Fun Ideas for Your Summer Harvest
Late summer and fall is the season of abundance, and there’s nothing quite like harvesting fresh produce from your own garden. Whether you are a seasoned green thumb or just starting with your own backyard oasis, there is something special about picking and sharing the fruits of your labor. Celebrating your bountiful harvest can be fun for the whole family and here are some ideas to get the party going! In this article, we'll provide some fun and creative ways to make the most of your harvest. And to help keep your garden thriving, we’ll introduce you to Rain Bird irrigation systems, which can make watering your plants a breeze.
Celebrate with a Garden Harvest Party
One fun way to enjoy the fruits of your labor is to throw a garden harvest party. Invite family and friends to showcase the delicious bounty from your garden. Serving mouth-watering “farm to table” dishes using fresh-picked produce, herbs and flowers harvested from your garden is a great way to impress your guests with vibrant flavors and colors. A few tantalizing dishes to treat your guest are salads, k-bobs, stir-fries, salsas and sauces like pesto and fresh tomato sauce. Or go out on a limb and try a version of your own veggie burger! Check out resources like My Garden Life for more inspiration and tips for hosting a garden harvest party your guests will never forget!
Preserve Your Harvest for Later Use
If you happen to find yourself with an overabundance of fresh vegetables, don’t throw them away! Preserve your summer yield to enjoy the flavors after the growing season ends. Consider canning, freezing, or dehydrating your produce to extend their shelf life. Homemade pickles, canned tomatoes, dried herbs and frozen vegetables are great for winter soups and stews. Slice and freeze peppers for fajitas or sausage and peppers, or rough chop them for omelets and fall chili. If veggie scraps remain, collect them in a freezer bag for a future batch of vegetable broth. Check out Ready Gardens for more preservation methods for your vegetables and herbs.
Share the Bounty
Spread the joy of your garden by sharing your surplus harvest with friends, neighbors, or local food banks. You’ll reduce food waste while making a positive impact on your community. Create personalized gift baskets of fresh produce or herbs, or organize a neighborhood produce swap where everyone can exchange their excess crops. Remember, generosity grows in the garden.
Plan for Future Harvests
While you enjoy this season’s harvest, consider planning for next year. Assess your garden’s performance and note any adjustments or improvements you’d like to implement. Keep notes in a small journal or notebook you can add to from year to year. Consider changes such as crop rotations to optimize soil health and how to use your spaces best by companion planting or adding an irrigation system to reach dryer areas.
Introducing Rain Bird Irrigation Systems
The best way to ensure that you have a harvest to enjoy is to keep your garden properly watered all summer long. How do you do that? Rain Bird has many different solutions, so there’s sure to be one that’s right for you and your garden.
Rain Bird, a global leader in irrigation systems, provides innovative and reliable solutions to homeowners, professional gardeners, and landscapers alike. There is a wide range of Rain Bird products that ensures your garden gets the right amount of water at the right time, making the most efficient water use and removing the guesswork.
For example, a sprinkler rotor, such as the Rain Bird 32SAP, attaches easily to a hose to gently water your garden. Or consider a drip irrigation system for watering a small backyard garden which eliminates the constant hassle of moving garden hoses and making manual adjustments. These user-friendly systems attach to an outside water faucet and when combined with a timer like the Rain Bird Hose End Timer, can water your lawn automatically throughout the season. No more worrying about dry patches or overwatering.
Find the complete line of Rain Bird irrigation products at major home improvement stores, popular online retailers, and the Rain Bird Store. To find the location nearest you, simply click this link. Please note that while most stores carry a selection of Rain Bird products, it’s a good idea to call ahead and confirm product availability before visiting the store.
From hosting a garden harvest party, preserving the surplus, sharing with others, and planning for future seasons, there are endless possibilities to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of your labor now and for years. And to ensure your garden continues flourishing, Rain Bird irrigation systems are always available to give you the best harvest possible for years to come.
