I t’s Summer and the growing season is upon us as gardeners of all kinds begin to see the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor.

For me, the growing season centers around my budding herb garden which is doing better than I imagined.

I had never tried my hand at growing my own herb garden before but I was eager to give it a try after seeing so many examples of beautiful small scale herb gardening efforts.

Regular readers of this blog may recall I laid the seeds for my little garden back in April.

I planted five sets of seeds (Basil, Thyme, Mint, Dill and Chives) and set up my germination pots in a front window and crossed my distinctly, non-green fingers.

It seems growing herbs is not so hard after all.  With water and a good source of sunlight, there’s steady growth every week.

Even if you don’t have a green thumb (and I certainly don’t), successful herb gardening will make you feel like all your fingers are green.

The moisture and soil from the germination peat pots definitely took a toll on my labeled popcicle sticks.

No matter, just wait until you see what I replaced these with.

Aren’t these clay stakes gorgeous?

While visiting my mom recently, we started talking about my budding herb garden growth and she mentioned she had these pretty little stakes she wasn’t using.

They were a gift to my mom from my twin sister so I don’t actually get to keep them.

For now, they’re on “extended” loan to me.  Yeah!

Once the seeds sprout, it’s safe to transfer them to larger pots.  I found these round, plastic bowl-like pots (14″ diameter) at Home Depot for under $5 each.

The plants really take off after they’re transplanted.

I had forgotten how pretty fresh Basil looks.

I’m so used to buying it from the grocery store in those airtight packages which often makes the herb flat and limp.

I may never buy store-packed Basil again.

NOTE: Look for my fresh Basil to show up here again soon in an upcoming edition of my new column, THE FRIDAY FOODIE. 

I love the smell of fresh mint too and I can’t wait to use this in some refreshing recipe.

I’m already clipping a few Summer drink ideas. 

I had a minor debate with my sister over whether the correct description was Chive or Chives always with an “s”.

It seems both spellings are widely used and equally acceptable.

What Thyme is it?

Thyme for a look at how wonderfully this pretty herb is growing.  OK, I know that was corny but I couldn’t resist the pun.

Fresh Dill anyone?

In general, I’m not a huge fan of dill flavor but these seeds came with the purchased collection so I figured I’d give it a try.

Not sure how I’ll use this yet but I’ll think of something.

Even though the lovely garden stakes almost steal the show, I think you can now call me a small-scale gardener (albeit one who gardens on her back deck).

I currently have my herb pots spread out all over the deck but I’ve been keeping an eye out for a small, iron, multi-tiered herb bench to display them them in more attractive, orderly fashion.

That’s a look at my green thumb efforts.  So far so good and I’m thrilled with the early results.

Do you have an herb garden or other gardening efforts in progress? ♥