When I decided not to grow as many vegetables, I turned one of my four raised beds into an herb garden. I must admit, I have an unusual relationship with herbs. I love growing them, but rarely use them.
I used to feel guilty for not preserving or cooking with the herbs, and for some years I did try. But honestly, now I grow them simply because I love their textures and fragrance.
To me, they rival any flower in my garden. It is simply a different kind of beauty that consists totally of textures and fragrance.
Even parsley is beautiful in flower.
Years ago, when I was a beekeeper, my sister painted this sweet sign for me. It is painted on slate and is so old, the paint is getting chippy and faded. I intended to touch it up, but never really got around to it this summer. Part of me likes it old looking, but it is getting fairly difficult to read.
Long ago, the sign broke in half under the words “Bees and Me”, and has been glued to another piece of slate for reinforcement. It is a sign I cherish and want to last forever.
When I started the garden this spring, the plants all seemed so small, but every garden feels that way at the beginning. It’s hard to believe how after just a few months, they have all grown together, covering the ground and all the name tags.
This low-growing variegated thyme is even trying to climb over the wood edge.
Small though it is, I find there to be something very soothing and peaceful about my herb garden . . . always pleasing to the eye and pleasant to the nose.
Maybe someday I’ll get around to using my herbs in meals. But until then, when I sit and relax in the garden, they simply bring me joy.
Linking today with Jaipur Garden for the Garden Affair party.
Beautiful Herb Garden ! This is so relatable as even I don’t consume them much but still grow them in my garden. Although I enjoy making Falafel using parsley. It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/10/garden-affair-succulents-world.html
Thank you for your kind comment and for the invitation to join your link party.
I’ve only had Falafel once and can’t totally remember what it tastes like, except that maybe I didn’t like it much. I will have to give it another try since I love growing parsley.
I love herbs too, Cindy, although only the rosemary routinely gets used in cooking in cooking here. I do use herbs periodically in flower arrangements though!
I know I should learn to use them more often. I often do the same thing with other vegetables. I think I love growing them more than using them, except for tomatoes and zucchini. I think that’s why I cut back on my vegetable beds and use them for flowers, herbs, and raspberries now. Maybe when I retire and have more time I will have the time to use what I grow.
I love herbs Cindy and am glad you are enjoying your own herb garden. Parsley, rosemary, sage and chives are probably the ones I use most, and I have many I also just grow for their aroma or flowers, like lemon thyme or borage. 😃
Thanks for linking up with Garden Affair.
Hi Cindy, I love herbs too and use them a lot for cooking, making tea etc. As you say they’re as beautiful as any flower and so useful too. It’d be nice to have a small formal garden dedicated just to them but for now they mingle with veg and flowers. Among my favourites are Rosemary ‘Boule’ of which I shall cuttings soon and cinammon basil. We regularly make fromage frais with herbs and dandelions, it’s delicous. Happy October days in your garden, Annette