Seasoning vegetables are the staple of any kitchen garden cook’s kitchen. Think about it. What would chili taste like without onions? Or, try making fresh tomato sauce and leave out the garlic. Trust me, your taste buds would be highly disappointed. And yet seasoning vegetables like, scallions, shallots, leeks, even onions and garlic are probably the least likely vegetables to be found in the home garden.

Seasoning vegetables, like every other vegetable, always taste better when fresh grown. Your same old recipes will explode with new zip and zing simply by replacing those no-taste store bought seasoning veggies with picked-from-your own-garden fresh ones.

How to Grow Seasoning Vegetables

Seasoning vegetables grow from bulbs underground and require very little room. They can be inter-planted amongst other vegetables and even grown amid your flowers to save even more precious garden space.

All seasoning vegetables need to be planted in full sun, in soil that has been worked deeply. Well draining, stone-free soil rich in composted organic matter is best. Deep containers will work equally as well.

Seasoning Vegetables to Try in Your Garden

Onions - can be grown from seeds, plants or sets. I prefer to use the sets, which are actually small, dry onions. They grow to full size in approximately 80 to 90 days after planting them. Onions need to be cured after harvesting them. Leave them in a spot with good air circulation for about three weeks before removing the dry foliage by cutting it to about one inch above the top of the onion.

Garlic - is grown from cloves (bulbs) Keep in mind when planting garlic that the larger the clove, the larger the full grown garlic will be. If you live in the south, plant your garlic in the autumn and harvest in the spring. If you live in the northern hemisphere, plant your garlic in the springtime and harvest it next fall.

Leeks - can be started from seeds indoors but they require a lot of time. You need to start your seeds at least 10 weeks before the last frost in springtime. Leeks are similar to onions but have a lighter, sweeter taste. An added bonus is that leek flowers are edible and make a fun addition to your salads.

Scallions - are usually grown from seeds, sown indoors at least 8 weeks before the last spring frost. They can be used while still young in about 60 days or wait for them to mature in approximately 4 months.

Shallots- are grown from bulbs planted pointed side up. They are used in ways similar to onions but keep in mind that they are more delicate than their cousins and will cook much quicker. Their foliage is also edible but when picking, be sure to leave enough of the leaves intact so that your whole shallots can grow to maturity.

Some of the gourmet varieties or seasoning vegetables will cost you a pretty penny when purchased at the grocery store. Grow your own and save some money.

Plant your seasoning vegetable bulbs easier with this great Bulb Planter And Augeravailable at Amazon.com.

Photo appears courtesy of Bludgeoner86.