Basil, Cilantro, and Lettuce

Basil planter below deck garden

My Deck Garden

Light green, leafy lettuce dance in my miniature deck planter. Mingled with basil, cilantro, oregano, one hot pepper (for hubby) and one green pepper (for me). For those of you who do not know me, I’m basically a city girl who should be dubbed a “country girl” born in Ottumwa, Iowa in Wapello County. However, my folks moved away when I was very young.

My husband and I live in a modest condominium along with all the rules and regulations associated with condo living. Huge, vast gardens are not on the horizon for this “no green thumb” lady. However, while cooped up for the long, winter months in Michigan, my mind began to dream of succulent fresh, leafy greens home grown and ready to pick. My girlfriend, who tills a spacious garden in her back yard, assured me that a deck planter could work for me. Sharry was willing to coach me.

At that point, I knew I had all the tools I needed to get the job done and realize my dream. A deck planter meant no worries about rabbits or other critters carrying away my bounty. No room for weeds. Plus, I’d have the convenience of walking a few short yards to my deck and viola…fresh produce ripe for the picking!

You can imagine my amazement when those first lettuce heads popped their tiny heads up through the black soil! I was surprised they even appeared, and didn’t wither up and die. Reminded me of the parable of a tiny mustard seed, “…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed…Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Anyone who came to our home received the official tour straight to the deck and oohed and aaahhed with me as we watched the garden grow. No one was exempt from my daily observation of my mini garden deck planter. Later, I added two peppers plants, chives, and several spices.

At a doctor’s appointment, my doctor promptly asked if I had a garden.

“Why do you ask? Is my green thumb showing?”

“You look like you’ve gotten some sun,” he added.

My face beamed. Someone had noticed. Although I doubt that my small amount of time spending tilling my mini garden was the contributor to the tan.

“Do you have basil in your garden? It’s not a garden unless you have basil.”

“No, no basil yet,” I sheepishly replied making a mental note to add some basil to my garden. 

“Basil is good in everything. You must have some.” Well, folks, there you have it: doctor’s orders to plant basil in my garden. I had no other option than to comply.

Two nights ago, my daughter came over to share dinner with me. I made a luscious summer salad accompanied with stuffed pasta and chivied basil and onion sautéed in olive oil. Out of this world! Last night, I harvested (love that word) another batch of lettuce to share with my hubby along with chopped cilantro in the sauce for our tacos.

Folks, it doesn’t get much better than that!

p.s. Did I happen to mention the meaning of my name, “Teresa?” It is of Greek origin meaning “to harvest.”