A Fresh Take on Boxed Meals

By Stacy Apple

Open your recipe book and chances are there’s a worn, dog-eared page that’s become a staple in your repertoire. These tried and true family favorites can conjure memories, quiet hungry mouths, or make a party platter pop. With a vision and a simple 4×4 raised garden box, you can throw together your go-to meal without a trip to the grocery store.

Raised garden boxes are an easy afternoon project for a DIY homeowner. The cost of building supplies will run just under $200 if you already own the saw, drill, staple gun, and woodworking clamps you’ll need to assemble the box. For an easier and more cost effective project, there are numerous prefabricated options available for purchase. Depending on the wood and height you choose for your box, a kit will cost $50–$150. Hit up your local home improvement store for the soil appropriate for your chosen plants and you’re ready to go.

So, grab your favorite recipe and find inspiration in these unique garden box configurations. If you choose to customize your garden further, be sure to plant according to the spacing guidelines found on individual plants tags.

Salsa Garden

No party would be complete without salsa. Fresh and bursting with the flavors of summer, four simple ingredients will have you ditching the jar all season long. Divide your garden into four sections and plant accordingly:

Area 1 – Cilantro and Onions

4 Cilantro
22 Red onions
10 White onions (such as Georgia Sweet)

Area 2 – Peppers

1 Jalapeno pepper (with cage or trellis)
1 Red Bell pepper (with cage or trellis)

Area 3 – Tomatoes or Tomatillos

Choose either tomatoes or tomatillos. You must have two tomatillo plants for cross-pollination.

2 Large red tomatoes (such as Celebrity or Amelia, with cage or trellis), or 2 Tomatillos (with cage or trellis)

Chiles Rellenos Garden

A comforting Mexican dish of roasted and stuffed poblano peppers; Chiles Rellenos are traditionally served with salsa, making this an excellent expansion to an existing salsa garden. When planting these gardens simultaneously, try planting different varieties of tomatoes and onions. Divide your garden into two sections and plant accordingly:

Area 1 – Oregano and Onions

2 Oregano plants
9 Onions (any variety)

Area 2 – Poblano Peppers and Tomatoes

1 Poblano pepper plant (in cage)
1 Tomato plant (any variety, in cage)

Pizza Garden

Everyone loves pizza. Eat it plain or dress it up, pizza can be eaten at any occasion. Make these herbs the star of your garden and pizza night may just become your favorite night of the week. Divide your garden into two sections and plant accordingly.

Area 1 – Onions and Herbs

1 Greek oregano
1 Sweet basil
1 Spicy Globe basil
2 Italian parsley
1 Rosemary
22 Onions (such as Georgia Sweet)

Area 2 – Tomatoes and Peppers

1 Roma Tomato (with cage or trellis)
1 Banana pepper (Hot or Sweet, with cage or trellis)
1 Green Bell pepper (with cage or trellis)

Mediterranean Garden

The plants in this bed can differ quite a bit based on your favorite dish. However, the following recommendations will serve as a wonderful base for an assortment of flavorful dishes. Divide your garden into two sections and plant accordingly.

Area 1 – Onions and Herbs

2 Greek Oregano
22 Onions (such as Georgia Sweet)
2 Sweet Basil
1 Rosemary

Area 2 – Tomatoes and Eggplant

1 Roma Tomato
1 Black Beauty Eggplant

Tabbouleh Garden

Tabbouleh is a fresh vegetarian salad, originating in the Middle East. Served cold, this light dish is perfect for Texas summers. Plant this bed as an extension to your Mediterranean Garden and vary tomato varieties. Divide your garden into two sections and plant accordingly.

Area 1 – Flat Italian Parsley

6 – 8 Flat Italian Parsley

Area 2 – Red Onions and Tomatoes

24 Red onions
1 Tomato plant (any medium- or large-sized variety, with cage)

Area 3 – Cucumbers

2 Cucumber plants (any variety, on trellis)

Sweet & Spicy Garden

Peppers are some of the easiest and most colorful plants you can grow. From side dishes to main course superstars, they are also extremely versatile in the kitchen. Plant one pepper from each category, spacing pepper plants 24 inches apart: