Herbs, Flowers, and Brussels Sprouts

I fully believe that anyone with a will and a way can grow anything they like.  Not just herbs in pots, not just a single, somewhat sad tomato plant, not just flowers you buy at the grocery or hardware store.  Anything.

Food isn't always about the finished product.  Shocker!  I know!  I enjoy truly great restaurant meals as much as the next person, and there are certainly some items that are more consistent when made with professional grade equipment, but I would pick a great homemade meal over any of it!  And when it includes something I grew myself, so much the better.

The image above, taken eighteen days ago, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to that.  This year's offerings include herbs, Brussels sprouts, and flowers (most of which are edible, believe it or not!).  And these are just the ones that I have the equipment for and the space!  Literally hundreds of tomatoes and peppers are just a hop, skip, and a jump away at my parents' house, growing like weeds in anticipation for the May planting days.

But that was eighteen days ago.  Want to see them now?

 Marigolds and Johnny Jump Ups

Garden Thyme and Giant from Italy Parsley

 Lavender and Snapdragons

 Burgundy Velour and Great Lakes Mix Petunias

 Confetti Cilantro and Borage

 Sweet Leaf Basil and Calendula

 Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts and Clear Mix Impatiens

Four O'Clocks

What a difference two and a half weeks can make!  And yet most of them aren't even close to ready to go outside, even if the temperatures were consistent through the day and night!

At any rate, as I get back into this blogging thingimajig I thought that I might show not just recipes from time to time but also the work that goes into the ingredients and some of the strategies I use to make my garden grow.  In addition to vegetables, flowers, and herbs we are in the beginning stages of our own mini orchard and have multiple berry plots scattered about the yard which will also come into play as spring picks up and moves to summer.

I am by no means a professional but I will happily answer any questions you may have as we go along!  I grew up planting and weeding with my family and I don't remember a time without seeds and plants and trees and dirt and weeds.  So.  Many.  Weeds.  I grow everything organically and I wouldn't have it any other way.  That isn't to say that I don't have some bug-destroying tricks up my sleeve, but I most certainly don't use anything that I wouldn't want to end up in my body some other way.  Anyway, enjoy your time here and I hope that it ends up helping you enjoy your time out there just a little bit more!