10 Ways to Use Garden Produce

If you have a garden, you know how rewarding it is to harvest your own fruits and vegetables. But sometimes, you may end up with more produce than you can eat or give away. Don’t let your hard work go to waste! Here are 10 creative and fun ways to use your garden produce.

1. Make a scarecrow out of corn husks and cobs. This will not only keep the birds away from your crops, but also add some rustic charm to your garden.
2. Turn your tomatoes into salsa. Nothing beats fresh homemade salsa with chips or tacos. You can spice it up with some jalapeños, cilantro, onion, garlic, lime juice and salt.
3. Freeze your berries for smoothies. Berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and they make delicious smoothies. Just wash them, dry them, and freeze them in ziplock bags. Then blend them with some yogurt, milk, honey and ice for a refreshing treat.
4. Make a wreath out of herbs. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage and lavender can be used to make a fragrant and beautiful wreath for your door or wall. Just tie them together with some twine or wire and shape them into a circle.
5. Pickle your cucumbers. Pickling is a great way to preserve your cucumbers and add some tangy flavor to your salads and sandwiches. You can use vinegar, water, sugar, salt and spices to make your own brine and jar your cucumbers.
6. Make a salad out of lettuce and edible flowers. Lettuce is a staple of any garden, and you can make it more interesting by adding some edible flowers like nasturtiums, pansies, calendula and borage. They will add some color and flavor to your salad.
7. Make a pie out of apples or pumpkins. Nothing says fall like a warm apple or pumpkin pie. You can use your own crust recipe or buy a ready-made one, and fill it with your sliced apples or pureed pumpkins. Add some cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and butter for extra yumminess.
8. Make a soup out of carrots or squash. Carrots and squash are both sweet and nutritious vegetables that can be turned into a creamy soup. Just peel and chop them, and cook them in some broth until soft. Then puree them with some cream, salt and pepper.
9. Make a jam out of strawberries or raspberries. Jam is a classic way to use your berries and enjoy them all year round. You can use pectin, sugar and lemon juice to make your own jam and store it in sterilized jars.
10. Make a compost out of your scraps. If you have any leftover peels, stems, leaves or cores from your produce, don’t throw them away! You can use them to make a compost that will enrich your soil and help your plants grow better.