Cilantro

The packet said to thin when the herb was about 1-2" high. So, at 1in, I was out thinning today. I didn't have the heart or courage to go as far as 12" apart yet. What if I pick all the ones that WOULD have grown big and healthy? So, I thinned them to more like 4" apart. I also thought they were supposed to be 6" apart, but that is the parsley. Anyway, what struck me, was HOW much they all ready smell like, well, cilantro. Their leaves do not yet even LOOK like a cilantro leaf and yet their aroma is really quite strong. As I type this I can smell wafts of cilantro from my fingers typing away. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, what else WOULD they smell like and when WOULD be a good time for them to develop their smell. Just things you don't think about as a novice gardener until things start popping out of the ground or you start popping things into the ground (like the cucumber, watermelon and corn seeds - what the heck did I think they would look like, duh!)