Oregano is thriving on the first day of Spring.
Yeah Spring! Today is the first day of spring, are you feeling it where you live or are you still seeing snow outside of your window? Here in Zone 7 we’ve had almost 3 weeks of warmish weather and my patio plants and herbs are loving it.
Curly Parsley slowly starts waking up.
Last year I was inspired by Martha Stewart’s Herb Garden at the New York Botanical Garden and decided to plant my patio garden in all herbs or edible plants. Not only was in fantastic to have all of those fresh herbs available for cooking but the color and texture of the foliage was beautiful and they smelled amazing.
Will my mint be ready for Juleps on May 7th?
One of my favorite plantings is a big rosemary bush that sits right beside my front door. I love brushing by it and taking in the fantastic smell of rosemary whenever I come and go.
Place a large rosemary bush by your front door, enjoy the smell each time you pass by.
Perhaps the best part of my herb patio garden is that most herbs are perennial meaning, they come back each year. This makes perennials and herbs a great planting option if you are limited in either time or garden budget. Sure, there are always a few plants that don’t make it through the winter. Some of my fringed lavender didn’t survive, I lost some of my thyme and I’ll need to replant my basil but the vast majority of herbs are back.
Lemon balm almost ready for summer's iced tea.
Another good and inexpensive perennial is the chrysanthemum or “mum.” Did you know that those mums you buy at the grocery store every fall can be replanted? I have three “grocery store” mums that have thrived in my garden for the last two years.
My replanted "grocery store" mums are thriving.
Do you have a perennial herb garden? What herbs do you grow every summer? What’s your favorite way to use them?
Want to start your own herb or perennial garden? Here are a few websites and resources for inspiration and information:
Websites & Blogs
- Mad About Herbs
- Culinary Herb Guide
- A Way to Garden
- P. Allen Smith Garden Home
- Martha Stewart’s Ultimate Kitchen Herb Garden
Books
- Your Backyard Herb Garden by Miranda Smith
- Making An Herb Garden, Beautiful Designs, Planings and Ornamentation by Catherine Mason
- Herb Garden Design by Ethne Clarke
- Designing the New Kitchen Garden, An American Potager Handbook by Jennifer R. Bartley
So happy to see your herbs coming back. There’s nothing that makes me for more like a real cook than being able to go out and pick fresh herbs for dinner.
I just bought something called Boxwood basil this weekend. So far it just looks like miniature basil. Should be interesting to see what happens with it.
Keep me posted on the Boxwood basil — I think basil is best when the leaves are small and tender, the big leaves don’t have as much flavor. Wonder if your “miniature” basil leaves will be tender & tastey?
Pingback: Spring Jinx! | Spoon And Chair