1. First of all, I would like to inform you all that CSN has contacted me about doing a product review. CSN Stores, an online retailer with over 200 + stores, sells everything from wall sconces and barstools to cookware and backpacks. So, be looking out for this review; there maybe a surprise in store!
2. Okay, so I've been wanting to grow my own herbs and veggies for a long time, but my history of killing almost all living things (with humans and large animals being the only exceptions hah!) has prevented me from trying. Well, a friend/colleague of mine overheard that I wanted fresh basil (along with other herbs) and gave me some basil (see photo above) the next day I saw her. Isn't she the greatest?! The first thing I thought when I saw the basil was, "Oh no! I'm about to kill another plant! I better use up some basil today because it will be dead by the next day." haha!
I looked online to see how to take care of basil, went to the store to buy soil, a pot, and a shovel. Then, I potted the basil carefully and placed it outside. Fast forward almost two weeks later, and I am happy to report that my basil is still alive and growing!!!!! I cannot believe it!! Now, I'm thinking about adding another herb. What do you all suggest?- Can I add another herb or herbs to the same pot?
- What herb do you suggest? I am thinking about adding rosemary, parsley, or mint.
3. AWARD:
Two food bloggers, Spicie Foodie and Casa en la cocina, gave me this award. I feel so honored!!The rules of accepting this award are as follows:
-Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
-Pass the award onto 10 bloggers.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
-Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.
-Lists things that make you happy.
I'm passing this award to every single person who leaves a comment here. You have the option to follow the rules and acknowledge this award on your own blog or list the ten things that make you happy in the comments section below. I know this breaks the abovementioned rule, but I also understand that some bloggers don't like to participate in award giving/receiving. So, list the ten things that make you happy in the comments section or on your blog with a link to this post.
Ten Things that Make Me Happy (in no particular order after #4):
1. Loving God. 2. Talking to my mom.
3. Being with my on-and-off girlfriend and her two daughters.
4. Learning and knowing other languages.
5. Being a doctoral/PhD student.
6. Teaching.
7. This blog.
8. Hearing from my readers. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
9. Baking
10. Traveling to other countries.
I look forward to hearing about the ten things that make you all happy and for your advice on growing herbs!
BASIL BEFORE:
BASIL AFTER:
Okay so first, I'm doing something with CSN stores as well! I am currently hosting a giveaway, so you should definitely check it out: http://measuringspoonsandmixingbowls.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-first-giveaway.html
ReplyDeleteNow for 10 things that make me happy (in no order):
* Talking to my best friend
* Baking something delicious and sharing it with my friends
* The lab I work in - I am actually excited to come in everyday
* Burt's Bees chapstick
* Going to the Charlottesville Farmers Market
* A lazy afternoon in the sun
* Getting a dozen pictures a day from my mom of her kittens (her new children after my sister and I moved out)
* Hiking somewhere with beautiful views
* Getting a compliment - I'm a sucker for those, even if they make me blush
* My family
Oh and I definitely suggest rosemary - it is so versatile! And I think it's heartier than basil, not as easy to kill.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
I love to grow herbs. Most are so easy. Basil is a little finicky but I find that rosemary is very hardy. I have mint as well but don't use as much as I do the basil and mint.
ReplyDeleteBasil is a delicate thing to grow, at least for me. I grew a lot of them last year, but they struggled a lot.. sometimes too much sun, and they turned yellow, sometimes too less water..finally I kept them inside near a window and they did good.
ReplyDeleteI love rosemary, but do not have one. I have lots of mint growing. great for summer freshness.
Oh, I don't think you should add anything. Unless that pot is bigger than it looks, that is. I grew basil for the first time last summer and it went totally crazy and got enormous. I also grew mint, which I loved and used all summer. I'd definitely suggest that for you since you love tea, but maybe in its own pot. In fact, my mint came back this year unexpectedly, so I'm already enjoying it in teas! Yea, me!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your very nice award!!
I grow herbs myself and they are mostly tropical ones like m]lemon grass, curry leaf, bird's eye chili, thai basil and green onions --this way I have fresh herbs always for my cooking.
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of the basil and I am proud of you for keeping it alive for lo these many days! Congratulations on the awards, Memoria!
ReplyDeleteOkay now, the top 10 things that make me happy:
1. God :o)
2. My one and only daughter :o)
3. My Mom :o)
4. My daughter's blog :o)
5. My friends :o)
6. Listening to audio books :o)
7. Biking :o)
8. Kissing :o)
9. Traveling :o)
10.Eating :o)
I have more, many more, but I will stop at 10 :o)
Such great information on how to grow basil. I love basil. I have been wanting to grow it on my own. Now I know how. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you did this! I love me some basil!
ReplyDeleteI grew basil last year and wow I had so much...but I think I did go overboard and planted tons..but I made great sauce..
ReplyDeletesweetlife
I grow a great big pot of basil every year on the deck outside my kitchen, I find it very easy to grow from seed- just make sure you pick off any flowers that develop. If you move to a large pot outside you could easily do the parsley and mint in the pot with the basil, but give the rosemary its own pot, it does not need nearly as much water as the others.
ReplyDeleteIf you do plant mint make sure its in a pot and by itself. Because it really can become a problem. It will spread everywhere and take over everything!
ReplyDeleteBasil can grow to quite a large plant. This pot seems a bit small for more than one herb. Usually you would use a large pot and mix them up. Mint takes over - it is a weed, but a nicely scented weed! I think that something that hangs down would be nice, like perhaps nasturtium or pansies. The flowers are edible.
ReplyDeleteGood for your for attempting to grow your own herbs. I am a terrible gardener, but even under my "black thumb,'' basil manages to grow. Think of all the pesto you'll soon be able to enjoy. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood job on not killing your basil--it's a breakthrough! :) I wouldn't add any more herbs to that pot but you can start some in another. Rosemary, thyme & sage are what I would go for but that's based on my personal preferences. Congrats on the product review--that's too cool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! Nothing better than fresh basil. Now, do you have some home-grown tomatoes? That would be killer...
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the herb growing. I tend to kill plants too. :( Black thumb of death. I definitely would not add anything else to that pot. Congrats on the award!
ReplyDeleteyour basil looks good, hope it grows fast and strong! :)
ReplyDeleteHerbs? The secret is light light light and not too much water. Organic plantfood if you can. Sage and rosemary go together... basil is a different animal with different needs. SOme people can make it work but in a different pot. Other than that... give it love and affection and it will try to do well for you!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like fresh home grown basil!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on her plant, you have done an excellent job!
ReplyDeleteWe have basil in the garden too and I absolutely love just going into the garden to grab a handful for a salad. Yours looks like it's just thriving so congrats on that! :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely recommend growing rosemary as well- They're so easy to grow and a little goes a really long way!