Herbs at Your Fingertips

While you’re taking advantage of all the fresh fruits and veggies out there, try ditching the dried stuff in the spice rack and using fresh herbs too. The best way to have your own ready supply is to grow then at home. And don’t worry if you don’t have garden space in the yard, a windowsill herb garden adds a lovely touch to any kitchen. 

Start with a sunny windowsill. The ideal window would be south or southwest facing, away from drafts, and gets at least six hours of sun per day. If you don't have a reliably sunny window, you can install suitable plant lighting. Basil, mint, dill, cilantro, chives, oregano, parsley, lavender, rosemary, and thyme are all good selections for a windowsill garden. You’ll want to decide whether to start from seed or purchase small plants. Annual herbs are easy to start from seed.

For perennial herbs, it’s often easier to start with plants because they take longer to germinate. If starting seeds, fill container with commercial seed-starting mix or potting soil, or an even combination of the two, designating individual pots for each herb so each plant can be given the specific conditions it needs to flourish. Check seed packets to determine planting depth. If you want to a variety of herbs in a single container, make sure they all have the same requirements to grow. It’s important to know what conditions each plant needs; for example, basil prefers warmth, while sage and rosemary thrive in cooler temperatures. Make sure all containers have drainage holes and waterproof saucers. Water your herbs to keep soil moist but not soggy, and drain saucers after watering. Feed with a half-strength solution of all-purpose fertilizer monthly. To avoid damage to foliage, make sure to keep leaves from touching windows. 

Once plants are at least six inches tall, don’t be afraid to use them. Snip and use your herbs frequently to encourage their growth. The more you snip, the fuller and bushier they'll become, so here’s to fresh chives on your potatoes, fresh dill to garnish your cooked fish, fresh oregano in your spaghetti sauce, fresh rosemary in your breakfast potatoes, and fresh parsley garnishing your cheese omelet. Enjoy!