Spring has finally arrived here in Switzerland! Although the snow persisted into May I can say that today it seems as if the cold isn't gonna come back (at least not in snow form) for a very long time! In celebration of the spring I wanted to share will all of you my garden update. You all saw my garden as it was starting off - with simple seeds. I am proud to say that I have raised it to grow amazing herbs! The cilantro is finally fully ready to start harvesting.
Today was the first day that I was able to eat the cilantro. It is amazing to be able to grow the very things you eat. It really makes you realize how much water goes into everything we eat. Even this simple cilantro plant had to be watered constantly before it could become green enough and tall enough to be edible.
I made some nice lime and cilantro rice as a fitting first meal with my newly snipped cilantro pieces - and it was amazing!
I suggest growing simple plants in your own apartment not only for the benefit of providing food but it is actually quite nice to have something green and alive in your own home. On top of that it makes you realize all the energy that goes into producing the food that we eat. It really made me understand the quantity needed to produce to supply the whole world with food when a simple potted plant would only be able to supply me with cilantro - a mere garnish to my larger dish of rice.
Of course if would be great for the environment if everyone would be able to pitch into this growing demand of food supply by growing their own little plants. However, I know that this is far from the solution. Possibly this can be the start of a bigger community practice. I did "donate" a tomato plant or two to a few friends as they became interested in the idea. If a community could put together something small like this - it could at least put a dent in the production demand.
Overall, it is a great welcome to spring - I am glad to see that the plants are able to start growing and it was a tasty treat for all of the gardening time spent with my little cilantro plant. Happy spring everyone!