Sweet Frugal Life

Being Frugal Doesn't Make Life Any Less Sweet

How To Freeze Fresh Corn

By: Sweet Frugal Life6 Comments

How to freeze fresh sweet corn.

Is there really anything better than fresh sweet corn?  Not in my book!  Every year I plant a large corn patch in my garden and wait in anticipation as the stalks grow and the cobs begin to develop.  Corn on the cob is probably one of my favorite foods, but garden freezer corn might be a close second.  It’s so fun to have a freezer full of fresh corn.  Today I am going to teach you exactly how to freeze fresh corn!

 

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How to Freeze Fresh Corn

In only a few quick steps you can have corn prepped and ready to freeze for winter storage.  This freezer corn tastes so much better than store bought, and my goal is to always make enough to last us through the winter.  Truthfully, I’ve never reached my goal!  But one of these days I’ll get there!  😉

1.  Shuck Your Corn

The first step to freezing corn is to shuck it.  (Does anyone else really dislike the word “shuck”?)

Kids love helping with this step!  When shucking your corn try to get as much silk off of the cob as possible.  We don’t want any silk in our frozen corn!

2.  Blanche The Corn

Step two is to blanch the corn.

Blanching is the process of bringing the corn to a boil for a short amount of time and then cooling it down quickly.  This is a necessary process when freezing vegetables to preserve the taste and color and kill off any dirt or organisms.

To blanch your corn bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Drop 8-10 cobs into the pot and return to a boil.

Boil the corn for 3 minutes.  Make sure to start timing the three minutes only once the water returns back to a boil.

After three minutes of boiling your corn take it out of the large pot and drop the cobs into a bowl of ice cold water.  You want the cobs to cool down immediately.

3.  Cut The Corn Off The Cob

Let the corn cool in the ice water for 3-5 minutes.  Once it is cool enough to handle, take it out of the water and use a sharp knife to cut the corn off of the cob.   Let the cut corn pile on the cutting board until you have enough to start packaging.

  If you’re lucky you can convince your husband to help you with this step.  😉

4.  Package The Corn

To package your corn you will need to use either a Food Saver or Freezer Ziplock Bags.  I have used both.  The Food Saver gets more air out than the bags (which is important), but the Freezer Ziplock Bags are a little quicker to use.  Either one works, so choose what’s best for you!

When filling your bags with the corn I suggest using a measuring cup to measure the exact amount of corn you want in each bag.  My family eats about 2 cups of corn at a time, so I put 2 cups of corn in each bag.

Seal each bag shut tightly.  Make sure to get as much air out of the bags as possible to prevent freezer burn.

5.  Freeze The Corn

That’s it!  Your corn is ready to be put in the freezer.

Just label, and date each bag and lay it flat in your freezer.

Freezer corn will stay good for up to one year.

Enjoy!!  I’m so excited for you!  These are perfect for soups, stews, casseroles, or steamed.

 

Wanting More To Freeze?

If you have more garden produce to store for the winter make sure to check out my other garden freezing tutorials!  This is one of my favorite ways to preserve the garden harvest!

Don’t Forget To Pin This Article For Next Years Harvest!

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I hope this helped you to understand how to freeze fresh corn.

How to Store Onions From the Garden

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

The best way to preserve onions from the garden.

It’s officially harvest time at my house.  I love this time of year.  When the fields turn golden, the garden is producing, and I can finally enjoy the fruits of our labor.  I have been curing my onions the past couple of weeks and am excited to have them saved in my home to enjoy throughout the winter months.  Onions are one of the easiest garden crops to grow.  They are very low maintenance and easy to harvest and store.  I’m excited to show you today how to store onions from the garden (which is so easy PS!).

How To Harvest Onions

You will know it is time to harvest your onions when you notices these two things happening:

  1. The green stems will begin falling over.
  2. The onions will be large and sticking out of the ground.

It is actually really easy to harvest your onions!  All you need to do is pull the onions out by grabbing down them by the bulb and yanking them out of the ground. 

Your onions should come out of the ground fairly quick and easy!  Fill that wheelbarrow up with onions and you’re ready to start preserving them.  We will talk about that next!

 

How To Preserve Onions From The Garden

There are a few different ways to preserve your garden onions.  This article is going to tell you all about freezing and curing onions.  

How to Freeze Onions

I love to freeze onions!  It makes meal prep so quick and easy to just grab the already chopped onions out off the freezer.

First, you need to chop the onions into tiny pieces.  (secretly, I totally wear swimming goggles when I do this to help prevent crying….it works!)

 

Next, lay the chopped onions onto a cookie sheet.  You want them in a single layer and not touching each other as much as possible (it’s impossible to make them perfect, so just do the best you can!). 

 

 

Now, stick the cookie sheets into your freezer.  We are doing what’s called a “flash freeze.”

