I JUST discovered something magical and I am quite addicted.
After discovering my partner's mom had left some unused soil and manure, I decided that I needed to use them as they only take space on our already crowded shed.
The only gardening I had experience with was in school.
There was another time I had cut off a piece of branch of Jasmine from our neighbor's plant and this has now fully grown in our home in Manila.
The Jasmine must be at least 15 years old. I had help though in planting it.
This time, I had to do all repotting on my own.
I felt very responsible for raising new life.
I started with kitchen scraps that I read could grow from just putting them in a bowl of water.
I started with celery stalks. In two weeks, the celery stalks were already growing leaves.
That was the positive push I needed to try another one.
This time, our kitchen scraps of green onions were my next project.
I put them in tall glass bottles of strawberry jams that we have used up.
Literally, you only need water and sun.
In a few weeks, the stalk started to grow roots and sprout green leaves. I was elated. I had no idea a sign of life could get me so excited.
From these two small victories, I went to get myself some Mojito mint and Lemon Balm herb plants.
I read that the mint plant is indestructible so if you want to start your own herb garden, these are the plants to go to who are not so sensitive.
I discovered though that the lemon balm cannot take too much heat. Put them on the coffee table where they can get some sun while I went away for work.
One day, I came home to a burnt lemon balm plant. I think it could not take the heat.
Before that though, I had taken a cutting from this lemon balm plant and waited for the roots to grow.
I put it in a small bottle with water and after a month, the roots started coming out.
I planted it with my own hands on a plastic pot with my mom in law's soil and it has been two months now. So far, it is growing to more branches and is enjoying full sun.
I do not understand how the mother lemon balm plant could fry from staying indoors by the window while the baby cutting that grew into the plant that has been just outside directly under the heat has grown.
I guess there is still so much to learn.
I now have a standing planter which I got from a new friend and I have better days watering them as they are upright planters.
I do not have to bend down anymore. From the celery, green onions and mint, I now have in my herb planter more plants such as tomatoes, cilantro, tarragon, chocolate mint, oregano, thyme, lemon grass, sage and catnip.
I was able to grow plants from cuttings that i put in bottle with fresh water (change every 3 days) until they grew roots and i transplanted them to the soil.
The soil that articles suggested were a mix of potting soil with a bit of fertilizers. I did not put fertilizers in there yet and will see what will happen.
Tomatoes are best grown from seeds and so is cilantro. Please note that different herbs have different sun and water requirements.
It is a learning process.
I suggest read up a lot to learn more.
I have had to deal with aphids (those nasty insects who love plants and suck the life out of them) and still learning on how to grow them.
I started in May so my #plantita days are approaching three months now. So far, so good. I am capable of bringing life to this world, and helping bees flourish.
I guess for now that is my contribution to the world.
Try it yourself today and you will not regret it.
On a side note, gardening takes a lot of time as well-just consider it as your exercise and growing your knowledge of the world.
Life, in any form, is extremely magical and with gardening, you get to experience that first hand.
Follow me on twitter @missheiding
Instragram@missheiding
Blog-Sunstar.com.ph