Every year about this time I get the itch to get outside and get in touch with Mother Nature. With a sly smirk on her face she inevitably waits until I think the ground is dry enough to send a sudden snow, sleet, buckets of rain, or a hard frost. Sometimes all in the same week. I think she has a grudge against us Canadians. After a foul winter I am anxious to get out into the garden and get my hands in the soil. (But not for too long as this pale skinned descent of the British Isles turns into a crispy critter in the sun).
This year I thought I would start an herb garden since my space for planting is limited. Thusly, I have purchased four starter herbs and steeled with determination I will wait for spring to finally show up.
The first is chives, which I have grown before with some success but in a different area of the city. If all goes well I will be chopping them into my sandwiches and salads. These are your basic chives. I looked for the garlic chives but could not find any. In the fall if they get big enough I may see them with their lovely purple flower. Perhaps not this year but most likely next. By allowing them to flower they will broadcast seed and enlarge the clump.
This is rosemary which I am not really familiar with except for that line in the song Scarborough Fair. Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Remember me to one who lives there. She once was a true love of mine. I expect I will be googling recipes to use it with.
Mint, a must have in a garden at least in mine. Lovely for adding to salads or as a sauce for a lamb dish or as a refreshing tea. It has a wonderful aroma but can be a bit enthusiastic in its spreading throughout the garden capabilities.
And finally, basil. I know the plant in the picture looks a little droopy but it just needed some water and should perk right up again. I see pesto in my future from my basil plant.
Wish me luck. If these turn out I am hunting out other herbs like sage. But not catnip. Tried that one year and had to keep a birdcage over the plant to keep the neighbors cats from ruining it.
Live long and prosper
