From garden to glass: Growing a Bloody Mary bar

Plant tomatoes and peppers for a summer of homegrown Bloody Marys

This is a photo of tomato seedlings in small containers being prepared for transplant. Tomatoes are the most rewarding and easiest vegetable to grow as transplants.
Lee Reich/AP
Mary, Mary, quite contrary how does your (Bloody Mary) garden grow? With silver bell (peppers) and cockershells and plump tomatoes grown all in a row. 

You get the idea.

With spring underway, now is the time to begin a vegetable garden in preparation for a summer of fresh produce. While you're at it, why not grow your own Bloody Mary station for a summer of boozy fun in the sun.

 shares a zesty homegrown Bloody Mary recipe that starts with seeds and soil, sans the vodka. 

"Most store-bought Bloody Mary mix is a little thick and sodium-heavy. Nothing preserved can rival the luminous color and taste of just squeezed heirloom tomatoes," writes Serious Eats author Anna Dunn, who had the same idea.

Growing A Bloody Mary Garden:

You can begin with a garden plot (directions below) or use a one-potted plan. (Note: These are meant to be salsa gardens, but tomato/tomahto!)


Area 1 – Cilantro and Onions: 4 cilantro, 22 red onions and 10 white onions.

Area 2 – Peppers: 1 Jalapeno pepper (with cage or trellis,) 1 Red Bell pepper (with cage or trellis)

Area 3 – Tomatoes or Tomatillos. Choose either tomatoes or tomatillos. You must have two tomatillo plants for cross-pollination. 2 large red tomatoes (such as Celebrity or Amelia, with cage or trellis.) 2 Tomatillos (with cage or trellis)

Garnish with dill, celery or homemade quick pickles, and enjoy.