Like many people I am busy. I'd like to devote more time to gardening but gee, there's just too much fun stuff to do! I've decided I should write a book or something called a 15 minute guide to gardening. It would only take 15 minutes to read and then you could garden 15 minutes at a time and get results like a botanical garden.
I managed to clear the land. I took the mule team out of the garage and hooked them up to the plow. After a grueling nine hours later I had a prepared bed. It looks like this now.
I am very excited because tomorrow, bright and early, I am going to purchase my herbs, a few marigiolds to help keep away some pests and then put them in the ground. Wish me luck.
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Comments: 12
I have been seeing more and more varieties of lavender in he garden centers: English, French, Spanish, white, common, and others. They all grow well, but don't winter over. I grow several types of basil ( sweet, opal, Thai in particular). French tarragon is a must, as well as parsley, chives, and oregano - these are winter-hardy. I like scented geraniums and rosemary. Sometimes these survive if you bring them indoors in pots and place them in a sunny location.
Katrina I can't wait for my herbs to be ready. I didn't plant enough basil last year so only got some cuttings here and there and only one batch of pesto.
I, too, highly recommend lemon balm. Lemon thyme is very nice, too. Chives are a must of course. I've had a large pot of Greek oregano thriving for years now. I overwinter it in my unheated greenhouse (I'm in Zone 5).
And Kat mentioned borage--no need to hunt for plants, as it is easily grown from seed. A really fun plant. For anybody reading this who grows strawberries, borage is a great companion plant for strawberries (I think it helps deter pests but I can't remember off the top of my head). It can get rather tall, though, so you have to make sure it doesn't block out your plants--maybe put it at the edges of the strawberry bed.
Have fun!
Could you bring the mule team over and help me with the big one?
Mulch, mulch, mulch heavily during the winter and most other plants should survive, but remember, a lot of herbs are from milder climates and do best when brought indoors....since you have small spaces, I suggest planting the basil also in pots. Though most basils are considered semi-annuals, you can keep a basil plant going for at least 3 years - in my experience...if you keep it trimmed and don't let it bolt.