Let the onions freeze on the cookie sheet for 2-3 hours or until frozen through.

Once the onions are frozen, pull them out of the freezer and scoop them into ziplock freezer bags.

     

 

Label your freezer bag with the contents and year and then stick the bags into your freezer.  These will stay good for up to one year.  I use these chopped onions straight from the freezer in all of my cooking!

 

How to Cure Onions

Sometimes you just want a fresh onion, and that is where curing comes in!  It’s the best way to store whole onions for long term storage.

After harvesting your onions place them in a dry and shaded spot.  You don’t want them to get wet or a lot of direct sunlight. In a garage or under a porch is perfect for this!  Don’t worry about windy conditions.  This will actually help the onions to cure quicker.

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Let your onions sit and cure for about 3-4 weeks.  You will know they are done when their stems are completely dry and brown. 

Check your onions to make sure they all cured correctly.  If you find a few with bruised spots or didn’t completely cure just toss them out.  I don’t worry about those to much.

Now, just cut the stem off using scissors and place them in a basket or mesh bag.  Make sure they have air circulation and are only stacked three deep.

Keep your cured onions in a dark, dry, cool place for 6-12 months.  A basement storage room works great for this!

 

In Conclusion

Onions are one of the easiest garden produce to preserve.  I love going into my storage room in the middle of January and grabbing a garden onion!  Truly the best feeling!

  Let me know if you have any other questions!  I’m always happy to help!

 

Related Articles:

9 Vegetables to Grow in Your Beginner Garden

How to Freeze Raspberries

19 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze

 

Pin For Later:

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I hope you now understand how to store onions from the garden!

What Should I Plant In My Garden? I’ll help you decide!

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Wondering what is the best things to plant in the garden?  I’m here to help you decide!

Asking yourself the question, “What should I plant in my garden?”  I’ve been there!  Keep reading to help you plan the perfect garden for you!

I am so excited that Spring is here! The snow has (finally!) all melted around my house and I’ve been anxiously checking my garden every day.  I can’t wait to start planting little seeds.  There is nothing more exciting to me than planting a tiny little seed into the ground and watching it grow into a beautiful plant producing a bountiful harvest. It’s so satisfying!  If you are trying to decide what to plant in your garden this year, here are a few steps to help you make the decision!

Trying to decide what to plant in my garden each year can be a lot of fun!  I love receiving my Burpee Seed Catalog each year and planning what to plant and when.  It usually involves a lot of big dreams of a huge garden bearing lots of produce….and zero weeds…..  To bad it never ends up exactly that way!  😉

While fun, this is also one of the most important steps to gardening.  If you are wanting a successful harvest, it’s crucial that you think hard about what to plant.  Not every seed is right for every gardener.

Questions To Ask Yourself When Planning Your Garden

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when deciding what crops to plant.  They should help you make the best decision about what will be best for you personally to grow.  Let me know in the comments if you have any other gardening questions!

best things to plant in garden - planting a garden

What Produce Does Our Family Enjoy?

One of the first questions you should ask yourself when deciding what to plant in your garden is what fruits and vegetables does your family enjoy eating the most? 

It’s really easy to get carried away planting all the things that many people often forget to focus on the basic foods that their family enjoys the most.  If you have a bountiful harvest, but nobody will eat it, then it’s not worth planting in the first place….right????  Right!

Spend a minute thinking about the produce you buy weekly at the grocery store, and then make a list of these grocery staples to help give you some gardening inspiration.

For example, my list would look like this:

  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Bananas
  • Oranges
  • Strawberries
  • Grapefruit
  • Watermelon
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Onions
  • Lettuce
  • Tomatoes
  • Peas
  • Corn
  • Green Beans

Now, this is a list of the produce I buy for my family most often, but not everything on this list will grow well in my garden.  This is where the following questions come in.

 

What Grows Well In My Climate?

The next question you need to ask yourself is what grows well in your specific location.  I would love to tell you exactly what to plant and when, but there’s a good chance your growing season/climate will be very different from mine.  

The first step to learning what will grow well in your location is to find out what zone you are in.  Your planting zone will tell you when to plant which crops.  You can easily find your planting zone here.

For example, I live in Zone 5.  This means that I have a shorter growing season than somewhere like Zone 9.  The crops that grow well in Zone 5 can differ from the ones in Zone 9.

Another great way to find out what grows well in your climate is to ask other gardeners in your area.  If you have neighbors or friends who enjoy gardening, ask them what they enjoy growing most and have had the most success with.

Once you have determined your zone, start researching the best crops for that zone.  This can easily be found using a google search.

 

How Much Garden Space Do I Have?

The size of your garden is a huge factor when deciding what you should plant in your garden.  If you have a small garden, you might not want to plant crops that take up a large amount of space, like pumpkins, corn or watermelon.

