Once you recognize you have the power to grow plants, now is the time to take it to the next level!

Save time and money by heading to the market. Rush to your kitchen garden instead!

Here are some of the fruits and vegetables you can grow in your garden yourself:

1. Herbs

Fresh herbs are unbeatable. They make food and servings taste even better. From soups and stews to salads and even garnishes for any dish, they are always great to have handy!

Herbs and plants you can grow in your garden even with little space include parsley, mint, rosemary, dill, basil, cilantro, coriander, oregano, and lemongrass.

These herbs can grow easily with appropriate and proper care. They can be put in containers, and you can just let them grow if you worry about your space. However, for the lemongrass, it is best to plant it in the ground so that it can grow more abundantly.

2. Leafy Greens

If you are into leafy greens, why not have them in your own garden? Besides, if you get yourself a quite spacious yard, you can have them just within your reach every time you cook.

Leafy greens are usually found in stews commonly cooked in the Philippines. Spinach (and/or talbos ng kamote) is perfect for your Sinigang dishes! Malunggay leaves are for Chicken Tinola! While other native leafy vegetables like alugbati, saluyot, and talbos ng kalabasa (squash leaves and flowers) are for sauteed vegetable dishes and ensaladas (salads) that are just perfect when paired with fried fish.

These leafy vegetables are usually found in the market tied with rubber bands in bundles, but depending on where you live, they tend to be costly as well, not to mention if you get them at supermarket malls!

3. Tomato

Dipping sauce? Salads? Stews? Sandwiches? Tomato is the way to go!

Tomatoes are one of the most commonly used vegetables in almost any food dish. Be it as a side or even for later uses, they are just perfect, especially if you have them in your garden. You can make your own tomato paste or can them for preservation.

Tomatoes can be planted in either soil or containers. You can plant them according to your preference and in consideration of the space you have in your yard or apartment. Just make sure to prepare the soil where you’ll plant them so that they can grow at their best.

They also grow best when they absorb a lot of heat and sunlight (but not too much, of course!).

4. Calamansi/Lemon

Calamansi is a citrus fruit. Compared to lemon, calamansi is a more localized version of it since calamansi usually grows in tropical and subtropical countries like the Philippines.

Calamansi, sometimes also called ‘calamondin, has various uses. It can be used for cooking, a natural remedy for sore throats, salads, cleaning, or even as an ornamental plant!

If you are living in the province and have a spacious yard with lots of sunlight getting through, you have just the right location to plant calamansi! Calamansi, when properly taken care of, is very generous in producing its fruits. Aside from that, during its fruit-bearing season, you can just have that citrusy smell in your yard that makes you feel like you’re breathing fresher air.

5. Eggplants

Another vegetable that is good to have within your reach is eggplant! Being one of the most loved vegetables by Filipinos, growing your own eggplants in your garden will save you money.

Besides, who does not want freshly picked and more organic food served at the table? Everything tastes better when you use ingredients that are not cultured with chemicals.

Eggplants also like to bloom in full sun with regular watering. In tropical countries like the Philippines, growing them on your own would not be too difficult, as they are considered warm-weather plants.

6. Chilis and Bell Pepper

If you are a fan of spicy foods or like adding chili peppers to every dish or dipping sauce, then why not have them in your own garden?

Chili peppers can be grown in containers if you worry about space. If you prefer to plant them in your yard, a sunny spot would be the best place to place them.

Within the span of 3–4 months, you can have your chili peppers freshly picked from your garden. The aroma and spiciness of your food will never be the same with your very homegrown chilis.

See? Having your own garden with the ingredients accessible within your reach is such a pleasure! The convenience, practicality and health benefits it offers are endless.

It is never too late to cultivate your own garden. Choose what are your preferred plants to grow in your yard and enjoy your ‘veggie’ healthy fruit of labor!