CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — For small space gardening use a large container with drainage holes and place it in a spot with full sun. Tomatoes are a key ingredient, and the Roma variety is a good choice. Use a trellis in a container to grow vertically and save space. The herbs and toppings of your choice are next. The flat leafed Italian parsley is the choice of chefs and will complement the tomato sauce. Sweet basil is the standard but consider trying spicy globe or Thai basil. Basil and flat Italian parsley are annuals so plant them along the edges. The Master Gardener Greenhouse is planting sweet and Thai basil as well as the Italian parsley.
Greek oregano has the boldest taste and, along with rosemary, is a perennial plant that can overwinter. Place these plants near the middle and back of the container. There may be room to plant an annual hot or sweet banana pepper. Add a stake to support the peppers as they grow. There will be a variety of hot peppers at the plant sale such as the ghost pepper (aka the Bhut Jolokia) for those that like their pizza to bite back.
Out in the garden choose a spot in full sun. For a fun design for the kids, outline a circular bed and mark off triangular âsliceâ areas. Use a cage in the center for your tomato plant and surround it with beds of yThe number Pi – 3.14 – is celebrated on 3/14, or March 14, by featuring pies. But beyond the fruit and berry pies, there is pizza pie. Get your kids or grandkids involved in growing the ingredients for a homemade pizza. Use a large container that can accommodate some of the plants or set aside a spot in your garden.
our other ingredients. You can plant several varieties of herbs as well as a few onions and maybe garlic chives. Stake both sweet and hot peppers to offer a variety of toppings to the family. You may want to leave a âskinnyâ slice of the pie empty as a walkway to the tomato plant.
Be sure to add sturdy plant markers. Discuss the growing needs of the different plants and have the kids help with both the care of the plants as well as harvesting and making the pizza. Plan for a back-to-school pizza party and celebrate the ââWhat I did over the Summerâ stories of growing a pizza.
The Master Garden Plant Sale on May 20 starts at 9 AM at 145 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. Free on-site parking. Vegetables, herbs, sun and shade plants, annual flowers, and more. Credit cards, checks or cash. Watch for updates with more tips and information
–Carol Kagan, Franklin County Master Gardener
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