If you have a smaller garden, I recommend planting crops that need a smaller space, such as spinach or carrots.

And, if you are planting in containers, you will want to only plant what grows best in containers.  I’ll share a few ideas below with you.

Plants That Grow Well In Containers:

  • Tomatoes
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Herbs
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Strawberries

Plants That Need A Lot Of Space To Grow:

  • Corn
  • Pumpkins
  • Bush Beans
  • Peas
  • Raspberries

Plants That Grow Well In Small Gardens:

  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Radishes
  • Pole Beans

 

What Crops Are Most Expensive To Purchase At The Store?

If you are gardening as a way to save money, which I recommend, try to focus on growing the produce that is most expensive to buy at the store.  

A few of the crops I have found that are cheaper to grow than buy are:

  • Bell Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Herbs
  • Squash
  • Lettuce
  • Berries
  • Green Beans

One of the great parts of gardening is the ability to preserve what you grow, so that you can use it throughout the year.  This is especially important for the produce that is most expensive.

Bell peppers and berries can easily be frozen using the flash freeze method I talk about here.  Herbs can even be frozen using the ice cube method taught here.  This gives you even more bang for your buck all year long.

 

How Much Time Do I Want To Spend Gardening?

Gardening is time consuming, that is just a fact of life.  In order to grow and harvest a garden, you will need to be able to donate some of your time to each crop.

If you enjoy gardening and want to spend more time on it, than you might consider growing high maintenance crops, such as:

  • Green Beans
  • Peas
  • Fruit Trees
  • Corn

If you are looking for some easy to grow, less time consuming crops, I would consider:

  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Beets
  • Onions

 

Still wondering, “What should I plant in my garden?”

If this is your first year planting a garden, I always recommend starting small.  Choose a few of your favorite vegetables, that will grow well in your area to plant this year.  If it goes well then you can add a few more next year.

It truly takes trial and error before you find the right crops to plant in your garden, but you will figure it out.  I believe in you!

Want a little inspiration?  I’ll share what I am planting this year! 

This year I am planting:

  • Peas
  • Green Beans
  • Pumpkins
  • Corn
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Beets

I usually plant tomatoes and peppers, but have finally (and a little reluctantly) decided they are just to difficult for me to grow in my very windy garden spot.  And that’s ok!  

Happy planting!!!

 

Related Articles:

 

Pin For Future Gardening Inspiration:

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what to plant in the garden - gardening tips for beginners

I hope this article helps you decide what to plant in your garden.

How to Make Sweet Zucchini Relish Recipe

By: Sweet Frugal Life4 Comments

Easy Canned Zucchini Relish Recipe.

When I married my husband, I had no idea the plethora of new and delicious recipes I would learn about.  My in laws have introduced me to so many yummy foods that I never even knew existed.  One of them is this Sweet Zucchini Relish recipe. 

This is honestly the very best relish I have ever had.  Every single person who I have shared this relish with loves it!  I am always being asked to share the recipe.  Zucchini relish is perfect to eat this relish on hamburgers, hot dogs, biscuits and gravy, and sandwiches.

I love to make a big batch of zucchini relish every summer to use up our garden zucchini surplus.  A jar of zucchini relish makes a wonderful gift to give to new neighbors, friends or as Christmas gifts.

how to make zucchini relish - sweet relish recipe

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Zucchini Relish Prep

Zucchini relish is so easy to make.  It takes a little prep and planning, but the steps are really simple.

First, you need to grate 10 cups of zucchini and 4 cups onion.  If you have a food processor, I suggest using it.  Sadly, my food processor was broken so I used my grater.

Dump your shredded zucchini and onion into a large bowl.

Next, add 5 tablespoons of salt and stir well.

Cover bowl and put in fridge and let it sit overnight.

The Next Morning

After your relish sits for 12 hours (or overnight) get it out and put it into a strainer.

Rinse with cold water.

Afterwards, use a spoon to try to push out as much moisture/water from the relish as possible.

Once you have gotten out as much moisture as possible, pour the zucchini mixture into a large pot.

Shred 2 green bell peppers and 1 red bell pepper.  You can use 3 green peppers if you prefer, the red just adds a little color.  Put the shredded peppers into pot.

After that add the following ingredients to the pot:

  • 6 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp. celery seed
  • 2 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1 tsp. turmeric
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1 tsp. black pepper

Stir well.  Turn stove to low and cook mixture for 30-1 hour.

The more moisture your zucchini has, the longer it will need to cook.  It’s OK for it to still be a little runny/watery when bottling.

Fill hot mason jars with relish and top with a hot canning lid.

Process pints following canning procedures in hot water bath for 15 minutes.

Let sit on counter to cool and lids to seal.

Enjoy!  Let me know if you have any questions!

