We know that the pots at Tacoma Boys and H & L Produce are beautiful as stand alone decorations, or as homes for thousands of kinds of plants, and even a series of vegetable starts. But an unsung hero for the foodie and young family is easy access to herbs. So here is our quick guide to a do it yourself herb garden.

Ever been in the throes of dinner preparation, only to discover you were out of the herbs you needed to make your recipe complete? Imagine being able to plant your own, and grow them just about anywhere in and around your home. That’s what we’re talking about today: making a potted herb garden right at home.

Portability Potential

The healthy growth of herbs is heavily dependent on essential oils that develop through exposure to sunlight. So many of your favorite herbs can happily thrive on as much as six hours of sun exposure every day. Other herbs, considered partial sun, tend to grow well with 3-4 hours of sun each day.

But a terrific feature that comes with keeping your herbs in pots is portability. You can move them from windowsill to floor, or even room to room, as sunlight and seasonality demand. So when thinking of what you most want to plant, we’ve developed a quick graphic to help you know which popular herbs need certain amounts of sunlight. If you have questions on the best potting containers, we’ve got your covered on our blog page. But for the sake of simplicity, you need something that drains well, and pot size does matter. So if you’re planting several, pick a bigger pot.

You may also have questions about herbs that we haven’t noted here, and you are welcome to call us at any of our locations to get your potting questions answered.

Filling And Feeding

In our blog titled Potting that Lasts, we navigate the best practices and purchases for soil and fertilizer, and those rules still apply to your herb garden. While the growth for many herbs is not as robust as flowering plants, and most plants in general, healthy herbs are always eating. So nutrient-rich potting soil and timely fertilizing are incredibly important. A couple additional tips: Do not over-fertilize herbs.The plant will grow, but you will harm the production of those necessary essential oils. Additionally, applying water and fertilizer directly to both root and leaf is beneficial to the herb when done properly. So feel free to spray the leaf when you are watering the soil.

Mixing It Up

Another important consideration to planting your herbs is knowing which ones are acceptable to mix. Many of the culinary herbs we think of are Mediterranean in origin, so they require full sun, warm climate, and well-draining soil. So you wouldn’t want to mix, say, basil and rosemary with more fragile herbs like mint or chives, because the latter grow best in a more moist soil. Just keep in mind the ideal conditions for each herb, and you will avoid any mixing mishaps.

DIY Must Haves

Let’s get down to the essential herbs for potting and gardening, and why we think these few are must-haves for your do it yourself potted herb garden:

1. Basil – this durable herb is relatively low maintenance, and can be used in numerous cooking applications and pairs well with anything tomato-based, food or drink. Additionally, basil helps repel mosquitos!
2. Thyme – could be potted with basil if you so choose, and works wonderfully in soups, with a host of meats, and is pleasantly aromatic. For an added aromatic punch to go with basil, find some lemon thyme to send those floral notes across the room.
3. Sage – a more woodsy aroma, sage is used in numerous vegetarian dishes, and is a staple herb for the fall season.
4. Dill – no herb pairs better with salmon than this herb. It has a vibrant color, a unique pickle-like flavor, and adds an unexpected note to many dishes.

These are just a few of our favorites, but a case can be made for the lovely winter aroma of rosemary, the clean scent of mint, and the insect repelling power of both lemongrass (where the citronella oil is commonly found) and lavender. And if you’re pinched for time today, many of these herbs and a whole host of other spices are available in our Tacoma Boys dry spices.

There are so many wonderful herbs to be enjoyed. Whether you’re looking to naturally fragrance your home or take your foodie credibility to the next level, planting an herb garden will get you there. So come by your local Tacoma Boys and H & L Produce to see how we marry our pots and herbs.

Aside from their beauty, there are so many ways to use our ceramic pots in your home and garden. Here are a handful of the reasons that we love potting!

The multipurpose versatility of pots is always on display at your local Tacoma Boys Market and H&L Produce. While we are proud of the selection of pots that we offer, we know that the many uses of pots is what gives them so many great selling features.

Potting It All

Perhaps the most obvious reason we have pots throughout Tacoma Boys is their versatility. Pots have endless uses as stand alone art, in-home decor, stylized function for your garden, water features around your home, and so many more uses. Here are a few that we are especially excited about.

