I have been hesitating to start my balcony garden for a while. I am not sure if it’s the height(we are on 29th floor) or the smog that I see every morning thats been putting me off. Also, all the vegetables for sale here are grown locally and you can even find an abundant supply of organic vegetables and herbs. And they are all so cheap. Still, I haven’t seen Thyme or any Korean vegetables, such as sesame seeds leaves(깻잎).
Cutting fresh herbs or picking my own vegetables from my garden has always been one of my joys (next to cooking). After going on a wild goose chase around Bangkok for some Thyme, I decided it was finally time to start my little balcony garden. Luckily, the Australian and New Zealand Womens group (of which I am a member) organised a day trip to Chatuchak plant market and helped me to find all the necessary equipment to start.
Here are my little Corianders that I grew from seed. They are from the Chatuchak plant market and I was a little skeptical on planting them as I had only limited success in Singapore. Even though it’s only a 2.5 hour flight away, it’s not as humid as in Singapore. So, I am hoping I might have better luck here. I am still not sure what Bangkok has to offer as far as the weather goes. Friends living here are warning me about the upcoming April heat waves… 🙁
The first two boxes below are Sweet basils and Thai basils. They tend to grow really well in tropical weather so I am not so worried. The third box on the bottom of the picture has two little chilli seedlings and rosemary cuttings. So far the rosemary isn’t looking so good :-(.
I also have thyme and two little flat parsley seedlings but they are still too tiny to show you. Here are the rest of the herbs that I bought from Chatuchak market. I have had them for a week now and so far, they don’t seemed to mind the full afternoon sun. Until the thyme seedlings grow big enough, this little plant will keep me happy.
Mint is hard to grow from seeds in the tropical weather but I am trying. Not a single beep from the mint seeds but I am going to be patient……..
The rosemary is looking really healthy. This is my second one so far. Silly me though – I left the plant next to the air-con unit over the weekend and it dried out completely. I have never killed rosemary before and it was so sad…. 🙁
My latest project is growing celery inspired by this website. I knew I could regrow spring onions if I cut the root and left in a jar with some water but not celery. Apparently, its the same method. It has been a week since I started this little project and already I can see few roots sprouting out and few new green stems slowly growing as well.
Looking through my little herb babies every morning(and afternoons) gives me sense of balance again and finally feels like I am home. Believe it or not, I also have some non-food plants. I have always said that I would never have ornamental plants but these are strictly to provide some shade for my little babies. I actually don’t know what I am supposed to with these plants besides watering them. I hope they don’t die on me… 🙂 Happy Gardening!
i just came across your blog and love your balcony gardens! it’s given so much inspirations and i can’t wait to try growing some in Singapore too! look forward to new updates! enjoy Bangkok!
Thanks for your comment… It’s good to hear that I can be a bit of inspiration. Keep you posted on my Bangkok balcony! Not as good as Singapore so far but still there are a few things growing!!
I was searching to see if anyone has any success in growing basil and rosemary. I lived in the california for a while, they grow so well that you can’t even get rid of them if you want to but I have no success doing it here. I am wondering how your basil and rosemary are doing? any tips? Thanks
Your rosemary is really growing beautifully. Pls do help me with mine. I tried to grow them in Singapore by the HDB corridor area. It lasted for 2weeks and it simply turn black and then totally dried up. I love the smell of rosemary and am trying hard is it Singapore climate is not suitable for rosemary plant. Been searching blogs and some told me that rosemary is to grow in full sunlight, some said no full sunlight but to be under shade. Some said rosemary needs lots of water, others said rosemary do not like too much water. Please, please share your tips in rosemary planting. Thanking you in advance.
Hi Margaret, my rosemary just died recently… I think it’s due to the pot being too small and I gave them not enough water. Rosemary grows really well in dry and hot climate and both Singapore and Bangkok has humid and hot weather. This is my first time killing rosemary, so sad…. anyway, I bought a new set of rosemary yesterday and I have planted them in a bigger pot and going to experiment them.
I was always told water in the morning and full sun. Make sure the pot is located in a area where there a bit of ventilation so it’s too humid!! Good luck with your rosemary and let me know how you go!! Cheers!! Nicky
Hello Nicky. I have been on a wild goose chase myself looking for thyme in Bangkok recently. I just wanted to make sure I read the post correctly… you mentioned that you got the rosemary and thyme plants from the chatuchak weekend market? Is that correct? Also, you found both the seeds and plants there? Would you by chance remember the stall number/area? Thanks so much and good luck with your herbs. Will definitely check up on your blog later!!
Tana.
Hi Tana, thank you for your message. Yes, I bought the rosemary and thyme from the chatuchak wednesday market. Last time I was there, they didn’t have thyme but rosemary and sage. I don’t know the stall number, they also move around a bit as well. I am heading back this week so I will try to get the guy’s contact number. I don’t have seeds for the rosemary but I have for thyme, I have planted some thyme seeds this morning and hopefully I will have some growing… cheers!