A few weeks ago I planted herbs in “window boxes” on our back deck railing. Three mornings later the cilantro had NO leaves, not one, but the parsley next to it was untouched. Another day and the parsley was stripped clean, only stems left. Squirrels or rats, I reckon. But the fennel, thyme, rosemary and lavender are loving life.
On the side deck I have raised boxes, but the deck is in full shade, so instead of having my herbs there, I have a box of mint and one of oregano and sage. I planted everything there, but nothing else made it. Ah, the vagaries of “farming.”
I have grown chives and Italian flat leaf parsley from seeds and they are prolific and delicious. I keep cutting them and they grow back. They grow year round in my yard. They add a fresh touch to soup, salads, dips, etc.
I agree with you about what herbs are worth growing. Basil and parsley - absolutely. Cilantro in the winter months down south (though I rarely issue it). Mint is another I like to have around though I never know whether to buy spearmint or peppermint. This year I went with peppermint. I usually have one dill plant in the ground, mostly in the spring for swallowtails. I love having thyme but it took over an elevated planter I have so now I’m a bit leery. But I’ll be buying another and putting it in its own pot. Chives - meh, I’m with you. You need a lot but unless you cut it a lot it’ll look messy more than anything.
I love thinking about growing things as absolutely essential. They’re not herbs but a couple other edible plants I always have are nasturtiums, calendula, and bachelor buttons. Bachelor buttons and calendula petals can be dried and I have them in jars to sprinkle on things in winter when things feel dreary!
Herbs are always so worth having, and are so amenable to any size garden because most of them will grow quite happily in pots.
I’ll add to the list Lovage, which is a perennial herb that looks and tastes quite a bit like celery and can be used as a substitute in soups, etc. Mine doesn’t seem bothered by pests of any kind, but does like a little shade in our hot, humid summers.
Great tips! I've had good luck during the winter with doing herbs in my Aerogarden. I was initially weirded out by the synthetic-feeling nature of it, but having fresh herbs in the winter made it worth it.
I would love to be able to grow any herbs! I also live in a condo but I only have windows on one side and sadly, they face north. Zero direct sunlight.
When I lived in Jamaica I had mint growing wild in my yard. It literally too over which was totally fine by me because I regularly picked it and made jugs of iced mint tea almost every day. So refreshing for the hot climate!
I always show up late but I enjoy every one of your cheerful messages. I have not had much luck with larger gardens, so I live happily with what will grow in places and try to let them have their best lives as it is. I have had wonderful luck with herbs over the years though, but different experiences than your own, it seems.
My current roster is
Chives - after no success growing them from seed, a neighbor gave me a chunk of her well-established plant, and I now have several hearty plants of my own around my yard. I grew up with gardener grandparents who put fresh chopped chives in/on everything, and I do the same now. At the end of the season, I harvest them all and dry them for use over winter.
Oregano - I planted oregano several years ago in a large patio pot and it has reliably returned after winter for many years now. Fresh oregano is a pretty plant and heavenly on pizza and in Italian dishes. But I mostly grow it for drying. I have two peanut butter jars full on my shelf. Search for Orsara recipes - harvesting oregano and Pasquale will show you how to do it.
Basil - has been feast or famine for me. I grow it each spring into a huge plant and then our hot humid summer kills it in one day. So I enjoy it when I have it and rely on farmers' markets when I don't.
Cilantro - I planted cilantro once but learned it was one and done after cutting so it's not worth my while. I can get a bunch in the supermarket or farmers' market when I really need the fresh.
My remaining herb plants - rosemary, thyme, tarragon, parsley - like the others, survived the winter and are greening up again this year. Yay! They're back! Life is just better when your food is as fresh as it can be, and more so when you have a part in producing it.
As always, I love your e-letter chats and art lessons! Thanks so much!
A few weeks ago I planted herbs in “window boxes” on our back deck railing. Three mornings later the cilantro had NO leaves, not one, but the parsley next to it was untouched. Another day and the parsley was stripped clean, only stems left. Squirrels or rats, I reckon. But the fennel, thyme, rosemary and lavender are loving life.
