Recently I made a compound butter with the last of this year’s basil and the hearty, ever-growing rosemary from my herb garden. At the time I cut a few extra sprigs of the rosemary and placed them in water thinking I would use them as garnish to a prime rib for a then upcoming dinner party. Well, the dinner party came and went and the rosemary remained in a mason jar under my kitchen window. I loved the color the rosemary added to my kitchen so I kept the water refreshed. After two weeks I noticed roots had formed on the woody stems and that’s when I had the spark to pot the rooted sprigs instead of buying store bought starter plants this spring.
During a visit to my house yesterday I shared my plan with my mother, who has two green thumbs, and she offered to pot and nurture the herb for me until spring. I took her up on the offer and cut more sprigs to root in the little mason jar.
I cut seven additional sprigs, stripping the leaves from the lower three inches of the woody stem before placing them in fresh water. Side note: stripping lower leaves prevents them from rotting in the water which can cause moldy stems. I rinsed the leaves I removed and set them aside. Later I added them to a pan of mushrooms I sautéed for dinner. Waste not, want not. Right?
Once the new cuttings take root I am going to pot and nurture them until they can go into the ground. I intend to plant a hedge of rosemary this year because I love it for its delicious aromatic qualities and beauty. If all the pottings thrive I will end up with twelve plants which will go in the ground as a hedge for two lilac bushes I also plan to plant in the spring. The smell of blossoming lilac is a happy nostalgic memory for me. My mother had two old and very large lilac trees in the yard of my childhood Pennsylvania home. Beneath the trees was a wooden swing my father had given her and I spent my days playing under the fragrant flowers of the lilac trees. I can close my eyes and see the wooden swing, warm from the sunshine, draped in heavy branches of purple flowers. For years I have thought about planting my own so I’ve decided this year is the year I will do it. I cannot tell you how excited I am to walk around our property and catch the sweet smell of lilacs on the warm breeze. I will be sure to take you all along the planting process.
Are you interested in my herb compound butter recipe? It will be coming soon! When I tell you it is so aromatic and delicious that I have to put the baguette down and back away slowly, I am not joking! It is that good, imo, Until next time.
Xoxo,
Grace
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