Planting for Life

I wish I’d come to gardening much earlier in life. I came from a long line of gardeners, and always enjoyed the serenity of a beautiful garden, I could write, I could dream, take in the beauty of the plants and flowers, and climb the frangipani tree and make flower crowns.

Just watching the change in someone’s demeanour – their body language opens and relaxes, their facial expression softens and they’re present, in the moment, interested.

It’s therapy for the soul.

I’ve always supported local farmers, and small scale businesses, they produce quality, fresh foods that support their families, and just taste better.

To all the farmers at local markets I visit for fresh produce each week, I’ll still be visiting to enjoy your harvest, but I am hoping for terrific things from my spearmint plant as summer’s around the corner and I’m getting the feels for mojitos.

My organic spearmint seedling came in a coir pot, which protects the seedling as it is maturing, the roots growing straight through as the pot degrades to the soil, allowing maturity with a strong root system. I told you I was hoping for big things from my spearmint plant.

Magic Mojitos

10 fresh mint leaves

1/2 lime, cut into wedges

1-2 Tablespoons coconut sugar or substitute

1 cup ice cubes

45mL white rum

125mL soda water

Smack the mint leaves lightly in between the palms of your hands to release aroma, and put 1 lime wedge into the bottom of a glass with the mint leaves. Use a muddler or the bottom of a rolling pin to lightly crush the mint leaves and release lime juice. Add a couple more lime wedges and any sugar being used, to then muddle again.

Fill the glass with ice. Pour the rum over the ice and follow with enough soda water to complete the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.