Thursday, July 7, 2016

The Herb Garden in July

I haven't been bombarding you with garden posts lately.....just because I don't want you to think that all I do, day in and day out, is sit outside and drool over my garden. 

I only do that in the evenings. 

But, let's face it, it's July...and on the mountain top, that means that our gardens are coming into full swing now. 

We wait a long time for these short weeks of summer....and I sure as heck am going to enjoy every bit of my garden while I can!

Today I wanted to give you an update on the herb garden.


Do you remember, back in the early spring, when I moved my herbs from the veggie garden up to the deck?


Well, this is what that same area looks like now:


And this is only part way through the summer - can you imagine how green and lush the herb garden will be by the end of August? Wowzers!


The box on the left is just overflowing with gorgeous herbs - the Pineapple Sage has gone mad altogether, and I can't wait to see it flower!


The box on the right is also quite happy - look at how tall the Dill at the back of the box is now! And to think, it all started from an itty bitty seed!


The Dill is so close to flowering - the flower heads are just starting to get their distinctive yellow glow. I just love the form of the flower heads - gorgeous!


In between the two herb boxes, the vines I planted to grow up the arbor are really taking off. I started the seeds directly in the planters, downstairs in my nice warm utility room, and then moved the planters outside when the nights got warm.  There are Morning Glories and Moonflowers in the two planters, and Gloriosa Lilies planted inside the edge of both boxes. 


The Gloriosa Lilies are just starting to form flowers, as are the Morning Glories. I had a little lady friend stop and rest for a while....perhaps munching on some aphids?

See how the edges of the Gloriosa Lily leaves curl up - they look for something to grab on to, and then they climb, climb, climb! 

And then, they climb some more! 


Even though I grow the herbs for their culinary uses, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy their beautiful blooms. The Garden Sage is flowering right now, lovely soft purple flowers. 


The Lavender has been blooming for two months already - it mingles happily with the Lemon Thyme, and the Purple Basil. 


The Oregano has just started putting out some tiny blooms, as well. They are the softest pink flowers, nearly white. 


It's so convenient having the herbs right outside the kitchen door. I can walk outside when I'm cooking and just snip anything I need. 

Not to mention the heavenly aroma when I open the door!


The view from the kitchen window's not half bad, either!


And in the fall, every year, I gather my herbs and preserve them in various ways for the long winter ahead. I'll definitely share my methods with you when the time comes!

What's planted in your herb garden?

23 comments:

  1. Looks great! I can almost smell them

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks great! I can almost smell them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My kitchen smells like Dill right now, as I brought in a big Dill flower that broke off during the storm last night - heaven!

      Delete
  3. Love the colorful bottles in the window. Makes great sun catchers.
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lisa - they make me smile when the sun catches them in the mornings!

      Delete
  4. You have a wonderful crop now...your hard work has paid off. I love how very pretty it all looks . I can only imagine how nice it smells. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It smells like gardeners' heaven out on my deck, Susie!

      Delete
  5. Your herb garden is fabulous and looks really happy! I have rosemary, parsley dill, lemon balm and thyme and they are doing well also due to all of the rain showers followed by sunshine we have had. My lavender plant didn't make it through the winter so I was really sad about that cause it is my favorite! Will definitely try another one! I look forward to a later post about preserving them for winter use.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never had much luck with Lavender as a perennial, but it does great as an annual for me!

      Delete
  6. yep, it was fun to run into Gumby. Like you---I dont know where the moustache came from either! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. yep, it was fun to run into Gumby. Like you---I dont know where the moustache came from either! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gumby must be in disguise these days, maybe hiding from the law....:)

      Delete
  8. I'd love to be cooking with some of those herbs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love being able to go outside my door and snip what I need to flavor our meals - I shall miss that in the long winter!

      Delete
  9. Ah, the aroma of all those herbs! It looks so pretty, too. I didn't plant anything this year. And I'm regretting it. The cooler temps in October always make me want to plant herbs, haha! Too hot down here in TX!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess it's tough down there, with the heat you guys get - you'd need to water constantly, I'm guessing.

      Delete
  10. Your herb garden is lovely and oh so handy growing there on your deck. Great job.

    Have a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dill is, without question, one of the most beautiful plants when in flower. The work of a master!

    Your herb garden looks so lush and fresh. I'm sure you enjoy using them every chance you get.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do, Daisy - fresh herbs feature in most meals for us during the summer, for sure! Even if they are not in the main course they will always make it into the salad dressing as I make a fresh garlic-herb vinaigrette regularly.

      Delete
  12. I LOVE your herb garden boxes. What kind of wood did you use? Did you use the same kind on the bottom of them? Did you have a pattern? Also love how you connected them with the trellis, plants climbing and the pot set in the middle with the bird feeder hanging. Very lovely. Next year I will be gardening in a courtyard and am collecting ideas! Thank you for sharing yours! By the way I love being bombarded with herb and garden pictures and ideas! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nancy - I actually purchased those boxes through Hayneedle during one of their spring sales - although I'm sure you could build them easily enough, also. If they are going to be on a patio you could use a heavier duty wood - up here on the deck they needed to be somewhat lightweight, but the lighter wood will surely rot more quickly. I also filled the box about 2/3 full with peat moss to keep them lighter than using straight potting soil. I added casters to the bottom of the boxes so they could be rolled out to clean under and behind them as needed.

      Delete
  13. Thank you. I have never heard of Hayneedle so will have to check them out! Nancy

    ReplyDelete

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment...I truly love reading your comments and I try to respond to each and every one of your sweet comments right here on my blog page!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
09 10