Rooted Heart Garden

April can be so many things to a (zone 6) gardener.

Predictable is NOT one of them.

One thing I do know is that we’re often welcomed first by these spring edibles 💜

🌱Chives, thyme, sage and oregano are hardy perennials in zone 6. They grow in a perennial herb bed, close to my house for easy access.

🌱Violas are cool weather annuals. If allowed to go to seed they will reseed themselves, returning again each spring.

🌱Wild violets grow all over our suburban property. The amount varies each year but we pick as any as we can!

After a long winter these flavors, colors and textures bring me life!

Welcoming the days of fresh herb butters, decorative breads, infused vinegars, or just adding flavor and a pop of color to a meal.

If you’re just planning a garden for the first time, consider how you can plant perennials or have space to reseed themselves for the following year.

👉How many of these herbs and flowers are in your current or soon to be gardens?!

💜💜💜

Do you intentionally grow as may colors as possible? I sure as hell do.

Give me every color, texture, flavor 🙌

For the senses.

For the nutrients.

For the beauty.

Give me a 💜💚💙💛🧡❤️ if you’re growing a rainbow this year?!

🌱🌱🌱

Wrapping up the culinary herbs I’ll have in the garden this year and remembering what I use them for. This is how I garden plan🌿

1️⃣What will I make?

2️⃣How much do I need?

3️⃣Will I be able to preserve enough to last until the following season?

🌱Basil- pesto, caprese salad, basil bombs, sauce

🌱Oregano- pizza, vinaigrette, sauce

🌱Thyme- soups, herb butter, medicine, cleaning vinegars

🌱Terragon- tempeh salad, tomato soup

🌱Mint- mojitos, tabbouleh, tea

🌱Rosemary- focaccia, roasted veggies, herb butter

🌱Dill- dips, spanakopita, potato salad

🌱Sage- breads, roasted squash, butter

🌱Cilantro- salsa, sauces, tacos, salads

🌱Parsley- tabbouleh, salads, butter

🌱 Lemon Balm- tea, medicine, vinegars, pesto

🌱Chives- everything!

These are my have-to-have herbs 🙌

I love adding some fun new varieties each year too!

How many of these are you growing this year?

💚💚💚

It is most definitely time to make sure you have your seeds for your 2022 garden!

A few reminders to prevent becoming overwhelmed and broke during garden planning and seed buying season -

💚 Grow what you eat! Don’t waste time, money or space if you’re not going to eat it.

💜 Add something beautiful. Edible flowers typically win this one in my garden.

💙 Try something new. Even just one thing to spark curiosity and growth.

🧡 Start small. You can always add more! Or purchase starts from other gardeners or garden centers.

💛 Read all the growing info BEFORE buying. Make sure you’re prepared for any indoor growing and that the seeds are right for your growing zone. Know if it needs to be trellised or if it can be grown in containers, etc.

These reminders help me stay focused, fed and still have fun!

How about you? Do you consider any of these things when buying seeds or planning the garden?

💚💚💚