Veggie Starts

What’s better than growing a garden? Growing a nice garden that starts with beautiful pots. And all that these starts really need from their host pot is room to grow and proper drainage. That will be a theme to all of these potting options. At least a single hole at the bottom of any pot is needed for planting of any kind. And where produce is concerned, proper moisture, fertilizer, and appropriate sun and shade will make for a tremendous garden.

Hanging Basket Hosts

This might qualify as more of a gardening hack, but we like it for the family that wants the curb appeal of beautiful landscaping, but struggles to find the time to garden appropriately. So for the gardener in a hurry, finding a deeper pot that you can place a mature hanging basket inside of, plastic pot and all, is a brilliant way to get instant gardening gratification. The plastic pot should drain, and the residual water will drain out of the bottom of the ceramic pot. If you have more questions, watch the video we’ve attached here, from Paul Heist, the owner of Tacoma Boys.

 

Seed Planting – Flowers & Flowering Plants

At Tacoma Boys, we are certainly partial to plants. And for the adventurous gardener that wants to grow their own, pots are fantastic hosts for annuals and perennials of all kinds. We particularly like Nemesia and Gerbera daisies, but there are so many more kinds of flowers to choose from. And if you find yourself with some care questions, give us a call or check out our previous article on caring for hanging baskets.

Herb Gardening

One of the best uses for pots, and a good plan no matter where you live, is herb gardening. Whether you’re living in an apartment with one window near the sink or in a house with a yard, herb gardening is a crossover of beauty and function. If you consider yourself a foodie or an aspiring chef, fresh herbs will certainly take your home meals to the next level and offer beneifts well beyond their enticing aromas and vibrant colors.

While there are a lot of herbs to choose from, the fresh herb staples that you might want to begin growing are oregano, mint, thyme, basil, and rosemary.

Bugging Out

Did you know that there are a host of plants, herbs, and flowers that keep pests at bay? If you’re looking to ward off mosquitos, add basil to your herb garden, or consider a pot full of lemon balm. You could also bring in beautiful flowers like marigolds and lavender, as well as greenery like catnip and citronella to keep mosquitoes away from your home and outdoor seating areas. Many other herbs work to repel unwanted insects and bugs, like ants, flies, and spiders.

Pot Potential

You can use pots to make art, ward off invading critters, start you garden, or liven up your landscaping. And for aggressively growing plants, pots are a smart way to keep them contained, avoiding a yard takeover.

For tips on gardening and planting of all kinds, always check us out in our blog section of our Tacoma Boys website.

Whenever you visit one of our stores, well before you walk into our buildings, you are introduced to our pots that line our entrances and storefronts. But why? Why does Tacoma Boys have so many pots?

They are beautiful alone or featured in your home. They offer a unique pop of color to your yard, and they make gardening seem less hard. There are so many reasons for us to love all that they can do, which is why we offer so many pots to you.

No matter which one of our stores you visit, you are always greeted by three things: our people, our plants, and our pots. We are proud of our team, and we source only the best plants for our community to choose from, and our show-stopping pots are just as exciting to our store and the possibilities for your home gardening and decor. So why do we have so many pots? Let’s tell you all about it!

Color Kindness

Perhaps the most striking thing to see when you come to Tacoma Boys is the palette of colors that surrounds each of our stores. And that vibrance is most easily noticed in the wide range of colorful pots that we showcase every day. We carry both glazed and unglazed ceramic, and there are benefits to either, beyond what looks best to you. But why so any colors? Because Washington State is beautiful in every season, our community is wonderfully diverse, and we want to make sure everyone has the best colors to choose from, all year long, no matter what they need one of our pots for! So all of our colors are for you, and we wouldn’t change a thing.

One Size Does Not Fit All

And while it’s important to meet the aesthetic expectations of our customers, we also need to combine beauty with function. So we offer nearly every shape and size of ceramic pot imaginable. If you’re planting seeds, starts, and bulbs, you may want to start with something about a foot wide at the top, but not too deep. As you pot up though, you may want to look into wider and certainly deeper pots. If you’re planting smaller trees or plants for you home, perhaps you want a more narrow pot with a striking height. But you may also be looking to place a flowering plant up just slightly off of your outdoor garden floor, or as a statement to your front yard landscaping. And no matter what you need, we have the style and size pot that is just right for you and your planting goals.

