My garden is (not yet) filled with...

papayas and mangoes (parrotheads know what I'm talking about ;-) Lately I've been squeezing in a few moments to garden while Sage naps. It's fun getting my fingers dirty again...mostly I've planted herbs and vegetables, but not much else. Everything is in containers, especially important when planting mint; it can take over a garden. For teas, household and personal care products, I have: peppermint, spearmint and chocolate mint. Other herbs: lemongrass (for making teas); lavender (household and personal care products); cilantro (cooking); garlic chives (cooking); sweet basil and purple basil (cooking, esp. PESTO); bay tree (cooking); and aloe vera (cooking, household and personal care products.) I love experimenting with new plants, so I've also potted up cuban oregano, tree spinach (aka chaya), salad burnet and lemon eucalyptus. Ironically, I haven't planted one single species of sage yet. All my plants are being maintained organically, and I plan to harvest the seeds for next year's crop. Sol Meltzer's Herb Gardening in Texas is quite informative as an instructional manual for growing, harvesting, drying, and using your homegrown herbs. Howard Garrett has a good book about herbs for Texas, as well.