Windowsill Herb Garden

 

I was perusing Pinterest in October and found a pin about starting certain herbs from cuttings.  I was very intrigued especially since Rosemary was mentioned as one of them and I ALWAYS buy a new plant every year as they don't winter over where I live.  I have tried and tried to keep them through the winter, even getting them through until early Spring, only to have a late freeze "do them in."  I tried keeping them inside too, but after discarding many Rosemary "corpses" early winter, I gave up.

However, it is known universally that true gardeners never really give up, we only replant.  So, I figured I would try again by trying this method of  taking cuttings and see if I could keep them alive over winter.

 

So I was amazed and shocked to find that the Rosemary seems to happily root themselves in a bit of water.  Just take a clipping of a stem down to the woody part.  Remove the lower leaves and place in container...that's it.  Insta-Rosemary plants...well, give or take a week or two.  However, if you are patient, they will root.  And as you can see mine did.  

And then I planted two out of five of them.  They did well for awhile and then the inevitable came...

more herbal carnage. 

I couldn't show you a picture, because a dead plant is a disgrace to a gardener, even if it's only on a windowsill.

So, I started another cutting and it's happily rooted in water.  Where it's going to stay for now.

I also brought in the "mother plant."  And she's alive and even growing.  

I am fiercely trying to ignore her and only water when I see branches wilt as overwatering is a fast death sentence to Rosemary.

 

This parsley is actually not a cutting but a plant I started in late fall.  I don't think it's going to grow much bigger but I'm determined to keep it alive as I love its leaves.

 

My basil cuttings?  I only had one casualty and that was due to over or under watering...not sure which one it was.  However, the others rooted and were planted and are doing pretty well so far.

I have five more to plant, but am moving slowly on the planting as I don't want to lose any of them and they are still happy in their water.

I even managed to start a few peppermints from the plants in late November or early December.  Two out of five survived but they are making it.

I only have eastern windows, so anything that makes it will have to be especially hardy.

So, this is my winter garden.  Humble but happy.  A happy garden sight for white snowy days.  And the scent is a delicious reminder of outdoor summertime meals.

What's your favorite herb to cook with in the winter?  Blessings! 

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African Violets: A Color Feast in January

African Violet "Saint Paulia"

I started out gardening with houseplants.  After all, when you don't have any outdoor space, it only makes sense.  But philodendron, ivies, aloes and dieffenbachias just don't seem to satisfy everything in gardening...after all we garden not just for the love of gardening, but for "fruit."  This means either flowers, or something we can eat.  

Just looking at green is pretty nice, but to be honest, I need to anticipate something wonderful that comes with the plant...it's kind of like the change of seasons.  Even though it's difficult to switch from summer to fall to winter; there is something about the change that's gratifying. Moving from summer's greens to autumn's golds and reds and then to winter's white, blues and grays makes everything a little nicer...especially when winter is followed by the brilliant burst of the colors of spring.

 

So, growing these violets is a beautiful thing in the bleak days of winter.  I practically ignore them every other time of the year except to water and feed them.  But winter is when they become my focal point again.  As they bloom, I feel springtime is awakened!

This variegated purple version is my oldest.  A friend gave it to me as a thank-you gift in the year 2000.  Yes, I still have it and have almost killed it but thankfully it resisted my attempts. 

It's a great reminder of a friendship from long ago (my friend moved out-of-state) and I love the memories attached to it. 

So, just taking a little break from winter to enjoy these little blossoms of vibrant colors...hoping you enjoyed them just a little bit too...

What's your favorite indoor plant or flower?  Blessings!

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