Always In Shape

So you’ve found the colors that express your outdoor statements or match your indoor decor, and you have all the heights, widths, and depths that match your design eye. What would help transform that look you are going for better than texture and shape? A smooth, rectangular container to hold a fun mix of seasonal flowers. A large, porous, cylindrical vase-styled pot to hold your spring flowers or plants. A few wide, multi-colored square pieces for the shrubs that line your driveway. A series of small pots to host your indoor herb garden, succulents, and veggies starts.

Every shape. Every style. Every color we could find. And available daily at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. We would love to see you soon, and help you prepare for your Spring and Summer potting.

Ready to Grow Up With You

And when you need that one, perfect pot, we have given you all that you need to know about our selection of pots at Tacoma Boys. But we don’t just pride ourselves on our inventory. We also pride ourselves on being growers, and purveyors of expertly grown produce, plants, and seeds to grow your own. And when it comes to potting, growth happens. For your flowering plants and grown basket purchases, a single size will likely suffice. And when you are planting seeds for veggie starts and flowers, you can certainly measure out seeds per square inch to fit the size pot you want or determine what size you need, based on the seeds you have. But indoor plants, trees, and those produce items that grow to become root bound, that’s where potting up comes in. Simply put, the more some plants grow, the bigger the container they will require. So when your houseplants or trees begin to stagnate, or water seems to be rushing through you plant too quickly, consider upsizing your pot. And hopefully, you’ve taken advantage of the terrific deal on pots we have weekly, and you’ve already prepared for your potting expansion. If not, swing by and find a beautiful pot that is just the right size, shape, and color for you home!

As Mother’s Day approaches, take the celebrated tradition of gifting flowers up a notch by buying Mom a gift that will last and be a talking point for months! Hanging baskets are the way to go for the Mom in your life this year.

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There is a lot more to picking flowers than finding the best deal. Here are a few quick tips for picking the right flowers and plants when you’re out shopping.

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Finding the right partnerships in business is a serious task. So here are a few things that we look for when partnering with growers and manufacturers across the country, that helped us work so well with DeGoede Brothers.

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Walking through the produce section of a specialty grocer like Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce is an eye opening experience for some. Beyond organic bananas and tomatoes, there is an amazing assortment of fruits and veggies that many people have never heard of! Shallots are one of theses great everyday food items that, for some reason, have remained under the radar for many Americans.

Ever feel a little lost around a little known fruit or vegetable? Fear not, we are here to help! If you are ever unsure of how to prepare a food item, or what it may be for, make sure to ask one of our skilled staff. We love to help our customers.

Shallots are like small, delicious, less pungent, onions. They won’t make you cry – and as you may have guessed are a great alternative to onions in any number of dishes. Once you start using them you may find yourself purchasing them on each trip to your specialty market. Check out our Weekly Specials!

Hints of Garlic and Onion.

Shallots are part of the Allium family of vegetables, which include onions, leeks and garlic. They have a more delicate flavor than onions with a hint of garlic. They even look a bit like large garlic cloves when prepared, but are much easier to eat whole.

Shallots Melt Into Your Meals

Unlike onions, which maintain their shape and texture when cooked, shallots are quicker to break down when cooked. This is a good thing. It means they become part of the meal instead of sitting separate in the mix. The creamy texture of the shallot, when cooked, is pleasant on the palate. This sensation, matched with their  delicate, yet rich, flavor make the shallot an excellent ingredient.

A Great Substitute

Shallots are a great substitute for onions in any number of dishes. Make sure to try them out in your favorite meals and let us know how it goes!

The Easiest of Recipes

Looking for an easy way to prepare your shallots? It’s as simple as rinsing them, with the skins on. Hand place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Heat your oven to 425 degrees. Once the oven is ready, insert the tray of shallots into the oven and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the skins are golden brown and the shallots are tender when probed with a fork or knife. Remove and enjoy!

