The Wander List

One thing missing from my life since relocating to Manhattan is foliage. Yes, Central Park is nearby and there’s a hearty tree outside my apartment. But I have no plants to call my own, to nurture, neglect, over-water, kill, resuscitate.

But a trip to the Columbus Avenue farmers’ market at 77th Street this weekend garnered some seeds of inspiration. The market, which sported hot apple cider and a tortured pile of fingerling potatoes in winter, is bursting to life this summer. New stands are overflowing with seasonal plums, berries, tomatoes, sunflowers, lilies and herbs.

One vendor sells 14 types of basil. (Fourteen!) Lemon, cinnamon, Christmas and thai basil … you can pick up one-fourth of all known varieties right here on a lazy Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at $2 a pop.

I want to adopt a few of these plants, but where to grow them? I’ve been collecting ideas for a windowsill garden, and so far, these are my favorites:

Apartment Therapy, a go-to source for decorating small spaces, featured a vintage take on windowsill plants. The gardener punched drainage holes in the bottom of old tea canisters for a shabby chic look.

Better Homes and Gardens suggests cutting plants like angelwood begonias, gardenias and Swedish ivy, and rooting them in water. You could collect an assortment of glass vases from antique shops and flea markets to create this chic look.

And IKEA, a reliable standby for such dilemmas, stocks cute pots and planters (as well as exotic plants). These simple, modern planters would dangle nicely in front of a window.

After I figure out the vessel, I plan to consult these tips for keeping an indoor herb garden alive. Afterall, my green thumb is a little rusty.