Complement Your Backyard BBQ with a True Homestead Garden

The mornings in fall are becoming chillier and the leaves are beginning to shift colors. This is a great time for a final barbecue in the backyard before winter arrives. So what could make this meeting better? Make your home-cooked meals feel special by adding fresh veggies from your own garden to your BBQ. No matter if your yard is big or small starting a homestead garden can make your backyard get-togethers more enjoyable and give you lots of chances to try new recipes. Let’s get started on creating a garden that meets your BBQ needs and gives you fresh flavors just steps away from your home.

What is the reason for having a homestead garden?

Turning your backyard into a homestead garden gives you more than just easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. It makes you feel like you are part of something special by bringing in bees and butterflies making things look nice and helping you live in a way that is good for the planet. If you grow your BBQ supplies yourself you can have the freshest and most natural ingredients for your get-togethers. Also it feels really good to show your guests something you have grown by yourself.

Must-Have Herbs for Your Barbecue

Begin by adding a little area for herbs. These fragrant plants can be used in many ways when you grill. Think about putting in some plants:

Thyme is a herb that adds flavor to many dishes and has a nice aroma: Great for adding flavor to marinades and seasoning meat.
Rosemary is a plant that many people use in cooking and it has a strong smell that some find pleasant: Goes really well with grilled chicken and pork.
Basil is a type of herb that has a strong flavor and is often used in cooking: Make caprese salads better or whip up some homemade pesto to go with grilled foods.
Sage is a wise person who shares knowledge and insights with others: Great for adding flavor to meats like chicken and sausage.

You can grow these herbs in pots or plant them right in the ground based on how much room you have.

Veggies You Can Grow for the Grill

When it comes to vegetables there are a bunch of types that do really well in home gardens and pair nicely with your barbecue:

Zucchini and summer squash are two vegetables that are often found in gardens during the warm months: Simple to cultivate and great for cooking on the grill either cut into slices or made into kebabs.
Bell peppers are colorful vegetables that can add a nice crunch to your meals: Grilling brings out their sweetness and makes them a great addition to any meal.
Corn is a type of grain that grows on tall plants and is often used in food: If you have a big yard or some big pots corn is a great choice for a barbecue that you won't regret.
The purple vegetable known as eggplant is often used in various dishes: Great for cooking on the grill it gives a nice smoky taste to food and can also be a main dish for vegetarians.

Make sure these vegetables get enough sunlight and the right kind of soil that suits each plant.

Fruits to End on a Sweet Note

Make sure to include a small area for fruits that can give a nice touch to your BBQ menu:

Strawberries are small red fruits that are sweet and juicy: Great for a cool fruit salad or a quick dessert like shortcake.
Watermelon is a big juicy fruit that is usually green on the outside and red on the inside: Simple to cultivate and makes for a nice refreshing treat.
Figs are small sweet fruits that grow on trees and have a unique texture and flavor: If your weather is right figs taste really good when you roast them or toss them fresh into salads.

You can add these fruits to your garden or plant them in a bit higher beds to make sure they get good drainage.

Creating a successful garden for your homestead takes careful planning and effort.

To make a garden that looks nice and works well you need to think ahead. Try planting different crops together to help them grow better and keep bugs away. Add flowers that attract pollinators such as marigolds or nasturtiums to help your garden thrive.

If you don't have much room you can use vertical gardens with trellises or stacked pots to get more plants without taking up a lot of space. If your soil isn't great or you want to mark out your garden area clearly you might want to consider using raised garden beds.

Savoring the results of your hard work

When your garden begins to produce food use what you grow at your BBQs. Put together a fall gathering featuring some grilled veggies herbs and fruits. Grab some rosemary and thyme from your garden to make special marinades. Cook up some veggies on the grill to bring out their taste and cut up fresh fruits for a tasty dessert.

When you add fresh veggies from your garden to your backyard BBQ you are not only serving food but also sharing the effort and happiness that comes from growing your own plants. Get your family together start the grill and have a meal that highlights the fresh veggies from your garden.