Inspiration from Greenhearts (or “I want my own herb garden!”) 27 April 2006

Buying all those little packets of rosemary, basil, marjoram in a grocery or deli really adds up. Then there is the issue of limp herbs. Or worse, those dampish bruised basil leaves seem to acquire an offtaste when in the fridge. Not exactly appetizing.

There was nowhere else to turn to but fresh herbs. Potted herbs. But where to buy them? We’ve tried quite a few places, but by far, Greenhearts Gardens is the best source I’ve come across in Metro Manila.

Yeng found their website through a quick Google. When he saw it was just in Quezon City, he rushed off to check it out. He came back with various pots of basil – ruffles (because of the ruffled leaves) and some purple varieties.

I couldn’t very well be left out of the fun so the entire family scheduled another visit. Entering the gates we were greeted with a soothing set-up of fountains and overhanging vines. You can find almost everything you need here – potting mixes, organic fertilizers, seeds, pots. But wait, where are the herbs? On the second floor, of course! Going up the spiral staircase, it’s a surprise to be see a wonderful array of herbs filling up that little space.

Dui amidst the sea of herbs!
There were so many basil varieties, I wanted at least one of each – Sweet basil (an all around basil), Genovese (good for pesto), Mammoth basil (obviously has large leaves), Cinnamon basil (with a hint of cinnamon, smell it, taste it - good for salads and teas), Green Globe (so named because a bush looks like it were shaped as a globe), lemon basil (yep, lemony smelling), Osmin (a purple basil) and Ruffles (ruffly leaves). There were quite a few more, it was a little overwhelming!

 

Those are the Purple Ruffles basil, it would be great to add color to a salad!

My, what lovely mammoth basil you have!

They also have arugula (or rocket), peppery tasting leaves great with some lemon juice and olive oil. We snapped up a few of those too. (Jamie Oliver keeps mentioning it in his recipes and we tried looking for it. Finally found some in Santi’s though it’s a little pricey.)

Did you know vanilla comes from an orchid? They have vanilla plants too! Yeng got a pot, just to try it out.

As for the prices, they are very reasonable. Depending on the kind of herb, an established plant is only 55 pesos upward!

Greenhearts also boasts that all it has over 100 herbs and pepper varieties. Best of all, they say that they are 100% organically grown and are chemical-free! The staff are friendly, are easy to talk to, and most importantly, knowledgeable about the plants.

Of course buying them is just step 1. As you may have guessed by now, I didn’t get exactly get the gene for a green thumb. I haven’t deluded myself that once bought, they will magically flourish. So I am really counting on those care instructions on a little tag with each herb we bought. And I am going to take Greenhearts up on their offer (according to their brochure), to call them up if I have questions on their herbs (e.g., my basil is dying, what do I do?).

We’ve been through quite a number of herbs now from various sources. With our newest additions from Greenhearts, we’ve got a decent selection in our tiny space we call our garden – rosemary, basil (I’ll have to count how many varieties), dill, coriander, fennel, oregano (Italian, Cuban), marjoram (struggling to live), bay leaf, curry leaf, ginger (galangal, yellow), arugula … and more! This is really something we’re aspiring for - an herb garden in the city! Why should we waste our precious space on merely pretty looking plants when we can replace them with aromatic and delicious herbs, just outside our kitchen?

GreenHearts
The Garden Shop
72 Mother Ignacia Avenue
Cor. Scout Reyes Street, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: 411.6868
Email: gardenATgreenhearts.com (replace AT with @)
Website: www.greenhearts.com