The weather in Chicago has finally gotten warm enough to start gardening ! When springtime comes, whenever I’m in any hardware store I make a point to walk through the garden section even if I’m not looking to buy anything. Looking at flowers and herbs just makes me happy. And now because its Spring I can actually buy some! I’ve spent the last two weekends setting up this year’s balcony garden and am now enjoying the sites and scents.
Each year I learn something new about gardening – I figure out which plants work, which don’t work together, and which are the most fragrant. That’s what I love about gardening — you learn through trial and error. The plants speak to you, just not with words, and you have to use your powers of observation to make them happy. I remember my first year of gardening I was so excited and bought a ton of sun loving flowers only to discover that my balcony gets just a few hours of sunshine a day and it wasn’t enough to keep the flowers blooming. The year after that I learned my lesson and shifted to shade loving plants and herbs.
Here are some pics from this years balcony garden – flowers include:
- Blooming impatiens
- Vinca
- Boston ferns
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Chive
- Parsely
- Basil
- Sweet Mint
- Peppermint
- Blue Lobelia
My favorite are the pink double blooming impatiens — I’m not a great lover of pink, but even I have to admit they are a cheerful sight to see when I look out my window. The last item I need is some lighting – does anyone have suggestions for durable garden string lights? I’m in the market!
