Herb garden magic
My writer’s nook sits at the back of the RUC. It’s a lovely little covered veranda with beautiful views of the mountains and sugar cane fields.
I love gardening and pottering around the 5 acre yard searching for fresh fruit and vegies, but I’ve been spending so much time writing my novels lately (yes – YAY) that I began to feel a little disconnected from the garden. My solution? Plant some herbs on the sill of the writer’s nook.
The picture below is what I now see when I look up from my computer screen (without the words, of course)…
…and when I look to my left I see this
Are you wondering how they’re growing up so high?
I took the following photo from outside
I bought some metal planters from the hardware shop, screwed them onto the timber wall outside and then sat the herb pots inside them. Cool! 😀
The writer’s nook is next to the kitchen (hmm, handy!) so when I’m cooking I can just grab some as I go.
And the smell is AMAZING!
Do you use herbs or have any herb cooking tips for me?
Have a great week!
Dianne Gray author 
Beautiful scenery. I’d love to have a writer’s nook like this some day. 🙂
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It’s just beautiful and I love it. I’m a real ‘distance gazer’ when I’m thinking about stories (which is probably why I was always getting into trouble at school for not listening!), so this is perfect for me 😀
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A great idea, Dianne. I bet they smell yummy. The cane is really tall.
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It’s very tall, John and hopefully it will cut soon. I’ll video the harvesting because it’s amazing to watch!
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Mr. Craves is the herb gardener and he loves his rosemary, thyme and oregano. He mainly uses the herbs for protein marinades. I am the veggies gardener. Happy Gardening – Happy July 🙂
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Protein marinades sound wonderful 😀 I’ve got more herbs to plant (I’m waiting for the coriander to emerge) and am thinking of putting planters on the other verandas as well! 😉
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Nice! It’s great having fresh herbs at the ready when cooking.
Mint Juleps are a great drink for summer time on the veranda . . . AFTER you’re done writing for the day. I love fresh basil on pizza, in spaghetti sauce, and in pesto. Potatoes with chopped parsley are yummy. I don’t do much with sage ~ I tend to lean more to rosemary or thyme.
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Oh yes, bourbon is a very nice drink indeed so I’ll be looking at that mint julep recipe 😀
I put fresh basil on my toasted ham, cheese, tomato sandwich yesterday and it was REALLY nice 😉 I’ve never thought of putting parsley on potatoes, but will try that tonight for dinner. Thank you, Nancy – YUM!
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This recipe has a good photo of the finished product:
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/parsley-potatoes/7c2d0a0e-1f79-4d0b-8bb4-28c38099545d
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Yay – thank you! 😀
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Very inventive! And what beautiful views! I’m so envious.
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I may have to get back into painting so I can put the views to canvas while I’m sitting here! 😀
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You paint, too??
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I used to in my (much) younger years, but really haven’t had the time for a while. I’d love to get into it again 😀
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I was telling my husband about your renovated RUC the other day. He was as impressed with your process as I was!
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Awww – thank you, Carrie! 😀 I’m sure the entire story would make a great movie one day – it’s had everything from betrayal to breakdowns to freakish accidents to love to hate and to ghosts! It’s certainly been a wild journey to say the least 😀
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Is there no end to your creativity, Dianne? If I had that view, I would never leave the nook.
Yes, I love herbs and use them often…unfortunately, they’re store bought. 😦
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!
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The climate really helps, Jill. It’s winter here at the moment but this means it’s just warm, not stinking hot (lol). Many plants can grow here all year round, so it’s the ideal place to grow pretty much anything (apart from stone fruit). I’m really glad you like the photos, I’m learning more about photography every day! 😉
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Keep up with the photography, Dianne…you’re very talented. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing, what a view!
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lovely view Dianne! I imagine the smell from those herbs is invigorating 🙂 Since I write in the kitchen I try to keep citrus around because it keeps me awake 😀
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I didn’t know that the smell of citrus keeps you awake. I must try it! The other good thing about the herbs is they keep the flies away – YAY! 😉
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I have heard that mint is particularly good for keeping the flies away. What about the mozzies?
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We haven’t had mozzies for a while and I don’t know if it’s the herbs or the fact that the weather has cooled. It’ll be interesting to see what happens in summer time 😉
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Down in Cairns, where my folk are, they have to live behind screens all the time.
