We’ve had a few warm, sunny days and I’m already thinking about my garden and what I want to plant this year.  I got even more excited when Maranda and I visited the Meijer Outdoor Garden Center last week for a segment on “Where You Live” – so many vegetable plants, herbs and flowers to choose from!  We were also pleased to see all the earth-friendly initiatives at Meijer that will make green gardening easier for all of us.  Here’s what we learned:

-Meijer features Fresh Flavors brand vegetable and herb plants that are 100% USDA certified organically grown.  In addition to the health benefits of the actual plants there is an entire green production process.  The plants are raised at a West Michigan greenhouse as well.

-Do you wonder what to do with all those empty trays and pots after planting?  The Meijer Outdoor Garden Center now has a tray and pot recycling program. They’ll collect all of the empty pots and trays that they use and also invite customers to return their trays and pots for their re-use or recycling program.  Meijer growers pick up the collection racks once they are filled and will either clean the pots for re-use or return them to East Jordan Plastics for grinding and re-use in the production of new trays and pots.  Cool!

-I sometimes worry about the environmental impact of the fertilizer we put on our lawn.  I was happy to learn that the Meijer Lawn and Garden center carries fertilizer products that are phosphorous free.  Phosphorous has become a problem in contaminating lakes, rivers and streams and is not a necessary ingredient in fertilizer mixes in soil conditions like we have in the upper Midwest.  Meijer stocks 9 Meijer brand and 7 Scott’s brand lawn fertilizer products, all phosphorous free.

-And finally, from a healthy living perspective gardening is great!  You are growing healthful foods while being active.  Plant some lovely basil this year (it will thrive in a pot on your deck), and make this delicious pesto:

Fresh Basil Pesto
Makes 1 cup

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
½ cup Meijer extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts or chopped walnuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  1. Combine the basil and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse a few minutes.  Add the garlic and pulse a few more times.
  2. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on.  Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula.  Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended.  Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serve with hot pasta; over baked potatoes; or spread over toasted baguette slices.

Let’s start planting!