Edible plants in containers
Recently I was in discussion with fellow Steemians @playfulfoodie and @floridagypsy about gardening and growing vegetables in one’s garden so I decided to share what we have been doing in our garden using containers. Having a severe water shortage this made sense to us, but it is not without it’s challenges.
The irony of the above picture is I bought that expensive hosepipe and mounted it late October. The next day water restrictions were announced from 01 November… no hosepipes may be used in the garden
In pots and containers we have mainly herbs and chilli’s
I confess I do not know exactly which chilli’s these are (my good lady @fempower planted them). The leaves circled top left are from our Curry Tree, extremely difficult to grow in the Western Cape but ours has been thriving for seven years now. Peeping into the picture on the right is a box container full of the herb Basil. Fantastic with pasta sauces, in green salads and many more uses for this tasty herb.
Rosemary, a herb we use a lot of for cooking, specifically with lamb and chicken. One can also steep fresh rosemary in boiling water for 15 minutes and then when the water is cold one can use to rinse one’s hair. It leaves it shiny and soft. The ornamental plants are just companion plants for colour.
More chilli’s of a different type, I believe these are Bullet chillies. We make our own chilli sauces,also dry them and use the dried chillies in curry’s during winter as well as fresh in stews (whole and remove before dishing the food)
Origanum, lovely with tomato, onion and basil served on pasta. Add some chilli and a very healthy tasty Arrabiata sauce is used over freshly cooked pasta. We also put origanum in our leafy salads and in stews.
Mint and celery, this particular plant is ‘spearmint’. Used every day in our cold pressed breakfast juice (apple, cucumber, ginger and mint) a great way to start the day. Mint has a refreshing taste which is great with fruit, ice cream, alcoholic cocktails etc.
Another attempt at growing a lemon tree (pot at right of picture), and so far so good but it has yet to get through the cold wet winter.
These are just some of the plants we have in containers at this time, but on my blog I detail some other ideas for growing plants and vegetables at home.
Thanks for reading!!
This post highlights how plants are so adaptable to many different containers. And we can all make room for a plant tucked here and there -- in containers, if we don't have access to open soil. And during a time of drought, with water restrictions, have our plants close by and easy to water with 'leftover' water from the kitchen or other uses, can work really well. Here's to the end of your drought - soon!
Thanks @haphazard-hstead. true comments. I actually had a photo of the big tub of gray water with which the garden beds are watered..
... did not think it really added value. At the edge of the photo on the rhs one can see the other buckets
Gray water may not be pretty, but it's so useful! We have to think ahead to manage it, but I think your plants show that it is worth it. Don't let that water slosh out of the bucket, lol! ; )
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Hi @themagus, I came to find you and see whether the contentmakers tag was still on your radar. I have been posting there and have set up my votes but I seem to be strangely alone! I am aware that @thegeek is away until Monday.
I liked this post though, as a keen gardener, when I have a garden! As a point of interest, it is illegal to build new homes in Australia now without rain water capture and storage systems and grey water recycling built into the property!
Hope you have some news on contentmakers, I seem to be ploughing a lone furrow!!