Sweet Zucchini Relish

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 10 cups zucchini
  • 4 cups onion
  • 5 Tbsp salt
  • 2 green bell peppers
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 6 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp celery seed
  • 2 1/2 cups vinegar
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Use food processor or grater to shred zucchini and onions. Put in large bowl.
  • Add salt to mixture.
  • Cover bowl and put in fridge to sit overnight.
  • After sitting overnight put zucchini in a strainer and rinse well with cold water.
  • Use spoon to press out as much moisture as possible from zucchini.
  • Pour mixture into a large, heavy pot.
  • Grind peppers and add to mixture.
  • Add sugar, celery seed, vinegar, nutmeg, dry mustard, turmeric, cornstarch, and black pepper. Stir well.
  • Turn stove to low and cook relish for 30-60 minutes. The more moisture the zucchini has, the longer it will need to cook. It is OK for it to be a little runny and watery when bottling.
  • Pour mixture into hot pint sized mason jars. Process in hot water bath, using safe canning procedures, for 15 minutes.

I can’t wait for you to try this sweet zucchini relish recipe!  You will love it!

 

Pin this recipe so you can make it again:

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How to make canned zucchini relish.

How to Make Zucchini Noodles With a Spiralizer

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to make zoodles with this easy tutorial.

My zucchini plants have been generous this year, and I have loved it!  Zucchini is one of my favorite veggies because it’s the vegetable that just keeps on giving (and giving and giving and giving…..); plus it is so versatile!  We have been enjoying zucchini in bread, cookies, on the grill, fried, etc.  One of my very favorite ways to cook zucchini is to turn it into zoodles!  Zoodles is a great, healthier alternative to noodles (and if you pick the zucchini from your garden….it’s also FREE!).  I love to serve zucchini noodle with marinara or Alfredo sauce, but any of your fave pasta sauces will work great!  If cooked correctly, the zoodles are really not a lot different from regular noodles.  They are also much more filling, with much less calories!  Sometimes my kids don’t even realize what they are eating……emphasis on the sometimes.  I’m excited to teach you today how to make zucchini noodles with a spiralizer.

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Homemade Zoodles Tutorial

Zoodles might look fancy, but they are actually so easy to make; especially when you use a vegetable spiralizer.  Honestly my frugal self tried for years to make zucchini noodles without a spiralizer and I just couldn’t do it!  So, I bought this spiralizer and haven’t looked back since!

First things first, if your zucchini is long, you will want to cut it down into smaller chunks.  This will make it easier to move through the spiralizer.

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Next, you will need to prep your vegetable spiralizer.  I use the Thin Spiral for my zoodles.  Put your thin spiral attachment in the spiralizer and then stick one of the zuchinni chunks into the middle, in between the handle and the blade.  Easy peasy!

Now, all you need to do is twist!  This part is so simple (and…kindof fun….really!).  The zucchini will spiral through the blade, be sure to have a plate to catch all the spirals!  Kids love helping with and watching the noodles come out.

If you want to eat your zoodles raw (which you totally can!) they are ready.  I prefer cooking them over the stove for a few minutes (don’t worry it is quick!) to warm them up.

How to Cook Zoodles

Heat 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil in a sauce pan.  Once the oil is hot, add the zoodles.

Toss zoodles in the oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper.  Continue stirring and cooking for 2-5 minutes.  I like them to be soft, but slightly firm.

And that’s it!  They are done.  Serve with your favorite pasta sauce.  ENJOY!!!

What’s your favorite thing to make with your garden zucchini???  I would love to hear it in the comments below!

Related Articles:

How To Cure And Store Your Garden Onions

How To Freeze Peas (in a few quick steps)

Easy Tin Foil Dinner Recipe

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I hope you enjoyed this tutorial about how to make zoodles.

 

How to Freeze Raspberries

By: Sweet Frugal Lifecomment

Check out this easy freezing fresh raspberries tutorial.

Last week my dad invited me to come pick raspberries at his raspberry patch.  I look forward to this all year long!  He has a huge patch and is so kind to share these berries with us.  We always pick a few gallons and then freeze most of them to use throughout the winter months.  Today I am going to show you just how easy it is to freeze raspberries.

I like to flash freeze my berries.  This is one of the easiest methods I have found!  All you will have to do is pull your bag of frozen berries out of the freezer, dump out the amount of berries you need (they don’t clump together!) and enjoy!

Raspberries are one of my favorite fruits to preserve.  They are so easy to freeze and stay fresh and delicious throughout the year.  I planted a raspberry patch a few years ago and still haven’t seen any berries!  I’m hoping to get a good crop next year!

How to Freeze Raspberries

To freeze raspberries you will want to do a flash freeze.  This process is very easy, everyone can do it!

We love to use our frozen raspberries in smoothies, pies, jam, or just eating frozen right out of the bag.

