Living with Herb
canister, Italian parsley looks
good enough to eat right from
the table.
Dried herbs start to lose their potency after a few months, but fresh herbs are always flavorful. Parsley goes with just about anything, but is particularly happy in pasta dishes. Rosemary is yummy with chicken, lamb, or roasted potatoes. Keep the canisters in a sunny spot between meals and make sure the soil never completely dries out.
Tea Leaves
used to hang low-voltage lights,
but you can use them for indoor
gardening as well.
Trade the java buzz for a more mellow mood. Fresh herbs, such as English mint, peppermint, and chamomile, can be clipped directly into steaming-hot water for a naturally decaffeinated brew. We planted our tea garden in thrift shop Fire King cups and saucers. You'll need to drill a hole in the bottom of each cup for drainage. (A jeweler's bit is best for this.) The tightwire suspension (right) is made from two plastic-coated cables (available at home improvement stores). Place the plants where they'll get plenty of sun. To make tea, boil water, pour it into cups, and drop in a few leaves. Steep for three minutes. Mint is known for its rejuvenating powers. Chamomile is a tummy soother and sleep inducer, as Peter Rabbit discovered after stuffing himself in Mr. McGregor's garden.
Thyme For Toast
gardens.
If your toaster is toast, yank out the electrical innards; the stainless steel shell makes a retro-style planter. We love the citrusy flavor of fresh lemon thyme, so we removed the crumb door and threaded a small plant (still in its grower's plastic pot) through each of the toaster slots. (Prop the pots on a brick or two placed inside the toaster to achieve the right height.) When we have thyme on our hands, we toast bruschetta or focaccia and top with olive oil and fresh lemon thyme leaves.
