lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper, cucumber, carrot, are usually always the basics, with the following as optionals...... olives(kalamata, green, or black sliced...... shredded cheddar or mozzarella, croutons, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, parmesano, pasta, sesame twists, .......... a garden salad is whatever you want it to be...... but no meats, because thats not a garden salad aymore....... also always good to not use only iceberg, always throw in some romaine, arugula, or baby spinach, or try a spring mix.