they grow.
- Onions give salsa it’s flavor. Plant seeds about six inches apart about a month before the last frost. Or purchase plants and plant them after the last frost.
- Herbs like cilantro, oregano, parsley, and basil. They grow quickly and are fun to harvest.
- Peppers. Unless you can start peppers at least 12 weeks before your last frost, it’ll pay to buy plants. Whether you like sweet bell pepper or jalapeños, you’ll love adding a bit of extra flavor to your salsa.
- Garlic. If you're planning ahead, plant garlic in your garden in the fall. Garlic that is planted in the fall can be harvested come summer.
Growing your garden
You don’t need a ton of space to grow a salsa garden. A small patch of dirt can yield lots of produce. No yard? You can plant your salsa garden in containers and place them on a deck or patio Just make sure the area you choose has plenty of sun. Most salsa garden plants love warmth. Water well.
Garden salsa recipe
When your garden is ready to harvest, it’s time to make salsa. Try this recipe for garden salsa.
- 6 tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ cup green pepper, chopped
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- ½ cup sliced green onion
- 6 cloves minced garlic
- Minced jalapeño (to taste)
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions:
- Wash produce thoroughly
- Chop tomatoes, green pepper, onion, and green onion. Mince garlic and jalapeño.
- Combine all ingredients into a large bowl.
- Cover and refrigerate.
- Serve with tortilla chips, or on top of your favorite dish.
Growing your own salsa garden can be both satisfying and fun. It’s exciting to see your garden thrive and then use the fruits of your labors to make a delicious snack.