We try to keep everything organic, fresh, and local in my house. Sometimes we stray from that plan and end up with a Tiramisu or a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream - but hey, no judgment. Right? When I was contacted about receiving an herb box from Bluebird Growers, I was immediately all in.
I love cooking with fresh herbs, but I don't always seem to have the best luck with using them before they go bad. Or, if I buy the individual ones from the grocery store they quickly die off. With a large planter box sitting on the back porch, I won't be forgetting to water it. I see it every time I let the dogs into our backyard.
Named in honor of his grandmother's love for bluebirds, owner Nicholas Zimmer uses Instagram to connect with consumers and educate them on plants. A recent Instagram post about basil was a bit shocking for me. Nicholas used the caption to inform his followers of a chronic disease in many of Florida's basil plants. He also offered a good substitute that does well in our part of the country, the African blue basil (see above image).
The box is constructed with salvaged wood from Hurricane Matthew's destruction in October 2016. Mine loaded with five organic herbs: thyme, parsley, marjoram, oregano, and African blue basil. I often use dried parsley and thyme in my cooking, so this combination of plants is perfect.
Can we talk about how cute my little garden looks right now? ;)
Growing up in Maryland, we had rich soil, not the sand I see everywhere here in Florida. It's difficult to grow anything in the stuff without mixing in bags of soil... One of my first years here I planted allium bulbs and never saw a single one poke up out of the ground. Yes, I was watering them... After this had happened, we created raised beds, and things actually started to grow in those.
I'm excited to add this planter into the mix. It's perfect for all of the cold salads I'll be making this summer! You can pick up your own box at one of the three Native Sun Natural Foods Market in Jacksonville, Florida.
I love cooking with fresh herbs, but I don't always seem to have the best luck with using them before they go bad. Or, if I buy the individual ones from the grocery store they quickly die off. With a large planter box sitting on the back porch, I won't be forgetting to water it. I see it every time I let the dogs into our backyard.
Named in honor of his grandmother's love for bluebirds, owner Nicholas Zimmer uses Instagram to connect with consumers and educate them on plants. A recent Instagram post about basil was a bit shocking for me. Nicholas used the caption to inform his followers of a chronic disease in many of Florida's basil plants. He also offered a good substitute that does well in our part of the country, the African blue basil (see above image).
The box is constructed with salvaged wood from Hurricane Matthew's destruction in October 2016. Mine loaded with five organic herbs: thyme, parsley, marjoram, oregano, and African blue basil. I often use dried parsley and thyme in my cooking, so this combination of plants is perfect.
Can we talk about how cute my little garden looks right now? ;)
Growing up in Maryland, we had rich soil, not the sand I see everywhere here in Florida. It's difficult to grow anything in the stuff without mixing in bags of soil... One of my first years here I planted allium bulbs and never saw a single one poke up out of the ground. Yes, I was watering them... After this had happened, we created raised beds, and things actually started to grow in those.
I'm excited to add this planter into the mix. It's perfect for all of the cold salads I'll be making this summer! You can pick up your own box at one of the three Native Sun Natural Foods Market in Jacksonville, Florida.
How are your gardening skills? Any tips for those of us with thumbs that aren't so green?
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