Strawberries and Lavender

There are less things to eat and more things to grow in the Union Square Greenmarket. You may remember references to our Mini Urban Herb Garden last year. Well this year we know what we really want on hand, as well as what will grow well on our window ledge. That means mint and a big thyme bush are parked out there. They are doing well thanks for asking. There is one precious 12 inch slice of paradise left for one lucky plant. With that in mind I took a tour of the Green Market today to see what inspired me.


What will be the one to grow abundant on my window? Everything I saw made me green with envy for those people with patios, backyards, porches, terraces, fire escapes, and windows with brackets.
Walking through the garden stalls I imagine my garden. I imagine fluorescent pansies bobbing up and down and around in the wind, azaleas in every color, and hibiscus flowers to remind me of the beach.



I imagine fluffy green edible bouquets of lettuce and collards and broccoli lining the borders.



I imagine stalks of heirloom tomatoes hanging like ornaments on a tree, fields of strawberries to pick from at my leisure, watermelons trailing my every step, and white eggplants grown to light my path. I imagine my garden overflowing with lavender and jasmine that scents the soil and makes the air taste sweeter. Yes, I imagine my garden to be bliss.

In reality-- I live in Brooklyn. Even if I did have a backyard I wouldn't plant something edible in the ground soil. I toured the plant sellers trying to decide on just the right thing to soothe my green thumb with but choosing one proved to be do daunting. Although Chef may beat me to the punch and buy a bacon tree or something to put out there. I have it narrowed down- strawberries, and lavender. What do you think it should be?