Grow Your Own Herbs

Simple ways to grow everyday herbs right in your kitchen.

Don’t have a green thumb but like the idea of home-grown herbs? Take heart, even if you have the blackest of thumbs, you’ll find growing herbs a simple and enjoyable project. All you need are good containers, soil, water and sunshine and you are ready to garnish your meals with fresh herbs!

Beauty and health go hand in hand. This is more so true of your garden when you use it to grow herbs along with the flowers. Herbs are a rich source of antioxidants, which neutralize harmful ingredients and fight cancer. For garden fresh herbs 24x7, you can grow your own herbs in your backyard or even in window boxes. 

Herbs are a great choice because they grow quickly either outside or on a sunny window sill. When you grow your own herbs you are assured pesticide-free herbs. You can grow coriander (dhania), cumin (jeera), fenugreek (methi), parsley, garlic chives, and mint (pudina). These plants do well when grown in close proximity to each other. They usually grow to a height of 18 inches. 

Some points to remember:

• Shelter coriander from gusty winds. These plants are fragile and need protection
   
• Mint needs moist soil to grow well.
   
• Cut off flower heads, unless you are growing them for seeds. If the plants are allowed to flower, the leaves become bare and lifeless.
   
• Sow seeds in rotation, so you have new plants every season.

How to grow plants

You will need:

• · Seed: parsley, basil, chives, or mint are good choices 
• · A saucer 
• · Potting mix or soil 
• · A pot, or put two or three holes in the bottom of a tub 
• · Small stones 

To plant and grow herbs:

1. Get a container: They can be terra cotta, plastic or metal with adequate drainage. You can grow three or four herbs in a 13-15 “ container or you can plant seeds in small containers and later transplant them to a big one.

2. Place several small stones in the bottom of the pot. Fill the pot with soil and place it on a saucer. There are many types of potting soil available, with different nutrients and fertilizers.

3. Sprinkle the seeds over the soil and cover with more soil. A simple method to plant seeds is to sink a straw in soil about ½ “ and pour the seeds into it, pull out the straw and then cover with soil.

4. Water lightly and keep the soil moist until the seeds start to grow.

5. Once the seed have grown to ½ “ and get their true leaves, its time to transplant them. Prepare the new container, by filling with soil, and creating a hole that will accommodate the transplant. In the old container, take a dull knife and gently run it around the outside of the dirt to loosen it, grasp the plant at soil level and turn the pot upside down, pulling very gently to release the plant from that container. Set the plant down into the hole in the new container. Press firmly into the new soil and cover with surrounding dirt. After all the plants have been moved, water the new container until soil is moist but not completely saturated. Keep in a warm area with ample sunlight, to help the plants adjust to their new home. 

6. Water when the soil is dry to the touch. 

7. Pinch or clip off the tops of herbs when you need some. They will grow back. 

How to use herbs:

· Toppings for salads 
· In meat and fish dishes
· Salad dressings 
· Sprinkle on vegetables 
· Add mint to fruit, yogurt, or ice milk.