Recently, Greg read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, which seemed to really impact his life. Suddenly, he would come home, see me eating a granola bar in the kitchen and sigh heavily, roll his eyes and say, “Ugh! That just disgusts me!”
I read the book later on with our book club, and I came to realize that Greg was referring to the heavily manufactured state of our food today and sad decline of an actual meal. Without going into all the other great points about this book (which I am sure Greg can expand on a lot better than I can), it did encourage me to take on a new hobby.
Pollan suggests growing a garden, even if you are a city dweller, so that you have some understanding of what it takes to bring what you eat to the table.
So we started a condo-version herb garden:
And here’s the most recent addition (patio tomato plant) that I just bought yesterday:
I’ve never had a green thumb before, so we’ll see how these experiments go, but so far, I’m really getting into this hobby and I’m pretty sure Greg thinks I’m a crazy person for treating these guys like little pets!
Since I’m going to have a balcony again in a few weeks, I’m thinking of doing the same thing. But, question for you… in this climate, do we need to bring plants inside in the winter? Cuz if so, mine would never last… trusty cat Cleo is a digger and a plant killer. But if I can leave them out over the winter, I’ll totally do it. And I guess that makes sense, as long as I just do seasonal stuff, cuz you know farms and fields and stuff are outside in winter!
Looking good! So much fun…wait until you start using the herbs in your cooking. So pleasurable. I love your little pots.
General note: What I learned from planting herbs in pots on patios and porches. They love extra water. Especially as summer picks up, make sure to water regularly. Maybe even daily, or twice daily. Especially if they get hot sun or are sitting on a concrete base that will heat up. Or they get wilty and die.
Stef: Most of the herbs are annuals, so they will die off by the end of the season. Some will last; rosemary, but most will expire by the end of the summer/early fall. Then you just start over again in the spring. I should also caveat this and say, mine always die at the end of the season. I’ve tried bringing the herbs in and have had no luck.
Yes, I’ve noticed that. The nursery told me I need to water then once every 2 or 3 days, but I’ve been doing it almost every day. I heard that basil, in particular, is a water hog.
Good for you – it’s all about living green and eating locally – even in the smallest of ways. Besides, you’ll find that truly fresh herbs always make your food taste better. In the summer I’m constantly thankful for basil leaves fresh from the potted plant.
I also started a garden outside in the ground this year. It’s very satisfying. I’ve already had a couple of strawberries. They taste so much better than store bought. My tomatoes are already starting to grow. I also planted cucumbers and cherry peppers and red peppers. If I get a good crop of Cherry peppers I plan on making stuffed poppers for football season. I may even be planting a pumpkin that Michael brought home from school, just not sure when to plant that one. It’s still in seedling form. I can’t wait to start picking some veggies.
Not a big fan of herb gardens though. Rosemary gives me major migraines. Cilantro is just icky if there’s too much. Basil would be my herb of choice.
[...] Greg and I are proud to say that we are now share holders of a Green Fence Farm CSA. Inspired by In Defense of Food and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, it was only an added bonus to know were supporting personal friends [...]