Summer on the Sill (growing herbs indoors)
Recipe for Category Food Tips, Hints & Articles
Contributed by Jennifer Peachey
Brian Minter states, in his book the "New Gardening Guide," that growing herbs indoors is not easy but is worth the effort. After a summer of fresh herbs, I want to at least try to grow herbs indoors this year -- a first for me.
The difficult part, living here in the Okanagan, is the lack of light. To grow herbs you need an east or north window with good indirect light. In the middle of winter, however, you need to supplement that light. For best results, the lighting needs to be kept on for 14 to 16 hours a day. Don Burnett at Bylands Nursery recommends keeping the light a steady 4 to 6 inches from the top of the plant, moving the light as required as the plant grows. A full-spectrum light is best and costs $11.99 at Lights Plus. I think it will be worth the expense.
Herbs should be grown in small containers to keep them rootbound. A well-drained potting soil is also important. Thorough waterings and weekly feedings of a 20-20-20 solution or an organic fish fertilizer will keep the herbs green and growing. According to "Gardening in Your Apartment," by Gilly Love, some of the best herbs to grow indoors are basil, chives, sweet marjoram, rosemary, parsley, and mint.
These fresh herbs can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used as a beautiful garnish, in cooked dishes, fresh in salads, dried, or stored in oil or vinegar. Basil is the main ingredient in Basil Pesto and can be served with pasta or stew (see Fall Vegetable Stew in the Soups and Stews category). Parsley can be a quick breath freshener or add a sophisticated flavour to soups and stews. Chives can be continously trimmed with scissors and added to cooked dishes just before serving. Rosemary is an unusual but dramatic addition to creamy soups. Mint can be used in curries, chutneys and salads. Sweet Marjoram can be used to season just about anything. The possibilities seem endless.
Growing herbs indoors is like having a miniature fresh garden at your finger tips. I'm planning on having a successful summer harvest on my windowsill all winter. I hope I have inspired you to do the same.
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