Frozen raspberries will stay good for 6-12 months after freezing, which is perfect timing for the next raspberry season!

Prep Raspberries

After picking your raspberries, wash them very gently in the sink.  Raspberries are fragile, so do this part carefully.  To be honest with you, sometimes I skip washing just because of how fragile the berries are.  I’ll leave the decision up to you!

Toss out any bruised or bad berries, we don’t want to freeze those!

Lay raspberries on a cookie sheet.  Try not to let any of them touch each other, but squish as many on as you can!  This is a perfect job for kids to help with.  I love talking with my kids as we take time placing each raspberry on the pan.

Freezing Raspberries

Now just stick those cookie sheets in your freezer to let the raspberries flash freeze.

Leave them in the freezer for 2-4 hours or until the raspberries are frozen.

Once frozen pull the cookie sheets out of the freezer and you will want to quickly put the berries in a ziplock freezer bag.  Don’t worry, this is super easy to do!

Just grab a spatula and scrape the berries off the pan.  They will come off really easily.  Put them all into your bag, get out all excess air and seal tightly.

Date and label the bag and pop it into the freezer.  You want to move quick on these last steps so that your raspberries don’t begin to thaw.

Use your frozen berries within 6-12 months.  Enjoy!

You can use this same method for freezing all the berries!  I have used it for raspberries, strawberries, huckleberries, and blueberries.  

Related Articles:

Freezing Peas Tutorial

How To Freeze Fresh Corn

How To Cure And Store Your Garden Onions

 

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Tips to freeze raspberries - how to preserve raspberries freezing raspberries tutorial how to freeze raspberries for beginners

I hope this tutorial helped you understand how to freeze raspberries.

9 Easiest Vegetables To Grow In First Garden

By: Sweet Frugal Life6 Comments

Beginner Gardening Tips!

Gardening season is just around the corner and so it’s the perfect time to share a few tips about some of the easiest vegetables to grow in your first garden.

I am so excited for garden season!  I’ve already  started mapping out my garden and planning all the yummy produce I will be growing.  My goal every year is to grow enough produce so that I don’t have to buy any throughout the summer.  I haven’t quite met this goal yet, but I have faith one year I will find success (fingers crossed!).

Another goal I work towards each summer is to grow enough produce to preserve for use throughout the winter.  If done correctly gardening can be a huge money saver.  If you have wanted to start gardening but are unsure where to begin, this is the article for you.

easy to grow vegetables

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Choosing the Perfect Garden Spot

If this is your first time planting a garden you will need to prep your garden area.  I recommend starting small at first.  If you have success with a small garden, then you can slowly increase the size every few years.

When choosing  a garden plot pick a spot in your yard that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.  The more sunlight, the better!

Also, think about the logistics of your garden area.  Is it within reach of your garden hose, so it can be watered?  Is the ground flat?  Both of these are important aspects of a successful garden.

 

Prepping Your Garden Plot

Vegetables grow best in soft, loose soil.  Once you have your garden spot picked out spend some time tilling up the soil.  We use a garden rototiller for this.  Here is a fairly cheap tiller on Amazon with really great reviews.

For best garden results, spread a 2 inch layer of compost or manure over your soil before tilling.  This gives the plants extra heat and needed nutrients.

Once your soil is loose and fertile you are ready for planting!

 

Where to Buy Seeds

You can buy your garden seeds at any local garden supply store or online.  Remember when choosing what to grow, pay attention to your local Hardiness Zone.  This will help you determine what to plant and when to plant it.

The Best Beginner Garden Vegetables

And now it’s time to learn all about the easiest vegetables to grow in first garden for beginners!  Remember, when deciding what to plant in your garden, choose the vegetables that your family already likes and eats regularly.  If your family isn’t going to eat it, it’s probably not worth planting!

1.  Lettuce

 

Lettuce is one of the easiest garden vegetables!  Lettuce is a cold weather crop and grows best in the spring and fall months.  So, remember to plant early!

When planting lettuce, it’s best to plant seeds in 1/4 inch dirt and water regularly.  Once they start sprouting, thin plants 8-10 inches apart.  Lettuce should be ready to harvest within 6 weeks.

2.  Potatoes

 

I was raised on an Idaho Potato Farm, so you know potatoes will be on this list!

Not only are potatoes easy to grow, they are also easy to store!  This means, if stored correctly, you can enjoy your home grown potatoes throughout the winter months.  Woo, even more money saved!

Plant seed potatoes 4 weeks after your last frost.  They grow well when planted in a 6 inch deep hole and 12 inches apart.

About 80-100 days after planting the vines will begin to die.  This is the sign that your potatoes are ready to harvest.

To harvest potatoes, simply dig them from the ground, and rub off the dirt.

Store your harvested potatoes in a cool, dark place.  A basement storage room or cellar works well.  Just make sure they get as little light as possible!

