before they became a puppy snack

While I have neglected to report to you the happenings of the apartment garden over the past few weeks, I have not neglected the apartment garden. However, the sun has neglected the apartment garden and the results are rather saddening.

Before I divulge the details, allow me to preface them with this:

It’s been cold here. I know you northerners think that I am being a wuss and that I live in Florida and therefore don’t know what cold is. May I remind you that I’ve spent my fair share of time shoveling snow in New Hampshire, so I do know cold. Now, whether or not I vividly remember it is a different story all together. But I digress. So as I was saying, before I interrupted myself, it has dropped below freezing every night this week. The skies have been grey and I mean GREY…like snowy grey. I kid you not! See for yourself. All of this cold (the plants are up against the window) and the grey skies have really made the apartment garden sad. So please keep this in mind and don’t judge me as you look at the winter photo journal of the apartment garden.

I had to euthanize the confederate jasmine this month. She kept getting [what I thought were] little black bugs all over her. I fought for her. I researched and made crazy dish soap, oil and water concoctions, but in the end I had to say goodbye.

where the confederate jasmine once lived

awaiting resurrection

Sadly, the confederate jasmine was not the only loss I had this month. The last green leaves on one of my lavender plants turned brown. I am secretly hoping the lavender is just sleeping so I haven’t laid her to rest in a garbage bag just yet. The other lavender plant isn’t looking so good either. I planted the lavender against the advice of the internet. The internet told me lavender wouldn’t grow well inside. They told me there wouldn’t be enough drainage! They told me there wouldn’t be enough space! They told me there wouldn’t be enough sun! I did it anyway. Look where that got me.

There is good news from the apartment garden this month.

The maid of orleans jasmine has bloomed and bloomed and bloomed over the past two weeks. I made jasmine tea and [unfortunately] Kenobi also made a snack of the flowers that fell, as well as the occasional leaf that was within his reach. The last flowers fell today, but new buds are already appearing! I am hoping to break the dog of his newly-discovered taste for jasmine.

Basil, mint and cilantro are doing well. The cilantro never stops growing so I can add fresh zest to every meal! I’ve been too afraid to cut the basil after its near death experience. Maybe in the Spring I’ll be a bit more daring.

for your viewing pleasure: the eater of the jasmine

I trust you’ve enjoyed my photo journal and narration of the happenings of the apartment garden. See you soon!