Kitchen window herbs
It’s still cold out … too cold for those more delicate summery herbs. Choose a windowsill and grow them inside until the warm weather has arrived and heavy downpours are less likely. Then they can be transplanted out. Growing your own herbs is cheaper than buying, and it’s easy. Here are a few tips to get you started:
● They will all need a light spot, otherwise they will become leggy. If you are growing Mediterranean types such as rosemary, sage, oregano and basil they will also need sun; a north-facing windowsill is ideal. Herbs such as mint, parsley, chives and thyme are less fussy.
● Keep cutting and harvesting rosemary, basil and oregano so they don’t get too big. Plant in the garden when that happens — from spring onwards. Trimming your plants regularly will help keep them bushy. If leggy, cut them back hard and give them a feed. ● Plant herbs into a mix of compost and potting mix which should provide nutrients for a couple of months. Boost fortnightly with liquid fertiliser.
● Choose a deep pot, placing scoria or bits of broken china into the bottom for drainage. Choose a pot that will allow for growth, about 15cm-20cm is good.
● You can plant more than one type of herb if your pot is big enough. However, bear in mind that not all will grow happily together: chives, mint, chervil, coriander and basil need moist soil and rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaves and oregano like it well drained. Water them when the soil feels dry. ● If growing parsley from seed, soak it first in warm water to crack the seed coating. Plant into a largish pot. Otherwise buy seedlings grown in individual pouches. When picking, harvest the outer leaves first. And give it enough water. Too dry and parsley will go to seed.
● Rotate frequently to stop plants growing one way towards the light.
● Give them a boost with sunlight through regular outings to the garden.
● Don’t overwater them and be sure to empty the saucers at the bottom of the pots so your herbs do not become waterlogged.
● Pinch out flowers which will inhibit leaf growth.
Nestle those herbs into this striped ceramic planter (left) which would look as good indoors as out.
It comes in a range of sizes and shapes, $19.90 for 16.5cm high. Large metal herb scissors, $15.50, both from French Country Collections. Get the herbs started in this kitchen appropriate ceramic teacup planter (with drainage hole) and matching saucer, $14.99, from Trade Aid.