It all started when I decided to grow some herbs on the deck last year instead of everything in the two raised beds which are given over to herb gardening. They grew very well and it was SO nice having them close by when I was cooking.
So this year when we were late getting the garden planted and I had six wilting swiss chard plantlets needing immediate planting, I decided to "temporarily" plant them in organic soil in a beat up large plastic flower pot. Wow. The things you learn by accident.
Isn't this a beauty? The photo was taken a couple days ago and it has grown more already. I'm going to harvest some of the larger swiss chard leaves this weekend so the smaller chard can receive more sunlight.
I may never plant my swiss chard in the garden again. It never grew this well in the garden. I'm thinking it probably gets more needed sunlight on the deck. Who knew? I do keep it on the extra deck table to keep away from furry little nibblers like the cute squirrels who use the deck as a bridge (we have stairs on each side of the deck).
The chocolate mint didn't winter well but I did plant another one this year. This is what one plant looks like in July!
Here is the oregano. I know it likes sunshine and it definitely loves growing on the porch.
This is a spicy globe basil plant. If you haven't tried growing this, it is beautiful and tasty.
Of course, rosemary grows great on the deck. It loves the heat and sunshine. This is one herb that grows much better on the deck than it did in the garden.
I grew pineapple sage in a container last year and loved it so much, I planted it again this year. I have had it come back the next year when planted in the garden but not in a container. The leaves really do smell and taste like pineapple.
It gets a lovely red bloom that is suppose to attract humming birds (as do the flowers I grow) but it often blooms too late here, the hummingbirds have usually begun their migration.
I may still pop a couple more herbs or veggies in a flowerpot on the deck. There is time...
LINKS
I thought this post on Survival Mom was a very good list for people wanting to stock extra nonfood items in their "pantry"... here.
8 comments:
Loved seeing the plants on your deck! I have herbs in pots on my deck, too, as well as flowers. I also have herbs growing in an old horse trough next to the raised beds that was given to us a couple years ago. They get more sunshine there, but it is definitely handier having them on the deck! However, they grow so much faster and bigger in fresh potting soil that I can hardly keep up with them! I just discovered how large Rosemary can actually grow! (4ft high by 4ft tall) I'm thinking I will eventually need to plant mine in the ground....maybe even in the front flower bed? Maybe I could put my thyme in there, too, alongside my peonies and heather! Hmmm.....something to think about!
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Laura C.(WA)
Your potted plants are wonderful. I have a few things in pots, but pots do not do well in our climate. Our summer becomes very hot and dry and our desert heat just dries them out so very fast. Yours on the other hand look so lush and lovely :)
So glad your container gardening is going so well for you. Your plants appear to be loving your deck. They're beautiful. I also like to sprinkle fresh herbs into our dishes. It is a delicious luxury. Sweet basil is kept on our kitchen windowsill - at the kitchen sink - most of the year where it receives morning sun. It doesn't seem to mind living hydroponically. Your chocolate mint must have a wonderful fragrance and bring flavor to ice tea. Happy 4th. Karen A.
Now I want to plant Swiss chard in a container; yours is looking very healthy.
What a nice discovery to find that your plants do so much better on the deck and that is really so convenient than having them out in the raised beds. Plants look so healthy and full. Thanks for the "deck tour."Blessings, Sharon D.
Love your plants! I have lavender, Italian parsley, and zucchini growing on my deck! So pretty!
Your potted plants are beautiful and look so healthy!
After a busy April-June that didn't allow me much time for blog reading, I'm so happy to be catching up again. Your herbs look gorgeous and delicious, and what a fun surprise that they grow so well closer to the kitchen! I'm not much of a gardener ( <--- understatement of the year), but I do try to grow herbs on my deck every summer, and it's such fun to use them in meals. I have to say, though, that your plants look far healthier and more prolific than mine do, despite the fact that mine get more than enough sun.
I'm so glad to be back to reading my few favorite blogs, and I look forward to keeping up with you again...at least until school starts. :-/
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