Enhance your cooking with homegrown herbs
by MARY HANNA

Nothing will enhance the flavor of your food like fresh herbs. Fresh herbs have intense flavor that makes even the plainest meal sing. Because of the high prices of herbs in markets, why not consider growing your own? They are pretty plants, with the added benefit of being used in your culinary delights. With just a few good tips and techniques, you will be using fresh herbs in your food picked straight from your herb container garden.

First, you want to choose the right containers for your herb garden. Small pots or plastic will do just fine. If you want the containers to fit into your decor, terra cotta or ceramic pots are perfect. The most important aspect of the pot is the drainage; the container must have adequate drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Herbs do not like to have "wet feet." If the roots are too wet, your plant will be damaged and die. To stop loss of soil through the drainage holes, line the pot with a coffee filter.

If you are a novice to an herb container garden, on your first attempt try oregano, rosemary, basil, sage, chives or thyme. These herbs will grow slowly but steadily in small spaces and are great choices when starting out.

The next step, after you have chosen what to grow, is to purchase seeds or seedlings for your herb container garden. All plants need good soil, and your herbs will need it, too. Purchase a light soil and mix in some vermiculite to help with drainage. Herbs are not very persnickety about the soil, but for best results, use good potting soil. Soil, light and water are essential to your herb container garden.

Don't use harsh chemicals; remember, you will be eating your herbs.

Harvesting your herbs is relatively simple, especially if they are on your kitchen counter. Most of the time, you can just pinch off the amount you wish to use in your cooking. However, they will need periodic clipping. Basil especially needs to be pinched back to encourage it to grow bushy. Also with basil, pinch off the flowers to keep the plant producing leaves. You can do many things with the herbs from your herb container garden, including freezing them, drying them or simply giving them to your family or friends. If you know someone who is an aspiring chef, a gift of fresh herbs will be mightily appreciated.

An herb container garden will surely spice up your life and enhance your culinary dishes. Gather your supplies and get started.

Happy Herb Container Gardening! Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.