Growing Herbs Indoors During Winter

Usually about this time of year I start getting antsy to play in the dirt. The snow is covering most everything, and what isn't covered is brown. Browsing seed catalogs is always a partial cure, but so is growing herb plants indoors. I don't have a bay window, or a sun room, but even my smaller windowsills will work for a few herbs, and I get to play in the dirt.

Clay pots work well for growing herbs inside because they drain well, and don't hold in the moisture too long like plastic pots tend to do. For smaller windowsills use smaller pots (at least 6 inches round) with only one herb per pot. If there is more room, such as a bay window, a 12 inch pot can hold several herbs. One combination that works well is a rosemary plant in the center of the pot, with two small parsley plants on one side and winter savory on the other. Another combination is a sage for the center and thyme, sweet marjoram and tarragon on the sides. These will grow well together and don't mind the close space.

Chives, whether garlic or traditional, are better grown in pots by themselves. Basil is best on it's own too, and has so many wonderful varieties that it makes it hard to grow just one type.

A nice way to use small pots on a windowsill is to line a long, thin tray with small stones or pebbles, then set the pots on top of the stones.

When looking for herbs to start now, check local garden departments for plants, or start herbs from seed. Dill, basil, and oregano are good choices, but try to buy varieties that are compact such as Globe basil or Fernleaf dill. It should describe it as such on the packet. Soil should always be a mix made for containers if possible. I usually pick up a bag from the local nursery or garden department at Walmart or Meijer.

Line the bottom of each pot with about an inch of small pebbles. I've often used aquarium stones and they work well. Top the stones with soil and sow the seeds as per the instructions on the packet. Water gently and place on the windowsill. This is a wonderful way to bring a little green into the house during winter.

On OFL I have an article on growing fresh ginger in a pot plus recipes:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/ginger.html

~Brenda

Harvesting and Caring for Lemon Balm

I haven't blogged about herbs lately and thought I would talk a bit about harvesting and caring for lemon balm today. I grow thyme, oregano, lemon balm, chives, lavender, calendula, catmint, sage, Lady's Mantle and bee balm. I actually grew more herbs in the city but had to leave them behind when we sold the house. I've been slowly adding more herbs each year.

Lemon balm is an herb I've grown for about ten years now. It's related to mint, which is important to remember because it grows much like mint in that it can easily become invasive. It will spread from the roots and from seed. Once it takes hold, like mint, it's hard to control. This is the only problem I've encountered in ten years. Lemon balm is a carefree plant, needing no fertilizer or extra watering. I've grown it in sun and shade with success in both locations.

Eleanour Sinclair Rohde, a well known and loved garden writer and herb expert, has this to say about lemon balm in her book Herbs and Herb Gardening written in 1936:

"Balm in rich, moist soil attains well over two feet, and a border of it, two feet wide, looks very handsome. "

"Young balm leaves cut up finely are a good addition to mixed salads, and balm tea made by pouring boiling water on two big handfuls of the leaves has a sweet and delicate taste."

Lemon balm is a sturdy and very hardy herb. It can be harvested often and cut almost to the ground before winter. It doesn't hold it's flavor well during drying, but if you add it to other herbs as part of a seasoning blend or tea, it adds a light lemon taste. I've used it for many years in herb vinegars, combining it with basil, thyme and oregano.

Fresh lemon balm can be used in sun tea or hot tea, as mentioned. It also adds a lovely flavor to roast chicken when stuffed in the cavity of the bird.

Lemon balm should be harvested before it's blooms to stop it from forming seeds. Keep it contained and dig up volunteers as soon as they pop up. The perfect location is one where it can roam free in its own small raised bed in partial shade with fertile soil. It can also be used as a ground cover with success.

One of the first herbs my daughter loved was lemon balm. She was only 3 years old, and would ask if she could pick a leaf to hold and smell because she loved the scent. Lemon balm will always have a place in my garden.

On OFL we have tips on growing and using rosemary, another favorite:

http://oldfashionedliving.com/rosemary2.html