I wish I had a recipe post to share today, but quite frankly, it was way too hot to be in the kitchen. I don’t have the luxury of central air at my current apartment, and after I installed my three small AC units (okay, after Aaron installed them), we found out that only two of them produce cold air. We apparently paid for the third one to re-circulate the oppressively hot, humid air for the better part of an afternoon.
I suppose you can only expect so much when you haul all of your possessions 3,000+ miles across the country and back and then don’t use them for a couple of years. I shudder just walking past all of the UHaul trucks around Boston right now. You think the DMV is depressing? Step inside a UHaul store.
So, while I was not spending time in the kitchen, I spent some time working on a little herb garden on my porch.
I now have a nice selection of basil, chives, parsley, cilantro, mint (some of it is chocolate mint! ridiculous.), sage, rosemary, oregano, arugula, a hanging tomato plant (fingers crossed that one makes it!), and my favorite – baby Swiss chard.
I bought the chard at Whole Foods and I will be so, so happy if I get to enjoy even a few leaves this summer. Produce just tastes better when you grow it yourself.
I hope to have the space for a non-container garden when we eventually buy a place, but for the time being, this is like my little oasis. It’s amazing how a few plants can transform a rickety old porch with views of a parking lot.
And if it gets too hot, there’s always the kiddie pool.
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We just planted a few herbs in our backyard! Just thyme, basil and mint…but chocolate mint?!?! Where did you find that?
I found it at Allandale Farm in Brookline. They have an awesome selection of herbs, flowers, produce, etc. They had an apple mint too, but I was too excited about the chocolate mint to check it out. Next time!
Great – thank you! I’ll have to pay them a visit soon…
I’m having total herb envy right now! I just bought two to try and grow inside (since we lack any yard) and they are already dead :/
I’ve been there! I’ve yet to be successful keeping any plants alive indoors except some bamboo and a cactus. haha Maybe it was not enough sun? Or crappy soil? I’ve also over-watered my plants before. So many ways to kill them…
Your pictures are GORG! I hope to have an herb garden one day but just haven’t been dedicated enough to do it yet. If and when I do, I might have to hit you up for advice!!
Thanks! I’m happy to share what I know about gardening…but to be honest, I know very little! It’s a learning experience for me too.
Chocolate mint! Baby Swiss Chard! I want it all!
I have a little herb garden going on- and can not BELIEVE that I’ve kept it alive for 2 months! I think the secret to this is making sure it doesn’t get TOO much sunlight.
I hope you did break out the baby pool- I’ll never get tired of photos of the pups playing in it!
I totally agree about the sunlight – there’s definitely a balance between too much and not enough! Same goes for watering the plants. In the past, I think I have been guilty of over-watering. Oops!
How adorable is puppy! So sweet. Love your container garden. I love chocolate mint! And pineapple sage is great too. We are moving in a few weeks, so I’ve been delaying adding to my herb collection but I can’t wait to get moved so I can get herb on!
Just discovered your blog, it’s fun and well-written – I’ll know I’ll be back often! About 11-12 years ago a friend gave me a collection of herb plants purchased at the Farmers Market in Minneapolis (I’ve since moved to New Mexico). I didn’t have yard space for growing (we had three large dogs then, down to two now) so I planted them in large pots, along with a few flowers, by our back door. It was so easy, and so wonderful to have wonderful fresh herbs just a few steps from my kitchen – I’ll never go without again if I can help it! Now that we’re living in New Mexico I have pots lined up next to the patio where they get a good combination of sun and shade, and this year’s crop is super – just made my second double-batch of pesto in two weeks. YUM.
Keep up the great blog!
Thanks for the kind words! I totally agree – I love being able to step onto my porch and pick fresh herbs.
Homemade pesto sounds wonderful!
Wow great photos of your herb garden. The baby swiss chard is so cute! I came home from work and found my mint plant looking totally pitiful (it seems to need a TON of watering) but I gave it some water and have my fingers crossed it’ll perk up. I love having a kitchen herb garden though, it creates such a nice, fresh, green vibe
I totally agree! It’s so nice to see green when I look out my window.
Mint does seem to require a ton of watering, but I bet it’ll bounce back.
Oh and you puggle is adorable! All of the ones I’ve ever met have such great personalities. Makes me want a canine companion so badly!!!
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