Using your home-grown herbs in your meals doesn’t have to be something you can ONLY do in the summer!
Spring has been unusually long-winded this year. I like that. Probably because I’m still in my winter body and not quite ready for summer primetime.
A long-lasting springtime also gives us more time to get a garden in order. Or, in my case, plant herbs in my window box. Oh, how I long for a garden! Alas, our land is mainly in the shade EXCEPT for a great open spot smack dab in the most inconvenient location in the yard. I’ve tried convincing Dennis that we don’t need a sidewalk. We don’t, right?
And so, for now, window boxes and potted herbs will have to suffice.
Make the best of it.
Are you in the same situation? You may have an apartment without access to green space or a balcony. Or, you may have room for a garden but need access to time.
I feel you. I do!
If you can – and have a spot for at least one potted container for one little ol’ herb – please take advantage of the opportunity to plant something edible. The joyful feelings we get from pinching off a stem of parsley or thyme or grabbing a handful of mint to throw in lemonade or tea are truly happy-endorphin-producing!
Stash away a bit of your bounty for this winter.
Here is my proposal… plant your favorite herb, the one you always buy at the grocery store, plant it in a large pot and let it go CRAZY!
Next… go crazy with using your favorite herb and experiment with it – put it in hot foods, cold foods, salad, drinks, grilling, you name it!
Play around!
Become the best parsley/cilantro/oregano/thyme/savory herb expert there ever was!
Oh, there is one more thing I want you to do… as you enjoy your lovely herb container garden all summer long: snip some of your extra herbs and dry them for use this coming fall and winter.
Hang them upside down to dry, use a dehydrator, or dry them in a low-heat oven.
I can’t tell you how many times I pulled out my little bag of oregano, parsley, or homemade herb salt this past winter and thanked my past self for caring for my future self.
You will also thank your past self for planting herbs today for tomorrow. I know it.
Eat well, my friend.
Lyndi
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