Planting!

That’s the rosemary plant in my parents yard.   It gets lots of sun and is clearly very happy.   I planted rosemary a year ago and it’s still pretty much the same size.

It’s small. And clearly not so happy.

We have a pretty shaded yard so there are not many options in terms of space for plants requiring full sun. So, I decided to do some container herb gardening!  This way I can easily move the plants around to try to find the best spot for full sun.   I bought two pedestal pots (from Garden Ridge Pottery)  that did not have drainage holes so I drilled two small holes in the bottom and then put down a layer of rocks first.

I dug up the sad rosemary and replanted in one of the pedestal pots.  I used a little of the soil from our compost as well.

In the matching container, I planted basil and cilantro.   I grew basil last year and did not kill it so I hope it does well.  I have never tried to grow cilantro.  We shall see!

Those two pots are sitting on the front door stoop.   We’ll see if the amount of sunlight is sufficient.

I am also really excited about my stevia plant.  I call it the  Candy Plant.  If you break off a leaf and chew it, you’ll find the underside of the stevia leaf is super sweet!   You can add a leaf to tea or cocktails!   I would like to keep this one nearby so I just put it in a yellow pot I already had.  I am going to try it out in the kitchen (which gets the most light).

I just love the idea of having plants you can use in food and/or drinks readily on hand.  Which herbs are your favorite?   Have you planted any herbs?  Any tips?
-J