This week
Basil finally took off
After three sad weeks it decided to live. The trick, apparently, was moving it a hand's width closer to the glass and watering less, not more. Pinched the tops today so it bushes out instead of bolting.
A small journal about growing things on a city balcony — herbs, greens, and the occasional stubborn tomato.
After three sad weeks it decided to live. The trick, apparently, was moving it a hand's width closer to the glass and watering less, not more. Pinched the tops today so it bushes out instead of bolting.
Everyone says you need a big container. Maybe. But the little balcony variety is setting fruit anyway, tied to a bamboo cane and turned toward the sun every couple of days. We'll see who's right by August.
Every spring I forget which greens liked the shade and which sulked. So: lettuce and mint by the north rail, thyme and rosemary where the light is hardest. Next year's me will thank this paragraph.