I have always loved herbs and spices. When I was little, I used to climb up the kitchen cabinets so I could open the door to our lazy susan, which held all of my parent’s jars of spices. I stuck my nose in and inhaled, appreciating the combined scent of garlic, oregano, rosemary, and all the other various outdated herbs. Maybe I was just a weird kid, but I feel like developing an interest in cooking and growing my own herbs later in life was inevitable.
Last year, my attempts to grow my own herbs failed miserably. I realized much too late that potted herbs require a very sunny perch and daily waterings. Mine grew gangly and later dried out in during the hot Oklahoma summer.
This year will be different. On Saturday, we visited Norman’s first farmer’s market of the year, and I gleefully picked out five varieties of herbs. I have high hopes for this year’s round of herbs, which I affectionately refer to as my babies. Like all mothers, I dream of long, healthy, happy lives for my herb children; unlike normal mothers, my dreams involve eating my babies.
For the baby rosemary pictured above, I envision roasted potatoes and fragrant, herb-encrusted bread.
Please, allow me to introduce you to my other herb babies below.
Basil: This delicate little guy has already been beat up by vicious winds, but I am shielding him from the elements at night. I see pesto, tomato sauce and pizza in his future.
Spearmint: Mojitos, caipirinhas and mint juleps. We’re going to have a grand time together this summer on the patio, aren’t we, Spearmint?
Dill: Pasta and bean salads inspired by my favorite lunch spot in Oklahoma City, the Mediterranean Deli. I’ll make dill pickles if I feel particularly industrious.
Another variety of mint, for good measure. Next weekend, I hope to add lavender, oregano and cilantro to our little family.
Have you had any success growing herbs in containers? Please share your tips; I really want my herbs to grow up healthy and strong!
11 Comments
Love your little garden! I grew some herbs and tomato plants on my balcony in containers last year. I am by no means a great gardener, but they definitely needed daily watering (even with moisture-retaining soil in there) and a tip I got a bit late was to prune your herbs so they divide and sprout more. I thought mint would take over, but I ended up taking too much too soon and it never came back. For basil, make sure it doesn’t go to flowers.. cut them off fast! Good luck! I can’t wait to start my own garden this year. :)
Wow! Thank you for all the great tips, Janet! I’ll be careful with my basil and mint for sure!
Oh my goodness these are great! I love the photos! I’ve never grown herbs before but I always make it a point to smell them when I go to a garden center. I’m flat broke right now or I’d go out and get some today.
Oh man, never had any luck with herb gardens. I’m excited to see how your babies grow! I hope they are extra tasty :)
xo
Jean
What a beautiful blog you have here Kate.
I went to my first farmers market recently and fell in love! Aren’t they great?? You have yourself quite the herb garden here and I wish you the best in harvesting the most delicious herbs! :) I’m currently doing basil, oregano, cilantro, parsley, and mint, but definitely need to start rosemary!
<3 kris&kel
http://www.krisandkel.com
I love having herbs to go and pick from when I’m cooking. These are gorgeous photos! I am not the best gardener (read this as an understatement) but the hardy herbs seem to do me well! I love mint and basil. I am also going to attempt to keep alive some lavender and chinese jasmine just for their beautiful smells.
love it. i just went nuts getting herbs and some veggies planted last weekend, too! :) i have been calling them my little “planties” instead of “babies” hahaha. the day i planted them it was 80 degrees and sunny, next day it snowed! good thing i have them indoors for the next month of so! i hope your babies have a good summer! love and miss you!
I have basil, thyme & oregano growing on my windowsill… the basil usually fares pretty well, but the thyme & oregano have been behaving very badly recently and are so temperamental! I am trying to bring them back to life but I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll probably have to go buy new ones to plant… good luck with your babies!
Great pics! I love growing herbs and veggies in my garden :) Good luck!
Herbs require well-drained soil, so when you plant them put a little gravel or some small rocks in the bottom of the pot and then fill with soil. This helps prevent root rot as well. :)
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