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We’re only a few ks south of Cairns and mozzies in the summer are just awful (and I’m constantly looking for ways to keep them away so I don’t get dengue fever)
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My sister’s house/property has been part of a dengue prevention research programme. She has a mosquito trap at her place which is regularly monitored. Apparently, the authorities now think dengue or the dengue carriers are completely defunct in her area.
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R gave me a coupe of herbs in pots. I love the smell of them, and I use them on my food when possible.
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The should grow really well in Florida, Theo 😀
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I’m in love with your writer’s nook, and think your spice heaven is just, well, heaven. When we had the acres for a large garden, I loved cutting the basil and bringing it inside in a vase; the entire kitchen and living room smelled like fresh nature for days.
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perfect idea on so many levels 🙂
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I totally agree 😉
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You have a lovely outlook, literally and figuratively 🙂 Very clever to add value to your work space and kitchen locale with the herbs 🙂 Also, the blinds look interesting – can I ask did you make or buy them?
Because our city apartment balcony is so grimy we only grow hardy stuff like succulents and geraniums, but so desperate am I to grow something I bought a kid’s Jamie’s Garden kit from Woolies and amused myself on Sunday morning assembling it, including the stickers, but because it’s a tiny little plastic greenhouse with a lid, I’m reasoning it will keep the rail ballast off the herbs, assuming they grow!
At Taylors Arm in the gardens we have hardy edible stuff – rampant mint, oregano, lemon balm, thyme, parsley in a pot which has probably gone to seed & spread, a Bay tree and Holy Basil the size of a shrub. Holy Basil is a lot hardier than normal basil which usually quickly bug food. I will replant more sage, as I love it in chicken stuffing, but the G.O. isn’t fond of it… “not too much of that green stuff”. I love wandering around to snip a bit of this and that for flavouring or a salad/salsa garnish.
As far as uses, my favourite is to chop a bag of tomatoes, onions and/or garlic & a bunch of basil and put it into the slow cooker to make sauce.
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I saw a Jamie’s Garden kit last week when I was shopping. I wanted buy it, but then thought ‘do’h! I already have enough!’ lol. Best of luck with yours and let me know how it goes 😀
The pull down blinds I bought from Bunnings – I really need them because the sun comes through in the afternoon (in winter).
One of my favourites to eat when I go out for breakfast (which is rare these days now I’m not living in the city) is bruschetta – now I’ve got all the ingredients growing in my garden (except garlic at the moment) I’m going to start making my own (like your slow cooker recipe) 🙂
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Love your writing nook. It would be mildly disturbing if those words were just floating there in your view all day. 😉
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I’d really worry about what was growing in those posts if I saw those words floating past (LOL)! 😀
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What a wonderful idea….the smells must be inspiring!
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The smell is wonderful. For some reason when I water them in the afternoons they release a huge dose of beautiful smells. Fantastic! 😀
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Ok, that does it! I’m visiting you! LOL I love fresh herbs. Just experiment with them, that’s what I do. And fresh parsley on potatoes are really good, as is fresh basil if you want a bit of an Italian flavor.
I don’t use sage much as it upsets my stomach, but I love the smell of it. I love dill too.
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I’ll have to plant some dill – I’ve got coriander coming up, I love that but many people don’t like the strong flavour. My mother-in-law wants rosemary so I’ll have to find another place to plant that because those bushes can grow pretty big! 😀
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Basil is amazing in tomato sauce & mint livens up some tea. This looks so cozy, Dianne! I want to visit!
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Mint tea! I hadn’t thought of that – I’m going to make some right now 😀 You’re welcome any time 😀
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Every picture you post just looks so relaxing now. All of that hard work definitely paid off, my dear.
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The whole thing was totally crazy last year and I never thought I’d relax – how times change 😉
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Well you certainly deserve every bit of it. 🙂
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Thank you xxxx
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♥
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You’ve made a lovely view even more interesting. Our herbs are scattered in various beds on the ground.
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I’m also building a vegie garden for my father-in-law who has had a stroke and can’t bend down. I’ve used some old tables over in the shed and put them in the garden with pots on them so he can pick the vegetables without bending. It’s been hard work, but I’m loving it! 😀
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What a gorgeous writer’s nook. Also, I am admiring the little trailers (on the sidebar) you have made for your books. Very effective.
