Ideas for >> Planting Herbs

We've had a few gorgeous days this week (although I think we're back to rain for the weekend), and I was able to get outside and get a few herbs planted! We have almost no outdoor space at our current place, just a few front steps outside of our door. Nonetheless, I wanted to maximize the space we do have and get some green things outside.

I had found this pallet a couple of months ago while taking the dog on a walk, and I dragged it home with the idea of another project in mind. Instead though, I thought it would make a great shelf for a few small pots to use up some vertical space. For now I have mint, dill, and thyme going, and I'd like to add a few more now that I know I have space for them.

I used a tea tin with a few holes punched in the bottom for a free, easy container.

When we lived in California, one of my favorite things was being able to have herbs growing outside year-round. We can't have plants outside year-round here in Seattle, but since these are in small containers they'll be easy enough to bring inside and place on a sunny windowsill (well, what passes in a Seattle winter).  It's so nice to be able to grab a sprig or two of what you need when you need it, rather than spend $3-$4 for a little plastic box of way more than you likely need at the store!

A few other ideas for planting herbs >

> Take this same pallet and turn it into it's own planter!
> Another idea for a vertical garden. Also, a great inspiration for re-using cans as planters.
> Start your own herbs from cuttings from friends.

I hope this inspires you to get your green thumb out!

shanti >> sondra

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.pick your own.

I am very fortunate to live in a place that has one of the best farmer's markets in the country. It's a bit of a community ritual, going down to the park on Wednesdays and Saturdays, checking out the edible wares, doing some people watching, and maybe getting your veggie corn dog on (mmmmm...). 

We were listening to the Freakanomics podcast the other day (FANTASTIC if you haven't ever listened to it, by the way), and the topic was eating locally, and whether it was really as good for us, the planet, and the economy to eat this way. Spoiler alert, but their conclusion (after talking to various experts, reviewing academic studies, etc.), is that NO, this is not the answer to our food problems. While they make several good scientific and numerical claims and points in their piece, I can't help but disagree. You see, one thing you can't measure is people's well being, their sense of connection, of wholeness. Going out and touching. Seeing. Feeling. Knowing exactly how food gets to your table is important. It touches us deep down on a primal level, way down in our root chakra where our sense of survival and interconnected-ness lies. Even if you don't buy your food at your own farmer's market, going and experiencing that connection is good for the heart. As our world speeds up and becomes smaller, our desire to slow down increases. Buying food at the farmer's market might be inefficient for our pocketbooks, but not for the soul. 

Even more inefficient for the pocketbook? Growing your own.* After spending $30 on plants, soil, cages, etc., for a few plants, it makes you wonder how many veggies you could buy with that money (especially if you bought them in season, when they'd be ripe anyway). But it's beside the point. Going out everyday, watching them go from little transplant to ripened thing that you can actually eat, is magical. And you can't put a price on that.

Do you have anything planted? 

.shanti.

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*Of course, if you plant from seeds and are all established, it would be quite cost effective. I'm talking about your everyday, throw a few tomato and pepper plants out there peeps, like myself.