(BPT) - A barbecue garden makes it easy to grow your own grill-ready ingredients at home. By planting crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash and herbs, you can create fresh, homegrown meals that elevate outdoor entertaining all season long.
Whether you're hosting a casual cookout or planning a full backyard gathering, growing your own ingredients is one of the simplest ways to upgrade flavor, save money and make your barbecue menu more memorable.
What is a barbecue garden?
A barbecue garden is a purposeful way of planting — focused on ingredients that work well for grilling, fresh sides and summer recipes. Instead of choosing plants at random, you're building your garden around how you plan to cook and entertain.
Common barbecue garden crops include:
- Tomatoes
- Jalapeños and bell peppers
- Summer squash and zucchini
- Green beans
- Herbs like basil, parsley and cilantro
- Melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew
Why should you grow your own produce for a barbecue?
Growing your own produce gives you access to peak-ripe ingredients that are more flavorful than store-bought options. It also allows you to harvest exactly what you need, when you need it.
Additional benefits include:
- Better flavor: Vine-ripened tomatoes and freshly picked herbs taste noticeably richer
- Cost savings: A single seed packet can yield dozens of servings — for example, one packet of jalapeño or bean plants can produce the equivalent of hundreds of dollars' worth of fresh produce over a full growing season
- Convenience: Skip last-minute grocery runs before hosting
- Customization: Grow ingredients tailored to your favorite recipes
Backed by over 160 years of experience, Ferry-Morse is a U.S.-based home gardening brand known for its quality seeds and products that help gardeners successfully grow vegetables, herbs and flowers.
How to start a barbecue garden in 5 easy steps
1. Choose a sunny location with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day
2. Select your crops based on what you enjoy eating and grilling
3. Start seeds indoors or direct sow, depending on your climate and frost dates
4. Water and maintain consistently to support healthy growth
5. Harvest at peak ripeness for the best flavor and texture
Barbecue menu ideas using homegrown ingredients
When you're planting an edible garden, consider the kinds of foods you'll want to serve to friends and family at your barbecue. The recipes below offer simple, flavorful ways to bring homegrown ingredients to the table.
Appetizers
Garden Fresh Salad (Easy barbecue salad recipe)
A crisp, easy summer barbecue salad made with spinach, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes and parsley, topped with a tangy vinaigrette.
Garden Fresh Herb Dip (Easy herb dip recipe)
A simple herb dip recipe made with dill, cilantro, parsley and cucumber — perfect for pairing with fresh, homegrown vegetables.
Mains and sides
Garden Fresh Stuffed Peppers (Easy grilled vegetable recipe)
Sweet bell peppers are filled with savory ingredients and finished on the grill for a smoky, satisfying main dish.
Garden Fresh Grilled Summer Squash (Easy grilled vegetable side recipe)
Tender squash slices are enhanced by charred flavor, making this simple side dish perfect alongside grilled proteins.
Signature drink
Reed's Spicy Tomato Mezcal-Rita (Easy summer cocktail recipe)
A smoky, spicy cocktail that blends fresh tomato, basil and citrus for a bold, garden-inspired drink. This recipe was featured in Ferry-Morse's Great Garden Challenge series. Catch up on all episodes on Instagram and TikTok.
Dessert
Frozen Melon Granita (Easy summer dessert recipe)
A light, refreshing frozen dessert made with sweet, homegrown melon and a hint of citrus — perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
Barbecue Garden FAQs
What vegetables are best for grilling?
Peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes are among the most popular vegetables for grilling thanks to their flavor and texture.
When should you plant a barbecue garden?
Most barbecue-friendly crops should be planted in spring after the last frost, though some can be started indoors earlier.
Can you grow a barbecue garden in containers?
Yes, many crops like peppers, herbs and tomatoes grow well in containers, making them ideal for patios and small spaces.
Is it cheaper to grow your own vegetables?
Yes, gardening can significantly reduce grocery costs. A single packet of seeds can yield dozens of servings, and in some cases, the harvest can equal hundreds of dollars' worth of produce over a season, depending on growing conditions.
Get ready to grow your own barbecue garden
Fresh, homegrown ingredients can transform any summer gathering. By planting a barbecue garden with versatile, flavorful crops, you can create meals that are fresher, more personalized and more memorable.
To explore seed varieties and learn what to grow for your own barbecue garden, check out Ferry-Morse's barbecue garden seed collection.
