Growing Herbs with Simon and Garfunkel

Are you going to scarborough fair? parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine.
Arrangment by Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, 1966

The lyrics of this romantic English folk song were written in the middle ages. This aged song tells the tale of a jilted lover who hopes one day his lover will return to him. The parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme references are intentional, as each herb has a virtue attached that the writer thinks his true love must possess so she can find her way back into his arms;
• Parsley: Removes bitterness in body and spirit
• Sage: Strength
• Rosemary: Feminine love, faithfulness and rememberence
• Thyme: Courage

I love this romantic song, and the lyrics float through my mind each time I pass the potted fresh herbs at Whole Foods Market, or take home one of those pre-packaged herb baggies from the produce aisle at Publix. When a recipe calls for herbs, I prefer fresh hands down, and use them when I can: 1) find them 2) afford them! Truth be told, I'm not actually thinking about the symbolic significance of each herb as I'm gingerly dropping it into my shopping cart, I'm fretting about how EXPENSIVE they are and how they are going to tip the scales on my grocery budget.

The cost has always bugged me, and for that reason, I have usually maintained a fresh herb garden at my home. When I lived in a small apartment in Chicago, I grew the herbs indoors in a small ceramic planter in my kitchen. My first home in Florida had a small postage stamp size backyard, where I grew a variety of herbs on my back patio all together in one large container. Currently, I rent a home in West Palm Beach Florida, on 1.3 acres, with a structure in my backyard perfect for potted plants like fresh herbs and tomatoes. Only one problem, there was nothing growing in it...I was lazy and found it easier to simply complain about the economy and the high cost of produce and fresh herbs.

About a month ago, Mark and I were at The Home Depot searching for an item for the house. The outdoor garden area had just received a shipment of fresh potted herb plants; they looked healthy, and smelled heavenly. Just the night before, Mark and I had been discussing the economic value of growing our own garden (Michelle Obama did it, so could we!) On the spot, we chose 6 plants to take home: Sweet Basil, Tai Basil, curley parsley, rosemary, dill and chives ($3.55 each) some potting soil ($7.29) and 2 long planters ($4.99 each).

We started our herb garden about a month ago and it is still thriving, YEAH!

One week later, Mark and I decided to expand our garden with cilantro and additional parsley (we juice alot and that requires ALOT of parsley!) This time we chose seeds instead of young plants, and we went to Walmart to purchase the items: 2 seed packets ($1.00 each) 1 plastic generic brand plastic container ($4.99) and 1 bag of potting soil ($6.99) NOTE: Don't forget to punch holes in the bottom of the container for drainage.

The seeds germinated as stated on the package, and 10 days later...look what we've got! We'll transplant the seedlings into larger containers in a couple of weeks.

I am very pleased with our fresh herb garden. We have already taken cuttings and used them in soup, a lasagna, and slow cooker recipe....YUMMY! The herbs haven't paid off yet, but in another month or so, our cost will be ZERO DOLLARS and THAT IS A BARGAIN :)

NOTE: We'd like to keep our garden organic, so no chemicals pesticides or insecticides. Does anyone have any suggestions for natural pesticides or insecticides? Contact me and share with us. Thanks!