Thinking about starting an herb garden??  That’s great news!  I love having fresh herbs at my finger tips and they are so cheap to grow (compared with the pricey little bundles available at your grocery store).

I live in Western New York, so most culinary herbs are annual here (with a few exceptions such as oregano, dill, mints and thyme).  Not the end of the world – it’s still cheaper to buy a few plants than to purchase from a grocery store.  If you want to be really frugal, you can start your herbs from seed; however, I’m a little too lazy for that.

So your one of your first questions is probably "what will I plant?"  Well first and foremost, plant what you will use.  Are you looking for culinary herbs?  Herbs to make teas?  Herbs that just smell nice or look pretty?  Below is what I grow in my herbal garden –

Culinary:  Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley, Sage, Chives, Cilantro, Tarragon

Tea:  Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Spearmint, Peppermint, Yarrow, Lemon Verbena

Other:  Echinacea, Lavender, Tansy

Next you need a small garden space or flower bed, some good dirt and your plants.  Break up the dirt, add some compost to boost the nutrients in the soil, put your plants in the dirt and water them.  Keep them watered through the hot summer, but not so much that the ground is always soggy.  The plants will let you know when they need water...they get a little droopy.

Even if you don’t have space for a typical outdoor garden, you can still plant an herb garden.  There are many options, you just need good potting soil and your plants.  Get creative!

A tabletop herb garden - makes a great centerpiece on your outdoor table.  Just find a large shallow planter, add dirt and a handful of your favorite herb plants.

A window box outside a kitchen window – simply open the window and trim off some herbs to brighten up your dinner.               

A container garden – plant herbs in several different containers to set around your porch or even just on the steps going up to your front door.

A window sill garden – similar to the window box, just indoors on a window sill.

I hope the pictures I included here have inspired you to start your own herb garden.  I will post pictures of mine later in the season!!
Happy herb gardening!

-Tracy

PS - If you have not joined my email list on the main page of this website, please do so now!  You don't want to miss out on my May Newsletter - which is all about veggie gardens!  (cuz they equal happiness too!  :-) )

Do you have a nice set of china, a fancy dress or nice bottle of wine that you are saving for a special occasion?  Do you have an actual specific occasion in mind or is this just your mind talking you into saving it vs enjoying it?  I have been battling “special occasion disorder” for some time now.  Some days I win, some days I lose, but it’s a battle worth fighting.

Many years ago, my grandmother wrapped each piece of her milk glass dinnerware set in newspaper, boxed them up, and gave them to me.  I had no idea if they were valuable or not, but they were simple, elegant and I loved them.  So what did I do with them?  I lovingly placed them on a shelf in the basement and continued to use my everyday Corningware that I didn’t care for at all.  I actually forgot I even had those dishes that I loved so much…until one day while searching in the basement, I came across the boxes.  “Oh yeah, I remember these!”, but in the basement they remained.

One day after reading an article about minimalism, I started to think about all the stuff I have in my house….I could certainly get rid of a lot.  I thought of the set of dishes sitting in the basement; too nice to use for everyday dishes.  Then I realized the absurdity of my thoughts.  I have a set of dishes I love, but they are just too good to use on an ordinary day??  Isn’t every day special?  Isn’t every day a gift?  Don’t I deserve to surround myself with things I love rather than burying them in the basement?  I marched to the basement and hauled the boxes upstairs.  I washed and dried them all, then pulled out my CorningWare, boxed it up and donated it.  For the last few years I have been blessed every day with my grandmother’s beautiful dishes.  Reading about minimalism has shown me that this is a pattern in my life, and I suspect it may be in yours as well. 

The easiest and most common place to start when trying to minimalize your life a little bit, is your wardrobe.  When I first tackled my closet, my disorder became evident again.  I found in my closet some of my favorite clothing items…all pristine and never worn…to be sure that when that special occasion came along, it would be clean, wrinkle free and ready to throw on.  The clothes I cared less about, were worn all the time…I suppose because I didn’t care if I ruined them or not.  Once I realized this pattern, I knew there was work to do.  I started with a purge of things I know I didn’t really like (no matter how often I wore them)…maybe the color just wasn’t right, the fit was a little weird or the style just wasn’t “me”.  That was a good start, but where to from there?  I found a box to become my donation box.  For the last year or so, when I put on an item of clothing and I realize that it’s shrunk and the fit is now off or that I just don’t feel great when I’m wearing it, it goes right into the donation box.  I have also tried the rule that if I don’t wear it during the season that it is appropriate for, it has to go in the box.  This has me rethink the idea of not wearing my favorite things; I don’t want to give them away!!  I’m not perfect at following this rule, but the switch in mindset has made all the difference in the world.

Are you suffering from “Special Occasion Disorder”?  Do you have a nice set of wine glasses you never use because they are too special?  A beautiful journal you never write in?  A great smelling candle you never burn?  Cologne you never bother you use?  If any of these are true for you, what are you waiting for? Every day is a gift; you get to live this day…is there a more special occasion?