Celebrating Coriander (And Tomatoes)

Seeing the title of this post one might well think, 'Why,
what's so special about coriander?' A herb that's been a
backyard staple for millions of households across the
world elevated to the league of some hallowed species?
Sacrilegious!

Ah, but there's reason to celebrate. Regular readers of
this blog have often 'heard' me whine about my lack of
space. A ribbony strip on the western part of our compound
has been the sole preserve for tomatoes. They're just too
precious NOT to be planted! A tomato-less garden, in my
opinion, is devoid of a soul!! And so, this space has
always been considered tomato-sacred. Tomatoes in winter
and no other crop except okra in summer, on this particular
strip of good mother earth.

Revelation came to me only this year (please don't laugh)
after I'd not only prepared the soil for planting but had
also planted the tomatoes. I had sown the seeds in a pot
earlier. With the soil in the gaps between the plants
staring back at me, the temptation to use the spaces was
a bit too much! I bought the coriander seeds, soaked them,
and in no time they sprouted and almost every brown space
had a green coriander cover.

I didn't have to wait long for the picking, and the generous
garnishing for almost anything that I cooked! And now that
the blooming tomato plants are about two feet high,it's
almost time to say goodbye to Coriandrum sativum L.
In previous years I've planted them in wooden containers but
the thought of a bed, on the ground, was something I'd always
wished for.Well, even a shared bed is good enough! Hence, the
celebration!