"HerbGarden" news and stories

It was exactly two weeks ago that I urged you herb-growing Slashfoodies to bring the greens in for the winter. What I didn't share was how much I cheated when I did it myself. On some fronts I was lucky, but on others, I've learned just how easy it is to bring herbs inside.

I brought in from my balcony: rosemary, chives, parsley, and mint -- each fairly sparse after fall harvesting. Since each pot had some bugs buried in the soil, I mangled the root system of each plant, cutting at least half the roots off, before shaking and rinsing the plant, and then re-potting in the same pots with new soil. I didn't give them an in-between hiding place for temperature changes and any missed bugs since I don't actually have one, so I just brought each pot in and hoped for the best.

About 6-7 days later, a new forest of mint stems sprung overnight and in two weeks, have completely exploded, like you see to the right. The mint, which used to be about 2-3 inches tall is now almost a foot. The parsley and chives have doubled, and the rosemary is as-is, since I gave it a little too much water when re-planting. It's so easy. Do it!

And one last thing before I shut up about herb transporting: These herbs did this in my fairly dark apartment with only minimal sun and warmth. Imagine what they could do in better conditions!

Dagoba's Rosemary Mint bar was one of Marisa's standout picks for our Fancy Food Show Favorites, and I've since become slavishly devoted to their Seeds bar. It's 68% cacao, studded throughout with pumpkin, hemp and sunflower seeds, and now I've got even greater impetus to dig it, because the company is giving away free seeds via their website Seed the Day.

"Whether it's a pot on the windowsill, a patch in the backyard or a big community effort, everyone can garden. We'll get you ready for spring and help keep your garden blooming by sending you the very herbs and flowers found in our chocolate bars. Everyone who signs up will get at least one packet of lavender, mint, rosemary, pumpkin or sunflower seeds."

So far as I can tell, there's not a single hitch or string -- just free seeds and an extra excuse to think of chocolate. The site also notes that should your planting group be planning a late night planting romp, they just might send along some delicious provisions. And - if you live in Boston, Chicago or San Francisco, you can come on out and nab a handful for yourself. Dates are listed here.


Seed the Day

The nearest grocery store to my house is very convenient -- at a couple of blocks away, it wouldn't be much hassle to bike down and pick up a few things. But it's a very ordinary store as well, and doesn't always have what I might be hunting. And when it doesn't? Well, the half-hour drive downtown is usually worth it for the abundant selection of fresh fruits and veggies, but sometimes I simply don't feel up to it. So, facing up to the coming winter, I've cleared off a sunny kitchen windowsill as an ideal place to attempt to grow my own selection of herbs. And while I don't claim to have a green thumb, a couple of weeks into the experiment my little plants -- basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, and lavender (I've never cooked with this last, but it smells lovely in the kitchen) -- already seem to be growing a bit. Want to test your own green thumb?