Growing your own vegetables can be a fun and rewarding experience.
As a gardener, there is nothing as gratifying as harvesting a large crop of fresh veggies.
Many times however, your garden produces more vegetables that your family can possibly use.
After putting all of that hard work into your garden the last thing you want is have your veggies go to waste.
So what are your options? Share Many backyard gardeners innately know to share their harvest with family, friends, and neighbors.
This is a great way to spread the excitement of vegetable gardening with people we see every day.
Co-workers are also naturally included in our sharing circle.
This is a great way to connect with people and share our gardening experience firsthand.
Store Storing and preserving are also great ways to use the vegetables from your garden.
Freezing both cooked and uncooked veggies will ensure you can enjoy them year round.
Canning and pickling are also great ways to extend the life of your produce.
There are many recipes that go way beyond pickled cucumbers and canned fruit.
Trade You may consider bartering with other farmers.
This is a great option if say, you are up to your ears with squash but didn't plant any beans.
There are various websites dedicated to connecting people who would like to barter with their produce or other goods.
You can even set up your own agreement with other gardeners you know.
If you plan it out, each of you could plant a few different things and share later.
Donate Donating to those in need is yet another option.
Contact your local shelter, food kitchen, or community center to get started.
It is recommended that you call ahead to verify what they accept and when.
They may even offer a pickup service if your donation is large enough.
Sell If you'd like to make back some of your seed and fertilizer money consider selling your extra harvest.
Look for local farmer's markets and get set up with your own booth.
Often the cost to sell is quite low or even free.
Just be sure you find out about any requirements and regulations beforehand.
With these ideas your vegetable gardening efforts can reward you in veggies, friends, and even money.
If your garden has provided you with more veggies than you need you must be doing something right.
Green thumbs up to you.