starting a vegetable garden Archives

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on selecting belle peppers. If you want to experience the true flavor of belle peppers, you must have knowledge of how to select belle peppers for home cooking.

So, each year I plant a combination of belle, cayenne, and jalapeno in my backyard vegetable garden. At the end of the season, I freeze the belle peppers, dry the cayenne, and pickle the jalapenos.

I love planting a variety of belle peppers. Furthermore, I try to grow a variety of colors that include green, yellow, red and orange. I even tried a white variety, but was unsuccessful. All belle peppers start out green. With patience, they will turn yellow, red and orange depending on what you have planted.

Belle peppers are great in casseroles, omelets, sauces, chili and other dishes. I also use my belle peppers in veggie trays, pasta dishes, jambalaya and anything else I can cook up. The red, yellow and orange peppers make an impact in dishes. They’re really pretty in omelets and vegetable trays too. They give dishes a little color as well as flavor. Presentation is everything when it comes to eating.

Selecting Belle Peppers

Know the difference between male and female belle peppers? Using the right peppers will enhance the flavor of your dishes. Males should be used in certain dishes and females in others. That is why selecting male and female peppers is important.

Lesson 1 – Male peppers have 3 bumps on the bottom.

Lesson 2 – Male peppers are usually a little taller and have less seeds than the female. Most shoppers go for the biggest peppers; however, they don’t consider the dishes they will be preparing at home. Male peppers are better for cooking foods like chili, tomato sauce and other dishes that require heat.

Lesson 3 – Female peppers have 4 bumps on the bottom. Females are more round and have a sweeter taste than the males. I use these for vegetable trays, fresh salads and cold pasta dishes. However, they have more seeds than the male.

Finally, the next time you’re at the grocery store, use your new knowledge on selecting belle peppers. Simply flip those babies over and check out the bumps. Most importantly, make your selection according to the dish you’re preparing.

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on reasons to garden in your backyard. I started gardening years ago, and it quickly became a passion. Planting a vegetable garden was something that I always wanted to do, but never made the time. I love fresh vegetables, especially tomatoes. The taste and price of tomatoes in my local grocery store sent me into high gear. They were expensive, hard, and tasted like cardboard.

My grandfather had a garden when I was growing up. Picking weeds out of his garden was an expectation when I was visiting. I also remember all of his children being supplied with fresh vegetables during the summer, and the week-ends spent canning the harvest. Fortunately, I decided to grow my own vegetables, and I’m so glad I did. I look forward to each growing season now.

Reasons to Garden:

It’s so relaxing. And I’ve learned to appreciate the open country and the quiet that it brings.
My land wasn’t being using to its full potential.
Store brought fruits and vegetables are expensive.
I love working with my hands, and making things grow.
Saving money on my grocery bill is a plus.
Provides an opportunity to connect with other gardeners. Connecting with others who grow fresh vegetables and flowers provides an opportunity to learn different techniques and make new friendships.
My vegetables are better than the stores. I love walking by the produce in the grocery store smiling because I know mine is better.
I’ve learned to grow my vegetables from seed.
I love having fresh vegetables, homemade salsa and sauce during the winter.
I love sharing my harvest with family and friends and the local food banks.
Great exercise without leaving home.

Yes, gardening is time consuming, but it’s so rewarding. It’s a great way to get out of the house and get moving. I sleep so much better after a day of working in my yard. Furthermore, involve your children. They can get a sense of how food grows and will make better choices in food selection. They will also learn how to sustain themselves, and save on the grocery bill.

You don’t need acres of land to garden. If you lack land, put a few planters on your deck or patio. You can grow tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, radishes and the list goes on in containers. Do you currently garden? If so, do you use containers, raised beds or row garden? Also, check out my other backyard vegetable gardening tips before you leave.