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Oh – thank you! They were my first attempts at movie trailers and I’m so glad you’re enjoying them! 😀
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Did you do them yourself, then? I think it’s an excellent idea.
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Yes – I used Animoto which is free if you don’t go over 30 seconds. But 30 seconds isn’t really long enough so I paid the yearly subscription (about $34) and made longer ones, then put them on Youtube. I had so much fun making them and would love to do some more 🙂
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That’s very reasonable. Have you featured a trailer on one of your posts?
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I did do a post sometime in March when I first started practicing with them and put a couple up there – people really seemed to like them.
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Ah, I found the post. Great!
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Oh sorry! I didn’t know you were looking for it. I should have put in a link! I’m so glad you’re interested in them 😀
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I am a curious critter….I found a few others of interest along the way. 😀
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Excellent! 😉
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I love cilantro and Bruce does not. I would put cilantro in everything but alas – I must be political. I’m with you on having the herbs in pots or planters very close to the kitchen. I do parsley – reseeds itself and goes for a couple of years – dill, basil, cilantro, chives nearby. Then further off we have scads of mint, oregano, lemon balm, and thyme. I think I love the perennial herbs the best of all. I have some pretty decent lavender these days, as well. I totally love your writing space. The views are gorgeous.
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It sounds like you’re a woman after my own heart, Francis! Cilantro is something I love by my daughter can’t stand it and neither can my best friend – they say it makes their mouths go numb. You’ve reminded me that I must plant chives. I’m also building a garden outside for my father-in-law who has had a stroke and finds it hard to bend down. I’ve put the garden on old tables so he can reach everything easily. It’s been an exciting venture (and great exercise!) 😀
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I’ve always wanted a window herb garden, chives, parsley, basil,thyme..the list goes on.yours looks beautiful and handy. Mint tea..Mojitos , mint and sliced lemon in cold iced water, so many possibilities. xxx
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It’s very handy indeed, Jen – now I just have to plant those chives 😉 xxxx
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I love fresh herbs, and intend to make a little herb garden when we move into our soon to be renovated house in Florida. Chocolate mint sounds so delicious. I’ve never heard of this herb before. Does it taste like ‘After Eights’? 🙂 I’m sure that your writer’s nook is every author’s dream, Dianne. What a great job you’re done at the RUC. Your stirling efforts and hard work have really paid off.
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The chocolate mint tastes a bit like peppermint (and ‘After Eights’). I’ve never seen it before, but father-in-law bought it for me (along with hundreds of dollars of herbs – he does nothing in moderation!)
A herb garden at the new place in Florida would be fantastic. Is the house being renovated before you move in?
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Hopefully, the roof will be replaced before we get back in September. The contractor should start next week. Hubby is going to do all the other work himself, and it could be well over a year before it is habitable.
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Are you going to live there while it’s being refurbished or do you have somewhere else to stay?
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We already have a house there. Bought it three years ago. The new one is bigger, and has an even better view, so it will be well worth the effort. I’ll blog about the progress once we get over there.
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Love it! We keep saying we need to grow some in our window to bring the outside in, but also to have those handy dandy herbs around. We need to get on it!
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They’re so nice in window boxes, Britt. I’m sure you’ll get onto it once you’ve finished the other million things you’re doing with your writing and publishing! Best of luck (23 days to go!) 😀
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Your writers nook must be one of the best in the world…. great views, plenty of nature to see and then right next to the kitchen… all that’s missing now is a bed to rest on… or a good reclining chair to be able to sit and catch a snooze….
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LOL – the writer’s nook also connects to my bedroom, Rob – so you’re pretty close to the mark here! 😀
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Just beautiful! I’m enjoying Mexican tarragon from my herb garden. Rosemary is always my next favorite. Love rosemary and garlic on chicken or beef.
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I love rosemary on lamb (with mustard) – oh dear, this is conversation is making me hungry 😉
I’ve still got a lot more herbs to plant. I’ve not heard of Mexican tarragon but I’m going to see if I can find some to add to the garden 😀
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With all the beauty around you, it’s a wonder you get any writing done… Well, not really! Really lovely!
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I do struggle sometimes, Billy Ray – that view draws me in (I’m such a dreamer) and sometimes it’s hard to snap out of it. Then again, it’s nice to relax this way 😀
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That’s a great idea and they look lovely Dianne. Rosemary will enliven your mind and help you with your writing.
