Well, I’ve made the move from downtown condo living to a more central flat style dwelling with a patio and a BBQ!!.  So now that I have my own grill, I’m bound and determined to season my newly broadened menu with home grown herbs. 

Although I’m faced with a late start to the growing season, there are lots of places to find healthy plants to bring home and transplant.  I found beautiful organic mint and basil from Shubie River Vineyards in both the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market and the Historic Farmers Market, Halifax, NS.

I also found thyme, rosemary, golden oregano, sage, parsley, a tomato plant and a pepper plant at a local home gardening store.  Some great ideas to consider are using herbs as natural pesticides and companion planting.  For example, planting basil next to a tomato plant will enrich your tomatoes with a hint of basil flavoring.  Also, if you’re using one large container for a variety of herbs, consider their watering and sunlight needs and group those with similar requirements together. 

Most of all, enjoy your urban garden!  Herbs are impressively resilient and can find a way to flourish in a variety of environments and conditions! 

By Julie Hallett