Herb Garden on a London Sidewalk

I was walking from a friend's house to Books for Cooks a few Saturdays ago, and saw a curious and touching sight: an herb garden planted in three sidewalk-level windowboxes on an otherwise plain white facade of a house in Notting Hill.

It seems the owners of this house weren't afraid to leave their rosemary, thyme, mint, chives and parsley right there at arm's reach, even in a city like London where burglaries are common and the Metropolitan Police website even includes a section of tips about preventing theft in the garden. It was a gesture of civic confidence and a lovely way to add color to the front of the house with edible plants that are usually relegated to the back yard or the kitchen windowsill.

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. She can be reached at kristinh @ apartmenttherapy . com

Comments (7)

The Grocery restaurant in brooklyn does this, and i always joke about running downstairs to steal some rosemary when i'm in a cooking panic. :)

...it's sad that this is an act of faith -- people should be grateful to the owners for greening the street...

Based on my experience in London, I wouldn't be worried about someone stealing them so much as urinating in them.

It is a lovely idea, but then its a risk as well.

And my herbs do just fine in the front too

I do get tired of the general gloom about London in Europe Therapy posts

I think this is wonderful. Hopefully the owners of this garden are not opposed to sharing a sprig or two. A leap of faith, yes but none the less a beautiful gesture. More households should follow their lead.
www.MyHerbGardening.com
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Great post!!