Potted Herb Garden

My latest project, in association with my good friend and next-door neighbor Gita, is a potted herb garden. Since we are starting it in the winter, we have to buy a timer for the desk lamp that we intend as supplimental lighting.

Herbs we plan to include:
Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis
Ginger - Zingiber officinale
Nasturtium - Tropaeolum majus
Mint - Mentha sp.
Thyme - Thymus vulgaris
Sweet Basil - Ocimum basilicum
Chives - Allium schoenoprasum
Pot Marigold - Calendula officinalis
Sage - Salvia spp.
Lemon balm - Melissa officinalis
German chamomile - Matricaria recutita
Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia
Coffee - Coffea arabica
Sweet Orange - Citrus sinensis
Dwarf Pomegranate - Punica granatum'Nana'

Status report:
10/28/99 - We have so far collected the seeds for mint, thyme, nasturtiums, chives, and morning glories; the first four from Alena and the last from Gita's house. The supplies are for the most part purchased, the pots and paints await our creative endeavours this weekend (we decided to paint our terra cotta pots with acrylic paints before planting in them.) Alena and Lydia are both willing to drive us to local nurseries and garden centers to get ahold of the more difficult ones to cultivate, like Rosemary and Lavender. I think Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) might be a good kind to grow after reading about it in "Country Living Gardener" which I picked up on impulse in K-Mart. How tacky! But it was fun to read this once.

10/31/99 - All right! We got a lot done this weekend. We bought rosemary, lavender, parsley and sweet basil seeds, peas, and ginger root. I sent away for several gardening catalogues over the internet, and we painted our pots so they have beautiful designs on them. Going to get soil from the Plant House soon. (Oh, how I love being a horticulture student!)

11/5/99 - Planting Day! Gita and I planted our herbs today. We soaked the peas, morning glory and parsley seeds before planting.

11/15/99 - I ordered some more seeds. Everything has sprouted except for the Chives; even the Rosemary and Lavendar!! We ordered more chives, also sage, chamomile, calendula, violets, alpine strawberries, and lemon balm. The nasutiums are getting so big! We need to figure out some way to stake or cage the vining plants. Also, the garden moved down behind the refrigerator this weekend, so we can have two lights on it. The phototropism was getting to me.

4/30/00 - Final Report before graduation: We successfully grew parsley, caledula, violets, garlic, potatos, and chives. Everything else died for one reason or another, or never sprouted. I found that I was particularly good at killing rosemary, having succeeded in the demise of three seperate pots of it. Still, the growing experience of all this was worth it. I think Gita has a sage plant in her room that's still alive. Few of these plants work well as houseplants, since they need more sun. Still, it was loads of fun!