report from yesterday

[rafiwinters]

So I have a garden now!

Yesterday morning my wife and I went to a nearby garden center--a locally owned and independent one, not one of the big chain stores. This place had been recommended by someone I know, and they were super nice, super helpful and informative. We came away with:

* two cherry tomato plants (Sungold variety)
* two large lavender plants--they also had smaller ones in smaller pots but I rly rly like lavender
* two different kinds of marigolds--different shades of yellow/orange/reddish, total ten plants

And one each of:

* sage
* marjoram
* thyme
* rosemary
* mint
* lemon balm

And when we got home it was threatening to rain, so I went right out and planted my haul from the garden center. Mint and lemon balm in pots to be kept out of the main garden. Rosemary at either side, lavender plants together near one of the rosemarys, marigolds in two lines, the other things in the rest of the garden. I ended up tilling a bit more space, for the lavender and rosemary, and so I would have space kept clear for eventually planting bulbs in the fall for blooming next spring. Yup, thinking ahead!

It started raining just as I was tidying up (putting pots and tools away, throwing away some trash that had been in the garden bed, etc.), and I dodged inside just as it got steady. Perfect timing for new little baby plants.

Comments

[otter]

Yay! sounds very busy!!!! and lovely colors and smells

[rafiwinters]

What you said. All of them.

[earthspirits]

How lovely! There's something so soothing about planting a garden.

[rafiwinters]

There certainly is. And it smells so nice when the wind is right, or when you just get out there and bend down and sniff the herbs.

[derridian]

It's always good when you can get nature to do the watering in for new plants :)

And I hear you on the lavender - every time I cut mine back I can't help taking cuttings and propagating a few more so I currently have about 10 mid-sized and 25 baby lavender chilling in my backyard. (Unfortunately lavender isn't the only plant I do that with. I have a "bung it in a pot, maybe it will grow" issue :/)

lavender

[rafiwinters]

I could make my own sachets... potpourri... lavender lemonade... give some to a friend who wants to make lavender simple syrup... or just plain squish some in my hands any time I want a nice smell.

Or cook with it. Do you happen to know if the lavender we grow in our gardens is culinary grade?

Re: lavender

[derridian]

The lavender you most likely bought is the most common type generally known as English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia is the botanical name and should be on the tag) which is edible and the only thing you need for it to be culinary grade is to not use pesticides on or near it.

Re: lavender

[rafiwinters]

Okay, good! I'm not planning on using any pesticides.

[highlyeccentric]

Yay for baby plants!

[rafiwinters]

Indeed. They are so cute and look so happy in the freshly tilled, as-yet-weed-free soil. I went out yesterday morning and talked to them. :)