COOPERATIVE KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
FACT SHEET
Information about the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program 2020
Making a Salsa Garden
Dr. Leigh Whittinghill, Assistant Professor of Urban Agriculture
If you aren’t sure where to start when planning a home vegetable garden, a theme can make things easier. There are many suggestions for themed gardens, from specific dishes like salsa, to gardens from literature or art, and sensory or alphabet gardens.
Salsa Gardens contain plants typically used in making salsa this includes:
TOMATOES: Roma or Paste tomatoes are recommended; Pony Express, Plum Crimson, and Plum Regal grow well in Kentucky. San Marzono tomatoes are another recommended variety that grows well in Kentucky. For more information, see Tomatoes (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0014).
PEPPERS: A number of varieties of Jalapeno, Anaheim, and habaneros grow well in Kentucky. If planting peppers with high Scoville units, like habaneros, be sure to wear gloves when handling. Bell peppers can provide some color to salsa. For more information, see Peppers (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0017).
ONIONS: Bulb onions are best planted much earlier than then tomatoes and peppers. Green onions or scallions can be used and take less time to reach maturity, so you can get multiple harvest. Additional fact sheets on Onions (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0013) and Green Onions (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0016) are available.
GARLIC: Garlic should be planted the fall before you plan to harvest and take all season to grow. It usually won't be ready with the tomatoes and peppers, which is probably when you are going to make your salsa. For more information, see Garlic (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0015).
CILANTRO: Cilantro is an annual herb that tends to bolt in the heat of summer, but grows well in containers and indoors. Additional fact sheets on Growing Herbs in Containers (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0004) and Harvesting and Using Herbs (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0005) are available.
Growing Herbs in Containers (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0004) and Harvesting and Using Herbs (KYSU-CEP-FAC-0005) are available.
Other herbs can include basil, oregano, parsley and mint.