Gardening didn’t start off as “my thing”. It was something I picked up after years and years of watching my mom, stealing her hard earned strawberries, and following behind her with little gloves and a trowel in hand. As I grew up and moved out on my own, I started to miss those hours with her. It never dawned on me at the time that it was anything other than a chore, but now? Now I realize it was and continues to be one of her greatest outlets and joys. And every year it has become a greater joy of mine.

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Each year, about March, I get really excited about the future prospects of gardening and start thinking about what herbs and veggies I will be putting in the containers lining my balcony. Being in an apartment I have to be economical and plan carefully. And because I’m one of the most impatient people you may ever meet, starting my own plants can also prove challenging. Burpee Home and Garden plants comes to the rescue with plant starts in every variety imaginable, from heirlooms, to hybrids, to sun-loving tomatoes, to cool weather tolerant basil – it was all there.

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My favorite herbs for the year include thyme and basil. I got myself Lemon Thyme and Nufar Basil from Burpee Home Gardens. They are so versatile in my kitchen, providing so many new and fresh aromas. The Lemon Thyme plant grows up to 15 inches. Its rich, lemon-scented leaves are good fresh or dried in salads, soups, stews, sauces, and meat or fish dishes. The Nufar Basil plant grows up to 30 inches. It is a sweet Genovese type that produces the most flavor-packed leaves ever. This high-yielding plant has big, dark green, textured leaves that are great for pesto, tomato dishes, salads and more. Count on season-long performance against a wide range of Fusarium wilts.

And since this is the first year I have a south facing balcony, I picked up a few extra vegetables that would require a little added sunlight.

As soon as I had my plants picked out, I set about planting them in my containers, loosening up the roots, just like my mom had taught me and tucking the plants in to their new home. So far, they’re thriving. All of them.

And just like that, gardening came full circle, another season, another experience, and another chance to connect with the dirt and realizing what my mom already knew – being in the garden is a wonderful way to spend the day. Do you garden?  What does it mean to you?  Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win $100 American Express gift card to get started on your own dreamy garden! So start gardening now by visiting Burpee Home Gardens and find a store near you! 

 

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