Growing your own herbs is a hobby that can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Not only do they have a time-honored place in history--culinary and otherwise--but growing them indoors or out can be done with relatively little hassle, and is perfect for a beginning gardener. Even those with limited space can achieve a robust and bountiful garden, and enhance their cooking with homegrown flavor that is far superior to that which is dried and packaged. Following is a list of some common choices with both information on the plant itself, and advice on how to properly cultivate it. Keep in mind that these are only a few of the options out there, and your garden is only limited by your imagination.
Basil: An integral part of Italian and Thai cuisine, among others, basil is flavorful with a pleasant fragrant scent, and relatively easy to grow. Basil is best planted in moist soil during the spring or early summer; the most important factor is that the plant receives plenty of sunlight. Therefore, it is possible to grow it on a windowsill, provided it receives enough sun. It is important to regularly harvest your basil beginning about 6 weeks after planting, as young leaves will be the most flavorful, and overly leafy basil may become bland.
Peppermint: Much like basil, peppermint is best suited for moist soil. It is commonly known as a culinary ingredient, and the leaves are excellent for flavoring teas and cocktails. Peppermint leaves may also be chewed, and enjoyed simply on their own. It is well-suited for indoor or outdoor growth, due it its ability to flourish in shade or sunlight. It is among one of the most easy herbs to grow, though it is important not to overwater it--after the initial planting, you should allow the soil to become dry before watering it again.
Rosemary: Known for producing fragrant leaves that are excellent for use in cooking meat or infusing oils, rosemary is best grown in warm weather. However, it may be grown year-round, provided it is transported inside during the winter months. Making sure your rosemary has the proper amount of light indoors is additionally vital. The best way to ensure that your plant will not die after relocation is to place it in partial shade for its last few weeks spent outside for the year. This way it will be more accustomed to the lower light levels indoors. Of course, rosemary may also be grown indoors year round, although it may best flourish under a grow light. It may be harvested at will when the stems are full.
Catnip: Although your pet may derive the most satisfaction from your choice in planting catnip, it can still be an enjoyable part of your garden. Due to its ability to reach heights of a few feet, it is not recommended you grow catnip indoors. It is also best suited for a space at the back of your garden. While younger catnip plants can be quite attractive, more mature plants tend to take on a scraggly look. Catnip will grow well without an abundance of sunlight, and is therefore suited to most outdoor environments.
Copyright (c) 2012 Lizzie Simmonds
