Summer Garden Side Dish & Raised Bed Garden Update

This Summer Garden Side Dish/Salad is another super simple way to use up some of the veggies the garden gifts us. Just mix and match whatever is in season, whether plentiful, or you just have a few... I had some green beans, a cucumber, a few cherry tomatoes, chives, and fresh parsley. Dice and mix with your desired amount of Italian salad dressing. I have to say, this was amazing with a grilled chicken breast for dinner:@) 

Pics from July 1st: Two pots of green beans in the background, one heavily producing and coming to the end, and I just planted seeds in the second pot. The little Dollar Tree bird bath has been very popular this year:@) Mostly wasps and brown finches so far, but I'm glad I picked it up. 

By the time July gets here the garden has gotten pretty large and overgrown... The tomatoes have reached the top of the stakes and now I'm beginning to pinch them back and cut branches to allow sunlight and airflow. Cucumbers are doing ok and I have made a batch of my favorite Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles. If you only try one pickle recipe from Pig In Mud folks, this is the one I recommend:@) You can use the brine for Jalapeno Pickles too...

Planter has a small yellow squash plant I rescued from the garden center, I'm hoping it catches up soon. Pepper plants didn't get very tall (yet), but they are happy... 

Mini sweet multi colored peppers:

And my jalapenos:@)

Zinnias add more color every day:

And I'll leave you with the long view:

Summer Garden Side Salad

1. Whatever garden vegetables and herbs you have on-hand, diced bite size. If using string beans, toss into boiling water for about 2 minutes. Immediately run under cold water to stop the cooking process, dry and add to the rest of the veggies.
2. Mix with liberal amount of your favorite Italian Salad Dressing.
3. A few grinds of fresh black pepper would be nice...
4. Chill and serve.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)