4.14.2013

The Upstate was so beautiful yesterday. D and I decided to visit CountryBoys nursery - they always have such nice herb and veggie starts. We did not have a garden last year - our yard has become too shady for decent vegetables but when they cleared the lot next to us for the Habitat house, they took several trees down, so we decided to give it another go.

 

The herb garden that we installed several years ago was in sad, sad shape. The terra cotta pots were deteriorating. The lips and outside layers were falling off. Dozens of baby trees had started growing from all the acorns the squirrels had buried. And the Rosemary, which was the only herb to really thrive, was out of control - it was larger than some of our shrubbery.

We priced replacement pots at the place that usually has the cheapest terra cotta - Walmart - because terra cotta is an eco-friendly, sustainable material. However, their plastic pots were half the price and so we deferred to our wallets.

Before

After

 

This year we are growing: Rosemary (of course), Oregano, Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Tarragon, Peppermint and Lemongrass. We chose the herbs we use most in our recipes and then mint and lemongrass for tea. It was interesting deciding which herbs went into which color pot. D took the logical route - peppermint should be in a red pot because candy cane stripes are red - of course!

In our second large bed we have tomato varieties: Goliath, Parks Whopper and Carolina Gold along with cucumber plants on the right. Tomato cages and the Cuke Trellis will come later after they've grown a bit.  We also have some cherry tomatoes  in our hanging baskets: Sweet Million and Tumbling Tom (both red and yellow).

  

We planted zucchini in one of the smaller beds. D saved the second small bed for beans - we need to get some seeds.

Next up, the "Winged Friends" garden. It's definitely overgrown and it has a monster dandelion growing in it. But not today, I am finished! The absolute best thing about working in the garden beds is the shower afterwards! Definitely.