3.  Peas

I love to grow peas!  There is just something so nostalgic about sitting out on our front porch shelling our home grown peas with my kids.  Plus, peas are another one of the easiest vegetables to grow!

Peas are a cold weather crop and should be planted as soon as you can work your soil.  These vegetables grow well on a trellis.  Be creative with your trellis, we used chicken wire, just because we already had some in our garage.

Plant rows of peas next to your trellis.  As the plants grow, train them to grow up on the trellis.  This makes harvesting peas much easier!  Promise!

4.  Beets

 

Beets are another easy vegetable for your first garden.  They grow best in cooler temperatures, so plant them during the early spring months.  I always plant my peas, beets and lettuce at the same time.

When planting beets, sow your beet seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart.  Thin your beet plants as they grow to prevent crowding.  Your beets should be ready to harvest within 70 days of planting.  (I love juicing my garden beets!  They are delicious!)

5.  Carrots

 

Carrots are another one of my favorite vegetables to grow!  You can get so many sweet, crunchy carrots from just a handful of baby seeds.

The secret to perfect carrots is well drained, deep, fine soil.  Mix some sand with your soil to make it extra fine, which will help the carrots to grow long and straight.

Carrots also need to be thinned well.  If they aren’t thinned properly they will grow together making deformed carrots….and nobody wants deformed carrots!

When watering carrots remember to water deep, and then let the ground dry out.  Deep watering will help the carrots to grow longer and thinner, which is what we want!

6.  Zucchini

 

If you plant one zucchini seed you’ll feed your neighborhood for a year.  Ha!  Not really, but kind of!  A zucchini plant is the gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving.  Which is why they are so awesome to grow!

To plant, sow two zucchini seeds in a fertilized dirt mound.  You can plant more seeds in mounds 3 to 6 feet apart.

Shredded zucchini freezes really well!  I use my frozen zucchini in smoothies and baking.

7.  Pumpkins

 

There really isn’t anything more fun than watching a baby pumpkin grow into a large carving pumpkin.  Pumpkins aren’t only fun to carve, they also make fun fall decorations and can be used in baking.

Planting pumpkins is very similar to planting zucchini; in mounds spaced 3 to 6 feet apart.  Pumpkins grow best with plenty of compost mixed into the soil.  Also, be sure to give your pumpkins lots of water.  They are thirsty plants!

8. Beans

 

There are many different varieties of beans to plant, making it a great crop for everyone!  I prefer pole beans because they are easier to harvest.

If you grow bush beans no trellis is needed.  However, pole beans will need something to climb on.  We use chicken wire (because it’s what we already have), but you could also use poles or strings.

Beans need lots of warmth and sun to grow, so be sure they receive plenty of sun throughout the day, and some extra compost is helpful too!

9.  Onions

 

I planted onions for the first time last year and can’t believe it’s taken me this long to start growing them!  Honestly, I didn’t give them much care or attention, but they grew and grew.  We have them stored in our basement and I love grabbing my garden onions when prepping dinner.

Plant onions using what’s called an “onion set.”  An onion set is basically a small bulb.  You can find these anywhere that sells garden seeds.

When planting, place your onion sets 2 to 6 inches apart and cover with 1 inch of loose soil.

Onions are ready to harvest when their tops begin to yellow and fall over.  Check out this article for more info about how to cure and store your onions.

A Few Tips For The Beginner Gardener

Here are a few tips for starting your beginner vegetable garden.

  • Water your garden in the morning or evening, and avoid watering during the heat of the day.  This gives the water a chance to soak into the ground before evaporating.

 

  • Water deep (about 2 inches worth of water) and less often (about 1-2 times a week).  The soil needs a chance to dry out to prevent disease.

 

  • Use mulch between garden rows to help keep the weeds down.  Mulch will also keep moisture in the ground, which is what we want!

 

  • Experience is the best teacher.  You will have a few fails, and you will have some successes.  But, over time you will find what works best for you and your garden.  Do not give up!

In Conclusion

Alright, it’s your turn!  Now, it’s time for you to get to work planning your first garden!

Remember what we learned:  First, check your zone, pick a few plants from my beginner garden vegetables list (make sure your family will eat them), and then get to work planting them in your garden.

Then, the best part comes!  Watching those beautiful green seedlings pop out of the ground.

Be sure to reach out if you have any questions!  I love to talk about gardening!

Leave me a comment telling me what veggies you are planting in your garden this year!

 

 

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I hope you find success in these easiest vegetables to grow ideas!

8 Cheap Ways To Update Your Yard

By: Sweet Frugal Life10 Comments

Backyard makeover on a budget.

