May 28, 2010

How Does My Herb Garden Grow?


If you think growing your own produce is too difficult or time consuming, think again. In addition to shopping at the farmer’s markets, I decided to try my hand at growing herbs and peppers this year. After reading about the success others were enjoying with the EarthBox, I really wanted to test it myself.

Seven weeks ago, I planted six seedlings: three basil, one rosemary, one jalapeno pepper and one serrano pepper. As you can see from the photos below, we now have more basil than I ever imagined. And my rosemary, jalapenos and serranos are thriving. I’m thrilled!

My Earthbox today








Basil







Rosemary










Jalapeno Pepper

















The beauty of the Earthbox is in its simplicity. It comes with instructions on layering the soil and fertilizer, and details about the number of seedlings to plant. In addition, it features a water reservoir that allows the plants to absorb exactly the amount of water they need. It’s the perfect solution if you have limited space or challenging soil (like we have in my corner of the earth).

Now all I need is a great recipe for pesto!

Do you grow any of your own produce? If so, please share your best gardening tip!

5 comments:

  1. WOW Tara, I am so impressed! I was not familiar with Earth Box, I must check it out ASAP! I usually grow mints, lemon verbena, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, and cherry tomatoes in the summer. I am behind this year due to travel, but you are inspiring me! Have a great weekend!!

    PS - I will find my fave pesto recipe and email it to you! :) xox

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  2. Trish, I would appreciate that! Believe it or not, I have been cooking with the basil and we have been giving it away by the handfuls, and it still looks like that!

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  3. OMG...I have 4 Earth Boxes and I live in the Northern part of the U.S. They are awesome! I have grown some of the best tomatoes and herbs. So easy.

    You are the first person I've run into who owns these great gardening gems!

    How fun!

    By the way, happy to be a new follower. :)

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  4. Thanks for joining in the blog hop -- love your new garden. Here are a few things I learned about herb gardens: Grow Tomatoes with your basil, they love each other and both do really well together. Pot some marigolds around your herbs, the bugs loathe the smell so will stay away.

    My recipe for pesto ( not sure of measurements, I just wing it)
    Parma. cheese, loads of it
    Pine nuts, plenty
    Olive oil, loads of it
    Basil, loads and loads of it.

    Blend until fine, you may want to add a bit of olive oil at the end to smooth it out. Will keep in fridge for about a week.

    Enjoy!

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  5. Your herbs look amazing! We started our herbs in peat pellets and are doing container gardening this year. I must check out the Earth Box! Up here in Northern BC, we weren't able to put our plants out until last weekend, so it will be a bit before my basil is anywhere near as beautiful as yours!

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