The Best and Worst Cooks Benefit From Fresh Grown Herbs

by Cody A.
(Pittsburgh, PA,)

I planted my first herbs in a pot that I stuck in front of a south facing window in the early spring. It was sweet basil. I was a bit surprised when the plants popped up out of the soil. I don't remember if I actually used potting soil or bagged topsoil in the pot.

I planted them a bit early so I didn't think that the plant would get enough sun to really flesh out into a full grown yielding herb plant. I was wrong! I had more basil than I could use fresh but it is easily dried. When the plant was little, I did slide it under a small fluorescent plant lamp that was under one of the kitchen cabinets at night.

I'm still trying to figure a way to plant all of my favorite cooking herbs on the cheap, and keep them inside. Inside I don't have to worry about bolting, bugs, pesticides, animal urine, and a bunch of other yucky stuff that can happen to plants outside when you aren't looking.

Just a single plant of basil will make enough fragrance to make a kitchen smell wonderful even when nothing is cooking or baking. The scent from a basil plant is deliciously sweet, and so much better than one of those chemical fresheners that plug into the wall. I've always been concerned about the volatile organic compounds released by chemical air-fresheners.

Fresh basil in any recipe that calls for it can actually be tasted. Some of the store-bough junk just takes up space in a dish rather than imparting any real flavor. Plus by planting your own basil and other herbs, you can have the exact herb species that you want instead of relying on something from a manufacturer.

Just considering basil and not all of the other herbs, there are all kinds of basils to choose from. Find a favorite by growing a small planting of several types in small containers under a lamp. That kind of ingredient harvesting for your special recipes will make them impossible to duplicate by any friends or relatives who try to copy your dish. Unless the know what herbs you are using, and go through the trouble of growing them at home too.

The secret though is that growing herbs is easy. It's no trouble at all. Just give them some water and light.

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