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The benefits of having a windowsill herb garden are numerous. The act of tending to the garden is relaxing and rewarding. The ability to add fresh herbs to one's cooking gives even the simplest dishes a richer, more elegant taste and presentation.

General Tips

Growing an indoor herb garden is easier than one might think. Most of the plants will grow best with strong sunlight, so a southern windowsill is the best choice. An eastern facing window will also work well.

It's inadvisable to over-fertilize these little plants as that will dilute their flavor, which undermines the entire purpose of having the garden. Fertilizers that have a controlled release of nutrients or slowly decompose are the best options for growing the most flavorful herbs.

The wetness of the soil also directly impacts their flavor. Soil that is too wet reduces the intensity of their flavor. However, different varieties require different types of soil, which means there are different watering needs. The amount and frequency of watering also depends on the weather. The hotter and drier the weather, the more they'll need watering.

Regardless of how much watering is good for any specific herb, they all should be in pots with good drainage. They do need enough water to moisten the soil at least six inches down, but it's not good for them to sit in water.

The most flavorful part of the plant is its newest leaves. Therefore, one shouldn't let the plant grow too long without pinching off the top leaves. Even if they're not going to be used in cooking, keeping the tips fresh will ensure that the most succulent part of the herb will be used when one is ready to cook with it.

The other advantage to pinching of the tops of each plant regularly, even if not cooking with them at the time, is that this releases their fragrance into the air. This is just another benefit to having a windowsill garden.

Best Choices for a Windowsill Garden

Here are some popular flavors for cooking that are also easy to grow:

- Rosemary

Rosemary is great with chicken and fish. The best way to start is with a clipping from another rosemary plant in a potting mixture that doesn't contain soil. Once the clipping sprouts roots, then transfer it to a pot with soil.

- Basil

This sweet herb is a great addition to salad dressings and pastas. It's also a great tea for upset stomachs. Start basil from seeds in the soil recommended on the seed package.

- Sage

This Mediterranean herb likes a particularly dry atmosphere with lots of sunshine. It has a sweet, savory flavor that works well with fattier foods like cheeses and pork. It also makes a lovely addition to the windowsill garden because of the purple-grayish sheen of its leaves.

- Thyme

A mild version from the mint family, thyme has a slightly pungent taste. Lemon thyme has a more obvious citrus flavor without being too strong. An indoor thyme plant is best started by planting the soft tip of full grown plant in soil to take root of its own.

- Parsley

Parsley adds good flavor to any dish. It can be started either by planting seeds or potting a clipping from a grown plant. It needs a lot of sun, so will grow more slowly without southern exposure.

Lizzie Simmonds has been growing her own food for over 15 years. For easy fruit & veg growing tips and advice, Lizzie suggests signing up for the Woolly Green Weekly, a great source of gardening chat, products, offers and competitions. Woolly Green is a new website, for people who like to garden as a bit of an antidote to their otherwise busy lives.

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