By Nancy E. Hafer, MS, RD, LD Spring breezes carry the refreshing scents of tender new blossoms from fruit trees and perennial flowers. But how can you make your house smell as sweet on the inside? Start an indoor herb garden for an aromatic atmosphere and some fresh ways to spice up your kitchen.
Bountifully Healthy Beauty
Growing herbs on a windowsill or sunny table is a healthy way to freshen up your house. Plants use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, which is perfect for "spring cleaning" our indoor stale air.
These lush greens also offer a cost-effective, convenient alternative to fresh herbs from the supermarket. And adding a sprinkling of fresh herbs to foods provides a hefty dose of phytochemicals and antioxidants for immune support, which help reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.
A Simple Start
To get started, plant two or three of your favorite herbs at a time. Some of the easiest herbs to grow indoors are parsley, sage, thyme, mint, basil, oregano, and chives. You can also purchase herbs that already have been potted from a local garden center and transfer them to your garden.
Sowing Savory Seeds
To grow herbs from seeds, place a soilless mixture in peat pots and saturate the potted mix in a small bowl filled with water. Bury the seeds to a depth three to four times their diameter. Planting seeds deep in the pot protects the seeds from being washed away as you water them. To prevent messy leaks, slip a clear plastic bag over the bottom of the pot and place the pot on a saucer. Then place in a sunny spot and watch the seedlings sprout and grow!
Herb cuttings also easily sprout if you cut a 6-inch stem, remove the leaves at the bottom, and place in water in a sunny window until roots develop. Then transplant into a soil-filled pot in a sunny location. Remember to fertilize and trim herbs periodically to help them branch and grow. Then enjoy the convenience, aroma, and nutrition of fresh herbs all year long!