These roasted beauties are ready to be enjoyed on their own or with any number of dishes. Remember they have a milder flavor than onions or garlic, so you are more likely to eat them on their own.

Olive Oil & Salt

Want to get a little more complicated? Peel the shallots, then toss them in olive oil with a generous amount of salt. Roast these at 425 degrees until tender. If you like you can slice the shallots in half, leaving their inner beauty exposed. This also allows for a shorter cooking time.

Shallots Across The World

It is believed that shallots first came to Europe from the middle east, during the 12^th century. Today there are over 10 varieties available in France. In Indonesia, shallots are often pickled and served with meals. Shallots are well loved in Iran where they are often crushed into yogurt or grilled on kebabs.

Local Specialty Markets Offer Shallots

At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce we are proud to offer our community the freshest and best ingredients for their day to day lives, including shallots! If you’ve never been into one of our South Sound locations, make sure to stop in soon! We have a wide selection of beers and wines, chocolates, canned foods, meats and cheeses and more! Look around our website and check out our social media on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Does eating healthy sound like it’s too expensive for you? Believe it or not, there’s a way you can eat healthy food for less, even for under $1. Here are 3 staple foods that will have you eating healthy on a budget in no time.

Most of us have the best intentions when it comes to our food. We always want the most affordable food that are as good for our bodies as they are our wallets. However, there’s a common misconception that eating healthy on a budget is nearly impossible. In fact, it’s one of the top reasons why many of us eye that fast food cheeseburger over a healthy plate of greens.

But eating well doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. In fact, even if you only have a few dollars you can get the ingredients to make a hearty, healthy, home-cooked meal.

Here are three examples of healthy food you can get for $1 or less.

1. Oats

When it comes to eating a healthy breakfast, you have plenty of options. But to get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to pick up a container of oats.

While cooked oats may not be everyone’s image of an ideal breakfast, there’s no more cost-effective way to start your day. The average serving of oats, which is around 1/3 of a cup, will cost you less than a dollar. Tacoma Boys sells containers of oats at a very affordable price, so you should be able to get a few pounds of oats for less than a couple of dollars in total. That means you’ll have healthy breakfasts for days!

But the cost isn’t the only reason to incorporate oats into your diet. Each serving contains several grams of soluble fiber to aid digestion and rid your body of bad cholesterol. Plus, you can do a lot of different things with oats. Remember your favorite oatmeal from when you were a kid? Recreate a healthy adult version by adding fresh berries or cinnamon to your cooked oats. Some people even enjoy making their own granola or no-bake energy bites with peanut butter. The options are endless, it just takes a little creativity.

2. Beans

Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you… save!

Beans are a fantastic option for eating healthy on a budget. They’re an affordable meal that won’t leave you hungry a few hours later. Cooking up a cup or two of beans will help you incorporate more fiber into your diet, as well as some extra protein. For those on a meatless or plant-based diet, beans are key for getting vital nutrients.

There are tons of options to choose from:

• Black beans
• Pinto beans
• Red beans
• Black-eyed peas
• And more!

You can pick up a pound of your favorite legume for about $1 no matter where you shop, making it one of the affordable foods out there. If you have the extra cash, we recommend buying a larger bag, as you’ll ultimately save more that way.

Plus, they’re one of the most versatile foods out there.

3. Eggs

Speaking of versatility, eggs are a common component in thousands of the world’s most beloved dishes. From omelets to frittatas to straight-up scrambled, there are dozens of ways to use a dozen eggs.

In terms of health benefits, eggs contain protein as well as vitamins D and B. Many people look to egg whites as the more nutritious portion of the egg, but there are benefits to both the white and the yolk. Egg whites are fat free, carb free, high in protein and low in calories. However, egg yolks contain vitamins A, E and K along with healthy fats the body needs. Also, compared to the whites, egg yolks are more rich in folate and vitamin B12.

Most stores offer organic eggs for a very low cost per egg, so stock up! You can also look to your community for fresh eggs. Here in the Pacific Northwest, backyard chickens have been gaining popularity in urban neighborhoods. It’s very likely you have a neighbor with chickens who gets fresh eggs every day. If the chickens are productive, they will often have a surplus and sell the eggs locally for great price. Check out your community message boards online to see if you can score some fresh eggs.