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Thank you so much for the tip. Rosemary is next on my list, Oma! 😀
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Enjoy your herbs. I understand parsley is a rich source of anti-oxidants. I also love the clean taste of the stuff. Your view is amazing! All your hard work on the RUC has made the place into a lovely home. I just finished reading “The Everything Theory” and oh how I wish I could talk to you about the research you did to write that book. What a story! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Barb
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I’m SO glad you liked the story, Barb. You’ve made my day! The Everything Theory is probably my ‘most researched’ book and doing the research was very interesting indeed. Each time I thought ‘this can’t be right’ I was blown away with all the evidence. I’ve always wanted to write a sequel but know it would take me another 12 months of research before I even start it!
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One day, one day I will have my own little private studio, apart from my house, tucked right in the middle of nature. I love your nook, and I love your herb garden idea. Chocolate mint! I didn’t know that was a plant. Very cool.
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One day it WILL happen, I’m sure 😀
I didn’t know what chocolate mint was until my father-in-law bought this one for me. It tastes very nice indeed! 😉
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Oh, those are both gorgeous. When I first saw the pictures, I thought you must have photoshopped them. But no, they’re real. Lovely writing nook.
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You’ve got two-fourths of a well-known song growing in your nook there (parsley and sage). Just need some rosemary and thyme and you’re all set. Although, in truth, you’re already all set with not one but TWO basil plants. Basil is called the King of Herbs for a reason. You’re nook is looking great!
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Sorry, *your nook 🙂
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Dianne I love the garden to look at, but my hubby is the greeny not me. Your views are stunning and now I have nook envy lol
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Nook envy – that’s a great term (LOL)!
I never used to have a green thumb – my father was the green thumb of the family, but when he died I think I inherited his gift! I seem to be able to grow just about anything now 😀
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That is so cool he handed it down to you, I do appreciate that nurturing side of my hubby too.
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Love your views from inside and outside! You’ve made that place a heaven on earth!
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Thanks so much, Char! I like to think of it as my own little heaven 😀
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What a great idea. I simply must have plants in my writing and working space. In these too short summer days I am trying to spend as much time outside as possible. I have a couple of writing weeks coming up, and will likely set up a desk on my deck overlooking our busy garden.
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That sounds just wonderful, Allen. Enjoy the garden! 😀
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It looks wonderful Dianne and I agree with you. For the first time in my life I have herbs growing where I can just wander out the door and grab some for whatever I’m cooking – I love it. Grabbed shallots, oregano,parsley and thyme for dinner tonight!!
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It’s such a great idea! I planted shallots yesterday and cant wait for them to grow 😀
I’m going to make bruschetta for lunch today – YUM! 😀
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I too started growing herbs and I love them fresh and smelling up the place. Your nook is gorgeous.
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The smell is just lovely. I’m so glad you like the nook – it seems to be working because the stories are coming thick and fast 🙂
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I am simultaneously delighted and envious of your writing space. Oh my goodness, what an inspiring setting. Love it and love the herbs. I’m coming for dinner…and a writing sesh… ;0)
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I think you could teach me a thing or two about writing! I’m making bruschetta for lunch today (can’t wait!) 😀
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Your garden is wonderful – to smell them while you’re writing. That’s got to do good things to your brain. I’m still struggling to get my herb garden to stay healthy, but I love fresh herbs. Here’s a regular Friday night meal I cook with a tonne of fresh herbs and not much else:
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Thank you for sharing this, Alarna! 😀 The only one I don’t have from the list is Tarragon, so I’m heading out today to get some 😉
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It would be totally okay without it, too… I made one last night just with basil, oregano, thyme, sage, dill and coriander (plus some cinnamon, star anise, orange rind). It was delish! The whole idea is to use whatever’s fresh in the garden, and you get a different variation every time. Hope you enjoy 🙂 (and I’d love a garden like yours!)
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Beautiful Dianne and a great idea, you can’t beat fresh herbs. I grow as many as I can find. Fennel, oregano and thyme are some of my favourites and good in Mediterranean style recipes 🙂
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They go beautifully in those Mediterranean dishes, Tracy! Especially oregano (YUM!) 😀
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Hey Dianne really like your idea. Can almost smelly the various aromas from here 🙂
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I’m so glad, Anita! Smells SO good 😀
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Oh my goodness, how inspirational to have that touch of the outdoors right up at your writer’s nook! It’s so lovely. Now I am trying to think up a way to make my “space” more inviting and less cooped-up-feeling.