There is just something so refreshing about an updated yard.  It gives your house some extra curb appeal, and makes for an enjoyable outdoor space.  I love spending quiet summer evenings in our backyard.  We live in a new house, which means empty plain yard.  Slowly, we have been trying to update our yard and give it some extra spark.  The only problem, is that yard updates can get expensive, and we are on a tight budget!  I’ve been doing a lot of research this past year and wanted to share some of the cheap ways to update your yard I have found.

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7 cheap ways to update your yard

1.  Outdoor Rug

A fresh new rug can do wonders to any space, and a yard is no different!  Rugs add color, charm and the homey feel.  Consider getting a new rug to put on your porch, patio or deck.  I found a few cute and affordable options below!

I love the natural look of this basket weave area rug.  It’s less than $65 with free shipping!

Another beautiful rug I have had my eye on is this beautiful black and white striped rug and I just might purchase it!  It’s super trendy and would match my house perfectly!  Plus, it’s less than $40!

 

If you are looking for a rug with a little more color, check out this pretty vintage geometric rug.  I love the splash of color it will give to any space and it’s less than $80.

 

 2.  Build an Outdoor Fire Pit

We love sitting around an outdoor fire with family and friends, and is a great statement in any yard.  Our fire pit is such a fun spot for making memories, especially with little ones around.

You can buy an outdoor fire pit, but I think it’s much cheaper to build your own.  We were lucky enough to find bricks being given away for free and built our fire pit using those.  It didn’t cost us anything!  I found a great tutorial from Home Depot here to help you get started.

3.  Add a Path

Adding a path to your yard is an easy way to add some style and uniqueness to the layout.  Plus, it can be done for cheap if you do it yourself.

A budget friendly garden path can be made using rocks, mulch or even stone.  I’m sharing a few inspiration pictures below!  Search YouTube for video tutorials.  You will find plenty!

Rock Paths

Mulch Paths

Stone Paths

4.  Mood Lighting

Another great hack for giving your yard a new look without spending a lot of money is to add some new lighting.  Everything looks better with the right lighting.  You can really change the mood of your yard if you add some pretty lights.

Consider hanging a string of lights like these trendy string lights.  They are only $28.95 and super cute!  Perfect to string across the patio.

 

Another fun lighting option are these solar garden lights.  They are a cute addition to flower beds or garden paths.  Plus, they are priced under $40 with fantastic reviews!

 

How cute are these solar hanging mason jar lights???  I just added them to my wish list and can’t wait to hang them up!  These lights would look cute lined up on a set of stairs, hanging from a tree, or around your patio.

 

5.  Add a Trellis

A trellis is a very frugal way to add variety to your yard.  You can easily build your own trellis using the tutorial found here.  Or, buy a cheap one from amazon.  I love this pretty trellis below!

 

But, the very cheapest way to add a trellis to your yard is by looking for free materials to re purpose.  You can easily transform vintage metal into a beautiful trellis.  Keep your eyes out for materials at garage sales, thrift stores, or on free facebook share groups.

Look at this cute vintage metal gate!  It would make a perfect trellis!  When decorating, always keep your mind open to new ideas!

6.  Clearly Define Spaces

Make your yard more visually appealing by separating it into different spaces.  This is a great way to give your yard some variety.

There are so many different ways to define spaces.  You might not even need to buy a thing!  Look through your garage, shed, and house to find items you already own that you can use.

One easy way to make a distinct space is to use furniture to block off a specific sitting/visiting area.  Look for used yard furniture on facebook marketplace.  If you are patient you should be able to find a good deal!

I love this backyard below.  They have a few different patio sets making for distinct visiting areas and a beautiful yard.

 

Another frugal options is to add mulch to a playground area.  This looks much nicer than putting the play equipment straight on the grass.  You can usually find mulch for fairly cheap from your local garden store.

Here’s another cute space example. I love how they used pavers to make a fun sitting area.  This would make a great DIY project!

7.  Containers with Annual Flowers

Everything looks better with some color, and flowers are the perfect way to add color to a yard.  Annual flowers are much cheaper than perennials and are a great addition to all yards.  Annuals are a great buy because they stay colorful all summer, providing you with months of enjoyment.

Plant some annuals in containers to set around your yard.  This is an easy way to brighten up any space!

Look for items you already have around the home that can be refurbished as a planter.  Some of the cutest containers are those that have been refurbished.

Always remember to use your patience and creativity when updating your yard on a budget!

It can take time to shop around and find the best deals for a yard, but when you are on a tight budget the extra time is worth the effort!  Shop garage sales, facebook marketplace, thrift stores and your garage to find items that can be turned into something beautiful.  You can upgrade your yard, without having to spend a lot of money!

Don’t forget to pin for future reference!

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Make your yard look new again with these cheap yard update ideas!

 

 

 

 

8 Foods You Should Freeze in an Ice Cube Tray

By: Sweet Frugal Life2 Comments

How to prevent waste in the kitchen with an ice cube tray.

