Herb Garden for the Gourmet
by Riccardo Calder
http://www.yaherbs.com
The best recipes call for fresh herbs rather than their
dried equivalents that are found on the spice aisle in the
grocery store. Fresh herbs add a delightful flavor and
zest to foods that just doesn~t compare to dried spices to
the trained palette. What is the ardent gourmet cook to
do when the plebian local grocery store caters to only the
mediocre taste buds? Consider growing your own herbs
indoors, of course! If you want that just right flavor
and aroma for your gourmet dishes, it~s worth a little
extra effort to have your own supply of completely fresh
herbs.
While herbs add a delicate flavor to foods, herbs are far
from delicate plants; in fact some herbs are so prolific
that they are given the term "invasive" in gardening
terminology, meaning they will take over an area of the
garden. It is really quite simple to grow herbs indoors
for your own use. Start with a variety of flower pots.
Take the time to select some pretty pots that go well with
your household d~cor; your herbs can add interest to both
your food and your surroundings. Small to medium size pots
work best for herbs and make sure that the pots have
drainage holes in the bottom. Buy some potting soil and
follow the directions on the bag for preparing the soil for
planting.
Once you decide which herbs are your favorites, you can give
these plants a try. To start out a herbal garden, you can
choose some of the more common varieties: basil, sage,
chive, thyme and rosemary. Some places to purchase your
seed packets are from your local greenhouse or nursery.
When local garden centers are closed, purchase of seed
packets are always available online. Follow the package
directions to make sure your planting the tiny seeds
correctly and not too deep.
The windowsill in not always the best place to put your herb
plants. While these plants will get plenty of sun, they
will also be harmed by a cold climate. These flowerpots
should be placed someplace that gets a minimum of 6 to 8
hours every day. When the soil feels dry to the touch,
water your herbs. If you have a difficult time determining
when to water your plant, purchase a thermometer-like device
for your plant from a garden center. The device is simple
to use: place it in the soil and it reads if your type of
plant needs water or not. To catch draining water through
the pot~s drain holes, put a plastic drip pan under your
flowerpots.
Remember, just about anyone can grow a Chia pet. So you
too can grow your own herbs. When the plants have grown,
simply snip the amount of fresh herb that you need with
your kitchen scissors. Your favorite gourmet dishes that
you so carefully prepare from scratch will turn out even
tastier with your own home-grown herbs.
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