Step 1: Flower Shopping in Union Square Farmer's Market! I was like a kid in a candy shop; so much to choose from at great prices and good quality. Word of advice, DO NOT BUY annuals from big box stores like Home Depot, because they do not last and you've wasted money and precious time planting them for nothing!
Step 2: Take Inventory (for me on my studio's kitchen countertop/stove)
Before going to buy pots, dirt & anything else, list what you have to work with or you will definitely overbuy or get confused when you get there and possibly buy the wrong things you don't end up needing (stick to your mission). For me it was 2 med. size pots; 1 deep size pot; 2 window boxes; 2 bags of dirt that should have been 3 (ran out again later) & a mini shovel (never used it/prefer my hands).
When living in the city notice my transportation back with shopping goods from Home Depot. A baby stroller that works perfectly for loading up full of goods.
Step 3: Choose your Planting Spot & Get Dirty
Since I had to bring the flowers up to my apartment and then
go out again to get pots/dirt etc. I didn't want to have to bring the flowers back downstairs to go outside to do the potting, to then have to move everything back upstairs to the fire escape/veranda. So I decided to do my first gardening in the city in my little studio apartment with my Gigi, Jazz & 30s swing blasting in the background, Starbucks Iced Coffee and big plastic bags spread out on the floor.
Step 4: If Putting out on Fire Escape do it at night so you don't water anyone's head while walking by :)
****TIPS****
1) Notice the fancy leather
gardening gloves on the floor above. Those were a beautiful present from my man. Although they were greatly accepted with loads of love, they're not needed when it comes to potting. Planting is like Politics, you gotta dig in & get your hands dirty to get the job done. (not bad for a one liner :)
2) When planting an herb garden separate mint and basil. Mint will overspread and take over the rest of the herbs so pot it separately. Because Basil tends to need more water then the rest of the herbs I was planting I also separated it.
3) Keep name tags for herbs to put in the pot next to each one, as to know which is which and their proper care instructions.
4) Don't put too much dirt in the pots. My mom taught me that if you load up on the dirt to the tip top of the pot, there is no room for watering and the dirt will spill over the sides. You can always add more if needed.
5) Use COMMON SENSE when purchasing, especially in the city. One flower shop was charging a whopping $10 for one 4pack of little fillers. For what I comparatively saw in the Farmer's Markets a pack was anywhere from $2-4 depending on how many you bought.
So What did I plant?
1) Herb Garden: Italian Parsley, French Tarragon, Rosemary and Thyme. Can't you just smell
the herbs?!?! I literally can every morning with the window open. If you have a windowsill it's a great place for herbs because the breeze will bring in a burst of all those beautiful "herbalicious" scents.
2) Two Separate pots, one with Mint and one with Basil. Plant some of your family members' favorite herbs in honor of them, and you have a nice reminder of your loved ones reflective in your
garden. When I think of mint all I can think of is my grandfather always having a sprig in his shirt pocket & sniffing the heck out of it throughout the day while in his yard.
3) Sunflower with Cranberry Sunsatia crawling on the bottom. The sunflower hasn't bloomed yet but it should any day now and I'll repost a picture. They just make me smile -- I'll share its sunshine with y'all when I get a good pic.
4) My Rainbow "NON-Hanging" Basket of Petunias, Pansies, Yellow African Daisies & mini orange Azalea. I wanted a hanging box for this arrangement, but I thought it more wise not to hang the box up after all. If you are going to hang any flower boxes and you live above a busy sidewalk or street, I would hang them up on the inside of the rail just to be on the safe side. The last thing you want is for it to fall on someone walking by below!
Well, as parting words I would just like to say what a fantastic day I had yesterday shopping for the flowers with Gigi, going to get the pots, doing the potting on my living room floor with singing Ella in the background and transporting all of the finished boxes out onto the fire escape. If you love flowers than there's nothing better to do on such a gorgeous day. For me the flowers aesthetically add so much to my living space, and so much fun going through the
planting process. I love looking out and noticing any new buds or what has blossomed. Not too mention my man who loves to cook especially loves reaching out the window to use our fresh herbs! I hope this post was helpful.Cheers from Jojo and Gigi in Abingdon Square
