It’s been on my bucket list for years. I used to say–when I get in my 50’s I’ll learn how not to kill plants. Anybody else living with that secret desire to get rid of your black thumb and trade it in for a green one?
Well 50 is just a half a year away–so it’s time.
Yes, I have grown rosemary before and basil with Zach’s help. But this year, we decided to go all in–a variety of herbs all at the same time.
Ben and I originally thought we would make a raised bed herb garden. But the more research we did over the winter months, we discovered that some herbs like a little shade, and some like the full sunshine. We also found out that a couple that I wanted to plant would take over the whole raised bed if it wasn’t contained. So we decided to go with individual containers.
We were on a beautiful roll, and then I made the discovery that some of my plants really do need the shade more than others. Each plant came with a tag telling me how much sunlight they needed–but I guess my judgment of amount of daylight and the tags judgment may differ. I managed to revive those plants and now all but one is thriving again. I may have actually killed the English Thyme–but only time will tell. (pun intended-Ha!)
Then my husband made an absolutely brilliant discovery. Our Ninja Air Fyer also has a dehydrator setting. I had been researching how to harvest and dry herbs, and Ben tells me that we have dehydrate setting on the Ninja. Let me explain how easy this has been. I simply cut or pick the herbs, wash them, pat them dry, throw them into the air fryer, set the machine for dehydrator and voila–3 to 4 hours later, dried herbs ready to be stored. And–BIG SCORE–it is quiet while it dehydrates. Not so much while it air fries. (Just a FYI–I do not make any royalties from any brands at this time. I’m just sharing what works for us as a family.–Not slamming those that do either. )
I’ve got plans to make organic herbal soaps in the fall. I’ve been wanting to try this anyways–and now I will be able to use our own pesticide free herbs to use with the soaps. I CAN NOT WAIT!
My friends Julie and Tonya–2 of my WooHoo friends aka girls that go to the beach every year, hang out and craft together, and just have fun girlfriends, called me in the spring to come to their house. They knew I wanted to learn to “grow things” so they decided to share some of their goodies. We spent the afternoon splitting ferns, re-potting plants, and digging up some other plants–which I now can not name to be planted at our house. So far, they are all thriving. So thanks to these girlies who have been helping me join the “green thumb club”. I hope to remain a member.
What’s on your spring bucket list? Share with me some of your fun pursuits. If you haven’t made any spring plans–it’s not too late.
Love,
