Tiered Lettuce and Herb Garden

Can you imagine, I am now offering suggestions?…That’s because I’ve been doing my research. I may still be feeling my way through the backyard Posh Farm but there are many low hanging fruits which I am intent on enjoying.

I’ll continue with this idea (and corresponding photos) that I found on Vintage Wren. The site is quickly becoming one of my favourites – thevintagewren.blogspot.com. The idea is very similar to the one-pot herb garden. This however allows for more variety in your ‘produce’ if there are variations in soil type and treatment. It also gives dimensions to your ‘farm’. I’ve outlined some steps below which should help you create your own Posh Farm!

Sweet basil, Artemesia “Satiny” wormwood & Lavender

Start off with three different size tubs. In Carrie’s garden she used 16.75 gallon tub at the bottom,  4.5 gallon tub in the middle and a 10 quart bucket at the top (remember to bore holes in the bottom of the containers).

Lettuce

She started with lettuce (romaine and curly leaf) in the bottom tub.

Romaine lettuce, Sweet basil & Artemesia “Satiny” wormwood

She added basil to the second tub and lavender in the top bucket.

Cilantro & Lemon Balm

She also added other herbs for colour in-between the basil and lavender.

Oregano, Cilantro, Parsley & Thyme

It’s up to you to decide what herbs and vegetables you want to plant; but whatever you do,

ENJOY BEING A POSH FARMER!

One-Pot Herb Garden

My muscles still ache from my transplanting experience but I remain excited. I checked on the transplanted seedlings this morning and they are doing just fine. It’s interesting how the simple things can highlight how much of this life is centred around our health and survival. The sore muscles help to solidify the need to take my exercise seriously. I really thought I was fit. I exercise and eat right but this farming experience is taking my fitness routine to a new level.

Anyway, this week I am sharing from one of my favourite sites again – http://www.apartmenttherapy.com. This is another small space solution and is provides details on starting that flower-farm substitution.

It’s not very difficult to grow things like basil and thyme indoor or on a patio. It requires a big flower pot (or a recycled tub – remember the old-time wash pans). Add some potting soil and your selected herb seeds or seedlings and you have the beginning of a posh farm. Place the pot in a sunny area near a window or on a patio and you will only need to remember to water it as needed.

Here are the steps:

Choosing the Container: Start with a large flower pot, about 7  gallons. Make sure the top is very wide and don’t forget to punch holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain.

Wash pan     Planter

Choosing the herbs: Start with vegetables and cooking herbs – escallion, sage, sweet basil, thyme etc. They grow to different sizes and heights which add dimension (can’t forget the aesthetics); sage and escallion grow tall, basil is more bushy and thyme is a creeper, growing close to the ground.  As we are all novices, I would recommend that we try with seedlings as against seeds.Fill the pot up with soil, stopping about 3 inches from the top. Moisten the soil lightly but thoroughly with water and mix it until evenly wet. It shouldn’t be dripping wet – just loosely muddy.

Dig a small hole, deep down. Remove one of the seedling from the container. Gently loosen the soil around its roots. You don’t want to tear the roots apart – just loosen them up a bit. Put in the hole and pack about an inch of dirt over top of the root ball. Repeat for the other plants, giving them several inches of room between each other. Water again when finished.

Water and sun – Put the pot on a drainage tray. Place anywhere it can get full sun. Don’t overwater; pour in a cup of water wherever and whenever leaves look droopy.

NOTE: For cooking, cut leaves and stems off the tops first – not the sides.

Happy Posh Farming!