2 New Boxes

4x4 SFGs

DH helped me build 2 new boxes this year - the one in the foreground is 10″ deep and the one in the back is 12″ deep. All but one square has been planted with tomatoes. I had trouble figuring out how to stake tomatoes - having only grown a few small varieties before I had no idea how wildly they would grow. I used bamboo stakes - which fall over. Tying them together to create a cage seems to help. A local nursery had mel’s mix for sale, at about $10 a bag - a costly way to fill the boxes but very time saving. I have to say it is better than my own attempts, and I think it must be because of the superior compost in the commercial mix. My tomatoes love it. I have also fertilized with Alaskan Fish Fertilizer - they love that too.

Herb SFG Box

Above is my original SFG box - or rather boxes - 4 2×2s. Right now I am just growing some herbs it it - aloe vera, lavender, chamomile, rosemary, peppermint, chives and garlic. All of these are medicinal herbs - although they can also be used for seasoning - except the aloe vera. Yes, even lavender is great for cooking.

Here is one of my alltime favorite herbal teas, made amazing with fresh herbs from the garden:

Peppermint Chamomile AKA “Tummy Mint”

Place some chopped mint leaves and crushed chamomile flowers into a mesh tea infuser in a mug. Pour boiling water over and cover. Steep 15 minutes, stir herbs and press into tea infuser - lift infuser out, add honey and drink. This is a super tasty tea - the chamomile softens the mint a bit and both herbs are amazing for stomach upsets, stress and digestion.