How to Garden for Earth Day: Window Box, Urban Gardening

Bought rosemary and coriander - put them in containers found around the house. Killed slugs, put out sandpaper strips around the base of the basil planted in the garden. I think it's working. 


All herbs are still alive, but the garden basil looks abused and depressed, but is still sprouting new leaves.

I have slugs.

How are your herbs doing, Rebecca?

Unfortunately, I had to plant my basil directly in the ground, it was too big and robust a variety for a container garden. My mint is happy.

My herbs are still alive.

Love the video, but I have the thumb of death, but I'll give it a try. You know more than I do. I scrounged around and found some potting soil, some containers, and a tray so the water won't affect our wooden deck and I'm going to let it rip and start planting. I chose mint and basil because I know that they'll get used. The other idea I like about this is I won't have this huge crop to deal with. I just want to try this and (excuse the pun) grow from here.

you are a joy to listen to and watch, you absolutely have the confidence and know how and makes me get out and do it!

Oh my goodness! I loved this Rebecca! This year I started my first urban garden with mixed herbs on the front steps and veggies on the roof! Not only is it going to save us so much money (I love cooking with fresh herbs) but it's been an amazing experience learning about something so basic. I loved your box find, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. I know nothing about gardening as well so I feel like we are in this together!

This episode is perfect timing! I recently moved into a new apartment and just purchased supplies to grow my own basil, chives and cilantro. I cannot wait to plant my seeds and try to cultivate my own herb. In the past I've grown cherry tomatoes and peppers from seeds so hopefully I will have the same luck with my herbs. Keep up the good work!

I don't really have much growing. Me and my boyfriend's mom are about to start growing our own vegetable garden so we can have our own fresh veggies. ^__^

At the end of the season, or if you have extra herbs left over from a grocery store bunch, it is super easy to dry them at home in the microwave.  My mom and I have been doing this for over 10 years and have found that our dried herbs always taste much better than the store bought version and there is no waste.  

All you have to do is wash your herbs and dry them with a paper towel.  Then, arrange the herbs on the same paper towel in a single layer in the microwave.  Start your herbs at 50 percent for 4 minutes.  Check and add another few minutes as needed until completely dry (you will know you have reached this stage when the leaves become brittle and fall apart when touched); store in an air tight container or Ziploc bag.  The only caveat, make sure your herbs are completely dried out.  If you don’t you might end up with moldy herbs the next time you try to use them.

Hi I love what you did here so many good ideas well I have one for everyone. Here is what I did for earth day I love coconut milk so I save my coconut shells and reuse them I make little planters out of them and keep them on my kitchen window seal, and on the bottom of the coconut it already has three round marks from where they were picked off the tree so just drill three holes there and your ready to have your own herb garden indoors enjoy ;)

yeah pleeese make a hungry nation community of gardeners. im in uni and am the cook on our level but i tried to get in touch to start people growing herbs.

Great episode! Good information provided and fascinating 'forum' of experiences and ideas from your viewers! This is a magnificent realiazation of the internets social potential without all the posturing that plagues social networks--congratulations. BTW, is Humphrey's name actually "Herby"?

I am soooo glad you did this episode! I have been trying to get all my friends and neighbors to grow their own window box herb gardens! I even have the offspring of my plants that I offer all the time. I made my window box 4 years back but now my plants are soooo big that I had to re-pot them and place them outside my door for easy access. 
I do believe that you would be truly astonished if you saw all the plants I keep. I have them completely scattered in every room that are of the non food variety which doesn't help me save money but it makes my house's air so much cleaner and healthier to breathe. Then there are loads more (of the non-food variety) in my front yard and side patio (which is crazy covered in plants, makes it look like a magical forest to me). But in the backyard I have a garden where I grow my three different types of basil, rosemary, two types of cucumbers, three types of tomatoes, two types of radishes, carrots, green onions, green beans and potatoes started growing in my mulch pit :) It's good to live in California when it comes to growing things

Appropos of this episode and Earth Day:  other great recycled plant containers:  http://bit.ly/aWx3Id

I moved from urban south Florida, to rural North Carolina a few years ago.  Everyone gardens up here so I decide to try it.  The first year it was just tomatoes, I only got 3 *frown* but I got some tips.  I skipped the next year, but this year I planted, Green beans, green peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, zuchinni, basil, thyme, catnip, chives, lavendar, oregano, and one strawberry plant!  I will let ya know

Awesome episode. I had a small herb garden last year and ended up with waaay more than I would ever need, but at least it smelled nice. Currently growing yellow onions, scallions, lettuce, broccoli, bush beans and snow peas in raised beds. Will add zucchini, cucumber, carrots and tomatoes shortly.

I just turned an old half-size shopping cart into a planter this weekend. I lined the basket with weed block, that I had left over from another project, to keep the soil and drainage rocks from falling out. Its home to my new tomato garden and keeps the plants up high so they are safe from the dogs.