Grow leaf lettuces and herbs
in an old tool carrier for an
attractive and useful display.

Herbs at Hand

Few traditional outdoor plants are as easy to grow indoors as herbs. Raise them from cuttings or seeds. Place the plants in your sunniest window (preferably one facing south or east, where trees and buildings don't obstruct the light). A kitchen windowsill keeps the herbs within easy reach when cooking, and pots of herbs make great centerpieces in the dining room on a temporary basis. Some herbs, such as various mints, tarragon, and thyme, grow well in hanging plants. Mints tend to produce smaller leaves when you grow them indoors, but they are just as flavorful. Tarragon succeeds best if you make root divisions or take stem cuttings instead of digging up the whole plant from the garden and attempting to move it indoors.

 

Fill a narrow window box with
herbs. They will always be
handy for snipping into salads
and soups.

• Because most herbs are fairly drought-resistant, they grow well in pots, but when you combine two or three in the same container, they must be compatible in their moisture requirements.
• In heated homes during winter, mist around the plants frequently to circumvent the dry air, which leads to brown leaf tips and spider mites. Rosemary is particularly susceptible to the latter.
• Fertilize herbs once a month or incorporate a slow-release plant food in the soil before planting. Herbs produce the best flavor if you do not overfeed them.
• Give plants a quarter-turn weekly to expose all sides to the sun.