COOKING, GARDENING, HEALTHY LIVING, HOMESTEADING, SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Grandma's Kitchen Garden

Grandma's Kitchen Garden

My Mommy’s people lived on a family dairy farm in Upper New York State. I have wonderful memories of going to see family and the farm as a child. My Grandma always had a small garden surrounded by rocks, just a step away from the kitchen door. She called it her “Kitchen Garden.” I can remember her in her apron going out every evening into her little garden. She would gently pick some of this, snip some of that and always cut a big bunch of zinnias to brighten her kitchen table.

I asked her one day, “Why do you have this little garden? The big garden has a bunch of vegetables in it.” She explained that the big garden had the vegetables in it that needed more room to grow. They also needed the food from the big garden to supply what she would need to can and put up for the winter. But her kitchen garden supplied the needs of the day in fresh vegetables, herbs and of course some flowers for the table.

Enjoy a flavorful and colorful bouquet of lettuces with the Seed Savers Lettuce Mixture. Includes Australian Yellowleaf, Forellenschluss, Pablo, Red Velvet, and at least four more of our favorite varieties. At Lehmans.com.
Enjoy a flavorful and colorful bouquet of lettuces with the Seed Savers Lettuce Mixture. Includes Australian Yellowleaf, Forellenschluss, Pablo, Red Velvet, and at least four more of our favorite varieties. At Lehmans.com.

Keeping a “kitchen garden” has become a family custom. As my Grandma did and my Mommy before me, I have my little garden nestled just outside my kitchen door. Full of its variety of plants, mine leans towards being more of a salad garden with some culinary herbs and of course, those bright, beautiful zinnias. (If you don’t have much of a yard or space, consider using a container for your kitchen garden – works like a charm!)

My little kitchen garden usually has:
• Different types of leaf lettuces
• Heirloom tomatoes
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onions
• Carrots
• Beets
• Sweet peppers
• Cucumbers
• Basil, parsley, chives

Sweet, tender heirloom Danvers Carrots are the perfect addition to a small kitchen garden. Seeds available at Lehmans.com.
Sweet, tender heirloom Danvers Carrots are the perfect addition to a small kitchen garden. Seeds available at Lehmans.com.

Keeping a little “kitchen garden” can grow more than plants. Aside from putting fresh vegetables on my plate almost every day, mine fills me with warmth and memories every time I enter it. Starting and keeping one for yourself can help make priceless memories – one pick and snip at a time.

Keep your kitchen garden veggies crisp and fresh for days after harvesting in the Salad Sac. At Lehmans.com.
Keep your kitchen garden veggies crisp and fresh for days after harvesting in the Salad Sac. At Lehmans.com.
Did you make this recipe?Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

0 Comments

Dori Fritzinger

Dori Fritzinger

She lives and works with her multi-generational family in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. They have a farm of cows and calves, wool sheep, dairy goats, rabbits, ducks, geese, chickens, honeybees, a horse and a donkey.

View All Posts From This Author

Also By This Author

People Also Enjoyed Reading

Inside Out Chili

Inside Out Chili

P3 Media
Vary the heat by adding or subtracting the amount and/or variety of hot peppers.
Pinto Beans

Pinto Beans

P3 Media
This recipe can be used for all varieties of dry beans.