Monday, July 12, 2010

I be a farmer




My husband and I decided to grow a few plants on our balcony this year.  The above is the pepper that we will be getting to harvest!  We are delighted.  I haven't been much of a gardener in the past.  I've killed one to many avocado plants in my day.  But there is something about seeing something recognizable and edible grow. 

...even if it's just one little guy.  Peppers can be expensive.

(the orange stick is a pencil, it rained too hard last week and knocked them over, so he's holding them up)

We also have oregano and basil...

Okay, I confess, I have no idea which one is which above.  Any gardeners out there?  Help please?
All I know is that the dried basil in my kitchen is running out (too many homemade pizzas), but having planted oregano and basil, I lost track of which I planted where.  And those little guys on the bottom don't seem to be very fruitful anyway.

So really, if any of you have any tips, it would be much appreciated.  I'm guessing the big guy is the basil.  Am I just supposed to pull of the leaves?  How do I use it?


-Becka (who is really hoping there is someone out there who knows a little more about herbs than she does)

12 comments:

andreamichelle said...

I Think (not sure) that the big plant is Basil. according to the pictures I googled, oregano should have smaller rounder leaves. You just clip the leaves, cut them up and mix them in your dish. Basil goes really well with chiken or pasta dishes. I use it with pepper, salt, pepper and garlic. Oregano is really good in Mexican food, I haven't used it as much as Basil (I love baisl), but I did use it in Enchiladas the other day and it was Really good. Good luck with your gardening.

Marie said...

Growing anything in an apt can be tough so way to go on your pepper! I think you have basil from what I remember of herb gardening. I tried it once, but never found ways to use 1/2 of what I grew...

The Rowleys said...

I use fresh basil to make a pesto sauce and then freeze the portions. Pesto is a great rub, or even plain on noodles. I think I used walnuts instead of pinenuts for monetary purposes and it turned out just as good.

Maria said...

I love peppers too! well done!

MelRoXx said...

The plants look amazing! xxx

liz said...

you are cracking me up! yes, basil are the big leaves! i often have fresh basil when i'm not planning a dish that i can use it, so i let it dry up and then chop it up and save it for later in a ziploc baggie.

Papgena Made It said...

i like tu put fresh basil in salads! And I have it on my balcony, too!
It's so fun seeing it grow!

Ms. Understood said...

That pepper looks scrumptious!!! Sounds like you got good advice on which is which. I would not have been able to help. I kill just about everything I plant other than cacti and bamboo plants.

Kristina Churchill said...

Just stopped by again, Love that pepper, with a little Ranch Dressing it will be delicious!

Have a good day or should I say night,

Kristina

Pati @ A Crafty Escape said...

Good job, everything looks great!

My name is Becka said...

Thank you thank you thank you!

These comments are the best advice ever! Would you believe that when I first read Kristina's note about how yummy the pepper would be with ranch dressing I got protective about the little guy. For half of a split second the though went through my mind, "eat him! how could I eat him!"

haha, don't worry, he'll be stuck in a dish some day.

Mary Catherine said...

I have a small garden in the back of my house! I have to laugh because I had a hard time eatting my first raddish! I was so proud it actually grew!!

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