Every good cook knows there’s no substitute for fresh herbs when it comes to making any dish taste its best. You’ll find fresh herbs in plastic packs at the grocery, but they’re pricey and have a short shelf life in your frig. You can have truly fresh herbs available year around, ready to be snipped as needed, with an indoor herb garden. If you have a sunny windowsill, there are many culinary herbs which may be grown with little effort, ready to include in your dish of the day.
The flavor and aroma of herbs doesn’t get any fresher. You’ll notice the difference. You’ll need to use a little more of the fresh herbs than when using dried herbs. With an indoor herb garden, you can snip as you please, right into the pot for a flavor that can’t be beat. Snipping the top leaves gives a boost to your herb plant as well. A trim now and then promotes new growth.
An indoor herb garden can provide you with a fresh supply of your favorites all year long. Some of the most common culinary herbs are good candidates for potting. Sage, basil, tarragon, rosemary, thyme, chives and parsley grow easily in an indoor herb garden, provided a sunny spot, a little water and occasional fertilizing.
Growing herbs from seed can be difficult and time consuming. Give yourself a head start on your indoor herb garden by visiting the nursery in spring. By the time summer comes, your choices will be fewer. Most nurseries stock a variety of herbs in two or four inch pots, ready to take home and enjoy.
Most herbs do well in regular potting soil. Be sure your plants have good drainage. Line each drain tray with a layer of pebbles and then set the pot on top. This ensures your herbs don’t have “wet feet”, which most herbs dislike.
Some fresh herbs, like basil, taste entirely different from the dried version. There’s nothing better than a garden tomato sliced into wedges and dressed with fresh basil. This combination is a match made in heaven.
Freshly chopped chives are a favorite topping for a baked potato and sour cream. French tarragon has a very complex taste and is delicious with fish, seafood and game meats. How about some roasted potatoes sprinkled with rosemary from your own garden? You’ll find yourself using herbs more readily when you’ve got an indoor herb garden right in your kitchen!
Once you’ve tasted the difference fresh herbs make in any dish, you’ll never want to give up your indoor herb garden. In fact, you may run out of space on the windowsill!