You don’t have to give up on taste when eating healthy low-cost foods.

These three foods for eating healthy on a budget will keep your stomach and wallet full, so don’t let a tight budget stop you from eating right. Oats, beans and eggs are staple foods that are best when complimented by fresh fruits and veggies. Use the money you save to stock up on quality organic produce and meats for a well-rounded, budget friendly diet.

At Tacoma Boys, we pride ourselves on offering customers the healthiest foods at the fairest prices. So, stop into one of our three locations today to see just how affordable eating well can be.

When you search for a “butcher near Tacoma,” do you consider the different services they may offer, and ways they cut and season the meat? Here are 5 things a butcher can do to improve your meat market experience.

A recent USDA study found that pre-packaged meat (the stuff on Styrofoam, wrapped in plastic) had over 211 different drug residues. Why? Because those meats are sourced from “factory farms”.

So, if you’re not interested in eating meat with residual antibiotics and hormones, then it’s time to visit your local  butcher!

Sourcing meat from a local butcher near Tacoma is an easy and sustainable way to incorporate organic meats into your meals.

Read on for the 5 things you didn’t know you could ask your Tacoma butcher.

1. They Cut and Tenderize for You

Some cuts or dishes require special equipment (like a bone saw). If you don’t have one of those in the depths of your pantry, there’s no need to fret.

Just ask your butcher to cut or tenderize the meat for you.

They’ve got the necessary equipment and space. Plus, it’ll save you a load of prep time once you get home.

2. They Season Your Meat for You

Who better to season the meat than a person who works with meat for a living?

At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce we have our own brand of rubs and sauces that perfectly pair with the cut you’re looking for. Most butchers have their favorites for beef, pork and chicken.

All you have to do is ask, and prior to the packaging, the butcher can season the meat to perfection.

Now that the meat is cut and seasoned, it just leaves the cooking to you! All you have to do is gather your ingredients and recipe to get dinner going.

3. Your Butcher Near Tacoma Can Special Order

Are you looking for something a little out of the norm? Maybe a goose or a turducken (that would be a chicken inside a duck, inside a turkey)?

Ask the butcher! They can work miracles behind the meat counter.

They may not have what you want on hand, but if you give them a few days’ notice, they can most likely order it for you!

If you’re short on time, you can always give one of our stores a call and the meat department will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

4. They can Teach You a Thing or Two

Some people avoid the butcher counter because they don’t know what kind of meat to ask for or what to do with it once they get it home. If that sounds like you, it’s okay! Just tell the butcher.

It’s actually a lot of fun for us if you have no idea what you’re looking for. It’s like giving an artist a blank canvas and letting them create a masterpiece. The butcher might ask you some questions like:

• Which cuisines you typically enjoy?
• What type of dish you’re looking to cook?
• What’s your skill level?

The butcher can then  offer suggestions as and instructions on the best way to prepare the cut.

The average American consumes about 200 lbs. of meat each year. So, you might as well learn how to shop for it, and cook it well!

5. Your Butcher Can Help You be Environmentally Friendly

Last but not least, a butcher near Tacoma can help you source your meat sustainably. They know that purchasing an entire animal from a local and reputable farmer is the best way to guarantee that the meat is a high quality and doesn’t get wasted.

If you don’t live with 12 other people, then buying a whole cow or pig is unrealistic. One option is to find a group of friends who are interested and having a butcher divide, package, and prepare the animal into equal parts for the whole group.

You’ll have fresh, frozen, meat for an entire year!

Now Try it Out!

At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, we are proud to be an amazing option when looking for a Butcher near Tacoma. Not only do we offer an amazing meat section, but thousands of labels of beer and wine, fresh produce, and amazing specialty food items. Not to mention our ceramic pottery, floral and planting options.

Come and visit one of our expertly trained butchers, and embrace what Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce are proud to offer the greater Tacoma area. You’ll never find our meats under plastic or on Styrofoam plates. Our all-natural deli case meats are fresh, organic and hand wrapped, just like in the old days.

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