When most people see a bundle of carrots, a stack of tomatoes and a head of spring lettuce, they probably don’t have an overwhelming compulsion to arrange them into a centerpiece, as I do. But when you really look at this harvest of colors, textures and shapes, they are perfect pieces of art just screaming to be showcased.

I’ve decorated with fresh flowers for years. And I’ve been a long-time fan of using fresh and faux fruit. But I’m a newcomer to the world of decorating with vegetables.

Whether you want to create an interesting display for your kitchen or an unusual centerpiece for your next barbecue, give veggies a try.

To style sensational-looking veggie arrangements, all you need is an assortment of containers. Then visit the farmers market to pick up awesome produce. Look for a mix of shapes – from those with long stalks, such as celery and carrots, to those that are round and plump, such as tomatoes and eggplants.

We found a simple painted wooden tray to serve as the base of our display. Then we picked a tall, thin apothecary jar to hold baby carrots with greens.

First we added small, ripe tomatoes to serve as a base. Next, we mixed in jalapeno peppers to add contrast in color and shape. We finished off by tucking in the carrots, letting the greens flow down the side of the jar.

For our second container, we decided on a monochromatic color scheme. Because the veggies we wanted to feature were short and mounded, we opted for a shallow, footed bowl.

First to go in is a bunch of spring lettuce. Next, we added a head of broccoli. The kale lends more dark, rich color and texture.

I love the petite leaves of radish greens, which bring a soft playfulness.

For a bit of fun, we finished by tucking in green onions, bulb and root side out, because they look like curious little flowers.

For our final container, we picked a short, footed crystal bowl to hold a colorful grouping of rotund veggies.

We started with a stalk of fennel to give the arrangement some height and movement. Next, we tucked in a few yellow squash for color. An eggplant is the perfect finish for this grouping.