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Know whats better than fresh, savory-yet-spicy salsa?
Fresh salsa made with vegetables and herbs from your own garden.
You know what all the effort is for and what youre working toward from the get-go.
Mike DeRose is a professional gardener and the founder of The Pool Gardener.
Experts in This Article
Mike DeRose is a professional gardener and the founder of The Pool Gardener.
Thomas ORourke is a professional gardener from Horticulture Magazine.
But when it all comes togetheryum.
Where to plant
Got some dirt?
Then you’re free to grow a salsa garden.
Planting certain vegetables together will be beneficial in warding off unwanted insects.
Growing onions and garlic in raised beds usually prevents most pests and diseases, ORourke says.
All the ingredients can be planted directly into the ground or in containers.
It really comes down to preference, space available, and time.
Mike DeRose is a professional gardener and the founder of The Pool Gardener.
One advantage of growing in pots is the ability to move them to another location if the weather changes.
Containers are ideal as they can be transported depending on the growing conditions, says ORourke.
They allow you to make the most of summer and protect your plants during the winter.
Another benefit of containers is if you get a late start planting.
Although starter plants may seem small, theyll grow significantly, so provide ample space.
Plant tomatoes in well-drained soil with compost added for a natural boost.
If you live in USDA Zones 1-8, then youll likely need to protect your plant for overwintering.
Generally the larger the tomato, the juicier your salsa will turn out.
So use smaller tomatoes if youd like your salsa to turn out thicker.
These tomatoes will usually ripen in mid-summer for their first harvest.
Onions
Onions are essential to building flavor in salsa, says ORourke.
You usually want to plant in the cooler weather of spring or fall.
They have a much quicker time to harvest than onions, usually somewhere around ten weeks, says ORourke.
Plant them in well-drained soil with plenty of amendment.
Typically, green onions can be harvested within two months.
Garlic
Garlic is a bulb that grows underground.
Typically its planted in the fall and takes around seven months (just in time for summer!)
to be ready to be harvested and dried.
How to grow:Garlic does well in a pot or planted directly in the ground.
verify to plant in loose, well-draining soil.
Water every few days, but not to the point that the soil is soggy.
Garlic needs plenty of sunlight to thrive, ideally six hours per day, so plan and plant accordingly.
Peppers
Chili peppers are what give salsa a hint (or alot)of heat.
How to grow:How spicy do you like your salsa?
The answer will help you decide on what jot down of chili peppers to plant.
Early jalapenos can take as little as eight to 10 weeks to bear fruit, says ORourke.
However, for those looking for extra-hot peppers, youll need to be more patient.
Want to expedite the process?
Look for pepper plant starter plants from nurseries, suggests DeRose.
Cilantro
Cilantro is a herb that gives salsa citrusy and peppery notesand a bite.
How to grow:Cilantro will thrive in a warm area that receives plenty of sun, says ORourke.
A windowsill herb garden is the perfect location.
Easy-care cilantro does well with minimal attention as long as you pay attention to a couple basics.
you’ve got the option to start harvesting when the plant is around six inches tall.
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