The Perma Life

Phase 1 of my herb lady business is now in effect- I have planted 100 seeds and hope to see them germinate in the coming weeks. But many herbs can also be reproduced by taking cuttings, and today I took several cuttings that will hopefully grow into big strong plants in their own right. Anyone who is not familiar with plants may think this a complicated task, but it is actually simple enough that even I have a hard time screwing it up.

You start with  your “parent plant”:

My herb area

Then take some cuttings from the plants you want to propagate, making sure there are at least 2 sets of leaves, cutting just below a leaf node. Try not to pick tough, woody stems.  Pinch the leaves from the bottom node- this is the part of the plant you will stick in the soil, and what once grew leaves will now grow roots. You’ll also want to pinch off any lower leaves so they don’t touch the soil and rot. Also get rid of any flowers. You’ll be left with a somewhat pathetic specimen like this Basil below:

Pinch the leaves off at the bottom, this will be where the new roots grow

I like to dip the node that will go in the soil in a little rooting hormone to help it root faster, but you don’t necessarily have to do this. Plunk the little sucker in the soil (or seed starting mix, which is what I am using in the picture above), keep things moist and warm and pretty soon you will have baby herbs everywhere.

Told you it was simple!

I have a not so secret wish to be a farmer. I don’t have any grand romantic notions of the farming life…I know it is a hard life where you are at the mercy of everything and everyone…the weather, the consumer, the goverment, ag policy, Monsanto. All the same, I can’t think of anything more enjoyable than working in the dirt. There is something so magical about the concept of putting a dry little seed in the earth and getting back a watermelon or a pumpkin. What a concept! In my current urban setting, a full fledged farm is out of the question, but idea of growing for (a tiny) profit has always sounded fun.

Now, I think I might have my chance. There is a new open air market opening in a neighboring town that is looking for local vendors. The Windmill Market will have a wind generator, grey water system and demonstration gardens. Sounds like my kind of place. I went to the vendors meeting a few days ago and I think I might take the plunge.

What will I sell? Herbs. All herbs all the time. I am busy preparing my backyard greenhouse for herb propagation and I have to say I am really excited. I don’t really know what I am doing, but I figure I will learn as I go. Anyone have any advice or ther words of wisdom? How about a name? Every herb farmer has to have a name.

Stay tuned…