Meet Basil

A few weeks ago, I bought a bunch of basil at the supermarket. I was going to make pork banh mi sandwiches (a new obsession!) but realized that I wasn't going to be home for most of the week at dinner time. I didn't want my basil to go bad, as it was key to the recipe.

I figured fresh basil couldn't be that different from fresh flowers. So to keep it green, instead of just throwing the package in the fridge, I clipped the bottoms on an angle and stuck it in a vase on my windowsill.

Fast forward to the end of the week. I was so impressed with how green and pretty my basil had stayed, no wilting whatsoever and adding a lovely fragrance to my little kitchen. But upon closer observation, I realized that there was something else going on here-- my basil had grown roots in the vase! The clippings were growing into their own plant!

I had no idea you could do this with basil, but I have seen my dad do this for years with Christmas cactus clippings. I decided to plant my newly-sprouted clippings in a pot with some dirt I covertly stole from my apartment's flower beds using a laundry detergent cap as a shovel, and hope for the best.

I am happy to report that a few weeks later, and with some proper pruning, my basil is growing strong!! And more exciting news-- my friend Holly has given me some mint clippings, which apparently do the same thing. I guess I might need to pick up some actual pots and soil from the hardware store soon.

My mini-ist of gardens. 

I'm so excited about my little urban garden! If any of you have any other plants you think could do well in my studio apartment windowsill, I'd love to know!

Peace and Love.