Do you want to know one of my very favorite kitchen secrets?  The one secret that I use multiple times each month to help me save money and prevent food waste???  It has everything to do with an ice cube tray!  Instead of tossing excess foods, freeze those foods in an ice cube tray to extend the life and use at a future time.  There are many different foods you can freeze in an ice cube tray, truly the skies the limit!

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Why Freeze Food in Ice Cube Trays?

Freezing foods in ice cube trays is not only easy, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run!

Many recipes call for half a can of this or a few tablespoons of that Tossing this leftover food aside may not feel like a big deal at the time, but when it is continually done over and over again the amount of waste adds up, which in turn means more money spent.

Instead of throwing the extra leftovers in a can away (which also means throwing money you spent away), freeze them in an ice cube tray. 

An ice cube tray is the perfect spot for freezing leftovers because the small cubes make defrosting easier and faster than when it is frozen in a large chunk.  These frozen ice cube leftovers are perfect for those quick meals!

How to Freeze Food in Ice Cube Trays

Freezing leftovers in an ice cube tray is so easy to do!  I personally use these trays from Amazon.  You can buy a fancier version, but I’m all for cheap and simple!

  1. Simply fill each ice cube tray with the food you want to freeze.
  2. Stick the tray into the freezer for 1-2 hours until each cube is frozen through.
  3. Pop those cubes out of the tray and into a freezer bag (I use these!).
  4. Get as much air out of the bag as possible by slowly pushing it out and then quickly zipping it shut.
  5. You can now pull out the cubes and use as needed in recipes.

These cubes will stay good in the freezer for 3-6 months.

When you use your cubes in a recipe keep in mind that each cube in a standard ice cube tray is about 2 Tablespoons (1 ounce).  This makes 2 cubes equals 1/4 cup.

Freeze these foods in ice cube trays to prevent food waste and to save you time and money #grocerybudget #savingmoney #foodtips #savemoneyonfood #frugaltips #zerowaste

What Foods Freeze Well In Ice Cube Trays?

Here are a few suggestions of leftovers that will freeze great in ice cube trays!

1.  Stock

Do you have some leftover Chicken Stock?  Maybe from a homemade stock or from a box?  Either works!  Simply fill your ice cube tray up with the stock and freeze.  These stock cubes are great to use for soups or in sauces.

2.  Yogurt

Another great food to freeze in ice cube trays is yogurt.  If you find yogurt in your fridge getting close to the expiration date, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it for later use.  These frozen yogurt cubes are perfect for smoothies or oatmeal for added protein and creaminess!

3.  Cream

Cream will stay fresh in the fridge for about a month, but if you have cream that is getting close to expiring you could freeze it in an ice cube tray for later use.  The frozen cream is perfect to use when making butter, ice cream, sauces, soups, or whipped cream.

4.  Pumpkin

My Pumpkin Cookie recipe (which you can find in my cook book here) calls for about 3/4 can of pumpkin puree.  Instead of throwing away the extra 1/4 can of pumpkin I have started freezing it in cubes, and loving it! 

These pumpkin cubes are perfect to add to smoothies or protein drinks, but can also be used in all of your pumpkin baking!  If you have a baby at home you can even use it to feed your little one!

5.  Pesto

Another food that will freeze well is pesto!  Freezing pesto in an ice cube tray is a great way to save it for use in pasta recipes, eggs, sauces, or salad dressing.  The cubes are so easy to pop out of the freezer to use in a quick fix!

6.  Tomato Paste

Most of my recipes requiring tomato paste only need 1-2 Tablespoons, making the majority of the can go to waste. 

Instead of throwing it away, I have learned to freeze that excess in ice cube trays to use for later.  These freeze really well and are perfectly proportioned for my stew recipes!  Yay!

7.  Lemon Juice

You can even freeze fresh squeezed lemon juice, or bottled lemon juice!  The ice cube portions are perfect for drizzling over salads, using in baking, lemonade or for making buttermilk substitute.

8.  Herbs in Olive Oil

Don’t let fresh herbs go to waste.  Instead of tossing out fresh herbs, use an ice cube tray to preserve them.  All you have to do is place the herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano work best) in an ice cube tray, filling it about 3/4 full, and fill the rest of the cube with olive oil.  Freeze the tray following directions at the top of the article.  You can pull these cubes out of the freezer to use in soups and stews.

In Conclusion

The next time you have a small amount of food leftover and you don’t know what to do with it, consider freezing it in an ice cube tray!  This kitchen hack is so easy and a great way to save some pennies!

Related Articles:

How to Freeze Raspberries

How To Freeze Fresh Corn

Best Ways To Store Produce To Keep It Fresh Longer

 

I hope this helps you learn how to prevent food waste by freezing leftovers in an ice cube tray.

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