A Touch of Romance and a Kitchen Herb Garden

A Touch of Romance and a Kitchen Herb Garden

I don’t know why, but somewhere along the way, I got it in my head that a dedicated kitchen herb garden with easy access from the kitchen was a must-have. And, like many good ideas, this one started with a challenge: the renovation of our old, rotting wooden deck, which had long been ruled by an incredibly aggressive white wisteria.

Now, don’t get me wrong—the wisteria could be magical. In those rare years when the weather cooperated during its glorious two-week bloom period, the cascading white flowers and their sweet, delicate scent were absolutely enchanting. But those perfect years were few and far between. The rest of the time? That plant was a relentless force, sending powerful roots under the deck and bursting through the wood. When we finally pulled the deck apart, the root system looked like something out of an alien movie, creeping and conquering everything in its path!

So, we decided to transform this area into something beautiful and practical: a breezeway that truly felt magical. We anchored it with an 8-foot-long rectangular firepit, a 12-foot-high ceiling with a glass center, built-in heating, a sound system, ambient lighting, and curtains (handmade by me, of course!). The only thing missing? Greenery to tie this space to the adjacent fields of lavender and the vegetable garden.

Enter: the kitchen herb garden.

I didn’t want to be tied to daily watering, and running irrigation lines across our beautiful new deck wasn’t an option. Lifespace Gardens and their brilliant water reservoir systems came to the rescue! Working with Heather, we custom-designed a stunning planter: 5 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 26 inches tall. Sitting up against the back of our 10-foot sofa, nestled under cover, and basking in tons of sunlight, this herb garden flourished. With fresh, healthy organic soil, the herbs grew magnificently, giving us fragrant, vibrant greenery just steps from the kitchen.

And then, on one of our trips to the nursery, my husband fell under the spell of roses—beautiful roses. He couldn’t resist, and home he came with two ‘Marilyn Monroe’ roses, their blush-colored petals oozing charm and elegance. Back to Lifespace Gardens I went, and together we designed two more planters, each 2 feet by 2 feet and 26 inches high, to anchor the ends of the seating area.

I’d never grown roses before, so my education began. With good light, rich soil, and a little care, these roses thrived, becoming the perfect romantic touch for this space.

Now, when I camp out on the sofa, surrounded by the fresh scent of herbs behind me and the soft beauty of the roses on either side, “sweet dreams” doesn’t even begin to cover it. This little oasis—part kitchen garden, part floral paradise—is one of the most joyful, peaceful places in our home.

It all started with a dream for herbs, and it bloomed into a space filled with life, love, and a touch of romance. ❤️

These lettuces have been ‘growing’ for months!!