On the side deck I have raised boxes, but the deck is in full shade, so instead of having my herbs there, I have a box of mint and one of oregano and sage. I planted everything there, but nothing else made it. Ah, the vagaries of “farming.”
On page 104 of the March 2024 issue of Bon Appetit is a short article called Fino Martini with a recipe. You might enjoy reading it.
I have grown chives and Italian flat leaf parsley from seeds and they are prolific and delicious. I keep cutting them and they grow back. They grow year round in my yard. They add a fresh touch to soup, salads, dips, etc.
I've killed a basil plant or two because I get a little overeager and water a tad too much, speaking of that I should run to TJ's and grab some!
I agree with you about what herbs are worth growing. Basil and parsley - absolutely. Cilantro in the winter months down south (though I rarely issue it). Mint is another I like to have around though I never know whether to buy spearmint or peppermint. This year I went with peppermint. I usually have one dill plant in the ground, mostly in the spring for swallowtails. I love having thyme but it took over an elevated planter I have so now I’m a bit leery. But I’ll be buying another and putting it in its own pot. Chives - meh, I’m with you. You need a lot but unless you cut it a lot it’ll look messy more than anything.
I love having my own herbs in the garden, they look lovely. I really like your drawing!! I’ll check out the book. Thanks
I love thinking about growing things as absolutely essential. They’re not herbs but a couple other edible plants I always have are nasturtiums, calendula, and bachelor buttons. Bachelor buttons and calendula petals can be dried and I have them in jars to sprinkle on things in winter when things feel dreary!
Herbs are always so worth having, and are so amenable to any size garden because most of them will grow quite happily in pots.
I’ll add to the list Lovage, which is a perennial herb that looks and tastes quite a bit like celery and can be used as a substitute in soups, etc. Mine doesn’t seem bothered by pests of any kind, but does like a little shade in our hot, humid summers.
Great tips! I've had good luck during the winter with doing herbs in my Aerogarden. I was initially weirded out by the synthetic-feeling nature of it, but having fresh herbs in the winter made it worth it.
I would love to be able to grow any herbs! I also live in a condo but I only have windows on one side and sadly, they face north. Zero direct sunlight.
When I lived in Jamaica I had mint growing wild in my yard. It literally too over which was totally fine by me because I regularly picked it and made jugs of iced mint tea almost every day. So refreshing for the hot climate!
I always show up late but I enjoy every one of your cheerful messages. I have not had much luck with larger gardens, so I live happily with what will grow in places and try to let them have their best lives as it is. I have had wonderful luck with herbs over the years though, but different experiences than your own, it seems.
My current roster is
Chives - after no success growing them from seed, a neighbor gave me a chunk of her well-established plant, and I now have several hearty plants of my own around my yard. I grew up with gardener grandparents who put fresh chopped chives in/on everything, and I do the same now. At the end of the season, I harvest them all and dry them for use over winter.
Oregano - I planted oregano several years ago in a large patio pot and it has reliably returned after winter for many years now. Fresh oregano is a pretty plant and heavenly on pizza and in Italian dishes. But I mostly grow it for drying. I have two peanut butter jars full on my shelf. Search for Orsara recipes - harvesting oregano and Pasquale will show you how to do it.
Basil - has been feast or famine for me. I grow it each spring into a huge plant and then our hot humid summer kills it in one day. So I enjoy it when I have it and rely on farmers' markets when I don't.
Cilantro - I planted cilantro once but learned it was one and done after cutting so it's not worth my while. I can get a bunch in the supermarket or farmers' market when I really need the fresh.
My remaining herb plants - rosemary, thyme, tarragon, parsley - like the others, survived the winter and are greening up again this year. Yay! They're back! Life is just better when your food is as fresh as it can be, and more so when you have a part in producing it.
As always, I love your e-letter chats and art lessons! Thanks so much!
The incredible edible herb collection from Amy Stewart!
Although please give oregano another chance; it can be a perennial in your outdoor garden.