Even if you don’t have a sprawling vegetable garden like we do here at Lucille’s, you can still enjoy fresh local produce from the comfort of your own back yard – or patio! Potted gardens are an easy way to grow some of your favorite vegetables. 

On the patio here at Lucille’s we opted to theme out our pots.  In one set we planted some of the ingredients of our favorite salsa recipes and in the other set our favorite pizza toppings!  We have a few plants in each planter but if space is limited for you, one plant in a good size pot can go a long way.  Vertical gardens are also a great space saver all the while allowing you access to the freshest of veggies.  You can learn more about different vertical gardening techniques, and other small space gardening practices, in our Small Space Series!

Salsa Time!

Let’s be real, chips and salsa are always a crowd pleaser, whether it’s a Wednesday night dinner or an afternoon weekend party. We think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn’t mind munching on some fresh salsa. 

Here is a list of plants we planted in our pots but feel free to change it up to your own preference:  

  • Tomatillo
  • Cumin
  • Cilantro
  • Jalapeño
  • Habanero
  • Carolina Reaper
  • Onion

Tomatillo Salsa Recipe:

  • 1 ¼ lbs of tomatillo
  • 2 green onions, peeled and quartered
  • ½ a red onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 pepper of your choosing (depending how hot or mild you like it) seeded (or not, if you like it hot) and roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 clove of garlic, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse in 1 second intervals till all ingredients are finely chopped.  Refrigerate for a few hours if you can to let all the flavors marinate together.

Pizza Party!

We don’t know about you but Friday night pizza was a staple in our households.  Ready-made pizza crusts or even pizza dough are easy enough to find in any market, so why not add some of your own, homegrown vegetables for an affordable (and fun) dinner option. 

In our pots, we chose to plant:

  • Basil
  • Tomato
  • Sweet peppers
  • Spinach
  • Cauliflower

Pizza Recipe:

  1. On your ready-made crust drizzle a little olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and even garlic salt or oregano if you like.  
  2. Place on (or decorate) your pizza with some tomatoes, basil, sweet pepper, spinach or whatever vegetables you have growing.
  3. Top with some fresh mozzarella or cheese of your choosing and bake to the crust’s specifications.  

Grilling pizza is also a great option for those long summer nights.  

Cauliflower Crust Recipe:

For those or are really adventurous, you could even try your hand at making your own cauliflower crust!

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella
  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Pulse the cauliflower florets in a food processor to a fine snowy powder (you should have about 2 1/2 cups). 
  3. Transfer the processed cauliflower to a microwave-safe bowl and cover. Microwave until soft, 4 to 6 minutes. 
  4. Transfer to a clean, dry kitchen towel and allow to cool.
  5. When cool enough to handle, wrap the cauliflower in the towel and wring out as much moisture as possible, transferring to a second towel if necessary. 
  6. In a large bowl, stir together the cauliflower, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, egg and 1 cup of the mozzarella until well combined. 
  7. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and press into a 10-inch round. Bake until golden, 10 to 15 minutes.
  8. Then add your toppings and back until the cheese is melted, roughly 10 more minutes.