Herb Gardens on your window sill

Mar 11, 2015

by Helen Halpenny, Lanark County Master Gardeners

The snow may be piled high outside, but starting your garden indoors can happen right now. Come February, the light level begins to increase and a sunny windowsill can be the perfect place to get a head start on the gardening season. There is lots of time before mid-May to get herbs growing. The smell of basil, mint and thyme and the taste of fresh herbs is a harbinger of spring.

The seed racks at retail stores are filled with dozens of choices. Many herbs start well from seed while others are best grown from transplants. If your goal is to grow herbs that you can clip for culinary use or use as garnishes then the following suggestions may help. These favourites can be started now, indoors, and moved to the garden when the weather dictates. Most herbs will thrive in a sunny location.

Basil seeds are easy to grow indoors. The seed will germinate in one to two weeks in a warm location, such as on top of a fridge. When the sprouts show, move to a sunny window sill and keep the soil moist. Water with lukewarm water and fertilize every week with a half strength soluble fertilizer. Fresh basil has a wonderful smell and combines with tomatoes in any dish. As well as the common basil you might like to try ’purple ruffles’ or ‘cinnamon’ or a host of other varieties.

Mint is one of the easiest plants to grow. Since it travels quickly by root is can be invasive outdoors. It is best contained in a pot. It is quick to grow indoors and fun to watch the seedlings grow and to smell the fragrance.

Parsley is rather slow to germinate, sometimes taking three weeks to begin growth, but it is well worth the wait. To keep the soil moist it is best to cover the pot with a transparent cover while germination takes place. In a sunny window sill you can have parsley plants that look and taste great and when planting time comes, the plants will be well established to transplant into the garden. Outdoors, parsley will tolerate half-day shade. Curly parsley may be pretty for garnishing, but flat leafed parsley has the best flavour.

Oregano is a popular Mediterranean herb. Sow now for transplants that are good to transplant in May. Don’t cover the seeds with soil. Thin seedlings to give them space to grow. There are many varieties from which to choose. The entire plant is edible.

Chives can be grown indoors from seed, but I usually pot up a portion of a plant in fall, leave it in a cold place to give it a period of dormancy and bring it to bright window in February. It bounces into growth really quickly and its mild onion flavour enhances salads and such. Plant a few of your sprouting garlic cloves and use the greens for a mild garlic flavor.

These are but a few of the worthwhile experiments you can try to lift your spirits and enjoy gardening even though winter continues.

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