Two weeks ago I had the most magical dinner at a restaurant called Hierbabuena in Todos Santos, Mexico. The baja peninsula region is arid and desert-like, surrounded by water. The quiet Sea of Cortez is to the east, with the harsh waves of the Pacific to the west. After the long, bumpy, incredibly dusty drive to the property gate, Hierbabuena greets you like an unexpected oasis. The gardens are overflowing with fragrant herbs and blooming vines, and the breeze from the Pacific coast (just visible from the restaurant) carries all of those scents across the outdoor restaurant in the best way. We sipped rosé (obviously), savored pizza made with fresh herbs from the garden, and plotted our return to this exact spot every year forever. I came home from my trip feeling inspired to see more of the world, and maybe try to grow something of my own at home on the balcony. Herbs seem like useful plants that don’t require much space — perfect for my city-dwelling condo lifestyle. Do you grow plants for cooking? Which ones are the easiest and most useful? Those of you with a green thumb, let me know in the comments thread.
image sources: white skirt and book via tumblr, girl on ladder by parker fitzgerald for kinfolk magazine, girl in flowers by parker fitzgerald from her book overgrowth, girl in field with basket from herschel supply, uprooted plant by parker fitzgerald for kinfolk magazine, hands with scissors from lily, plants on table via pinterest, overhead of herbs on white paper by parker fitzgerald for kinfolk magazine, hands in water via tumblr, girl with chicken by loretablog, chicken and wellies by loretablog
I just started growing basil, mint and cilantro for the summer! It’s a real challenge with the New England weather to get them to sprout in the minimal days of sun.
Nice. I hope your plants make it through spring for a summer harvest. Those seem like three good ones for me to start with.
This year is the first I will try to grow my own herbs from seeds! While I know it’s easier to just buy the plants (which I might do for lavender and rosemary), it was important to me to buy local heirloom varieties that will have a better taste than something you’d get at the grocery store. It may all go awry and nothing might end up growing, but I plan on posting the process on my blog soon.
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Very cool, Eva. I didn’t know that growing from local seeds would taste different than a store-bought plant, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely check in on your blog to follow your process.