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It is inspirational, Luanne! I’m not good at being creative when I feel hemmed in, so this place is perfect for me 😉
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I keep thinking about it!
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I don’t garden so i don’t get fresh herbs but I have plenty in little bottles in my home! I wish I was a great cook and could point you to some good tips but really I am a pinterest cooker all the way!
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You have the best writer’s nook I have ever seen. And it must smell divine. Plus that wonderful assortment of herbs should go a way to keeping the ‘orrible flying bugs away.
Have you ever made anything with the chocolate mint? That smell would do me in. I’d have to have a whole stash of peppermint crisp bars in the cupboard. 🙂
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The herbs actually keep the flies away (who would have thought!) 😉
I haven’t made anything with the chocolate mint yet because I keep eating the leaves while I sit here writing (lol). I need to check out some recipes 😀
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Those plants make your writers nook so cozy. I wish i had tips for cooking with herbs, but I manage to kill the herb plants before I get to use them 🙂
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LOL – I used to be plant killer, but I’m getting better at keeping them alive these days 😀
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That’s such a nice idea, Dianne! Hmm, chocolate mint- never come across that one before 🙂 Smell delicious?
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Smells beautiful. If I can stop myself from picking the leaves off while I’m writing and eating them, I may have enough one day to make something with them! 😀
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I did think that they might not go with new potatoes 🙂
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Dianne, you have the most vivid and wonderful pictures!
At one time or another, I’ve grown all the herbs (with varying degrees of success) but the one that surprised me was the abundant success of the chocolate mint…in Colorado. Okay is was grown inside at a very sunny window…
My neighbor taught me to make chocolate mint tea. Very good, but not especially chocolatey. Still, the growing was the fun part.
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What a great idea, Marylin – I’m going to try some chocolate mint tea. I had never heard of chocolate mint before – my father-in-law bought me the plant (as well as all the others) for building him a vegie garden in his yard. He used to have one, but when he had his stroke he couldn’t lean down without toppling over so I built him a high garden so he can reach everything, I think I’ll do another post on that soon 😀
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No helpful hints here…I just purchased my first two herb plants myself. I’m kinda excited about it. I have lemon basil and nevia….natural sweetener for tea and coffee… We will see how it goes…good luck!
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Best of luck with them, Sherry! I’ve not heard of nevia – but it sounds like something I would love to have in my herb garden. I’m heading off now to see if I can find some online 😀
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Your little writer’s nook looks fabulous. What an incredible view you have there! I don’t plant herbs, but I always think I will someday. It’s a great idea.
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You should, Amy – they go great on pizza! 😀
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Ha ha! And salads and pasta. Oh, I’m getting hungry. Actually, you won’t believe this, but I’m eating pizza right now!
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Oh no! I’m SO jealous. I had one for dinner last night (and I’m living on the memory of it now!) 😀
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Your outlook while writing is gorgeous, Dianne.
I’ve started reading Let Sleeping Gods Lie. I’m intrigued and a little creeped out but I can’t stop.
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LOL – I like the idea that you’re a little creeped out (I think!). I really hope you enjoy it and the scenery because it’s all about my home – and some of the people in the story are remarkably similar to the people I live with (shhhh – don’t tell anyone) 😀
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I”m enjoying the North Qld scenery. It makes me want to go back there for another visit. The last time I was there was with my parents on a caravan holiday in the mid 1970s.
I’m wondering just who are the people you live with now…I need to read some more.
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LOL! It’s a long story. I shouldn’t have said I actually ‘live with them’ (not in the same house), they just live very close by 😉
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That is such a great idea. I bet it also smells really nice having all the fresh herbs around.
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It smells wonderful, particularly when I water them – they seem to release all their smell at once! 😀
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Cannot beat fresh, fresh herbs. The smell…..Great looking hideaway there, MM 🍀
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It certainly is, MM. Thanks so much for coming by! 😀
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I love seeing pictures of the RUC. I want more. It’s such an amazing place to live.
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The more work that goes into it, the better it is, Piper 😀
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