Windowsill herb garden

After many (failed) attempts at growing herbs in the front window boxes (not enough sunlight out there), I finally found a better home for them inside on a sunny windowsill in the kitchen.

First up we have rosemary. This is the most low-maintenance plant ever. Loves dry and sunny places and looks and smells like a miniature Christmas tree. I use it in most baked dishes (like chicken pot pie, pork roast... yum).

Next comes oregano, great for all things Italian. Isn't this the most beautiful oregano you've ever seen?? The leaves are soft and fuzzy.

German thyme - great for fall cooking. It kind of looks like an afro right now...

I love using peppermint in smoothies, desserts, coffee and homemade tea. It has a wonderful soothing effect on your tummy and digestive tract...

And finally the basil... it's been a battle to keep these little guys alive. I planted THREE rounds of basil outside, only to discover three times some animal had eaten all of my baby seedlings overnight. Finally, I wised up and started them inside...

I've also got lavender randomly growing out by the garden. Not sure why it didn't make it in the house... but the lavender is doing a great job at attracting beneficial bees to my veggies. I'm going to try a lavender tea cookie recipe... can't wait.

Fun with Squash: The guessing game

I currently have five (i think) types of squash plants growing in the garden. They are all currently growing like weeds and bursting through the garden fence and into the rest of the yard.

 

Three of the plants I'm sure are zucchini squash - "Cocozelle" to be precise. They're a different variety of zucchini and have beautiful light green stripes on the fruit.

I'm pretty sure one of the plants is a butternut squash. This one has been growing horizontally, latching on to other plants with it's tentacle like feelers and taking half of the garden hostage. But I do love butternut squash soup...

Teeny Tiny Butternut

This is the mystery squash. I think this one came from my coworker, Sherri, and I originally thought it was an acorn squash. It grows more vertical, like the zucchini. But there's a cylinder-shaped squash that appeared overnight - looks nothing like an acorn squash. Sherri said it might even turn out to be a canteloupe or watermelon. We shall see... what fun!