A Guide to Windowsill Herbs for Culinary Use
Whether you’re a seasoned chef looking to grow your own or a budding gardener interested in easy-to-grow plants to add to their windowsill, culinary herbs are a great choice. Herbs are incredibly flavourful and can completely transform any given dish. Not to mention, they can spruce up a meal without the addition of added calories or salt. Growing your own herbs can take a bit of time and effort to get right, but once you get the knack for it, you will never look back. Here is a short guide to different types of culinary herbs for your windowsill.
Fennel
Fennel is a flowering plant that can be used in many different ways. Once grown, the fronds can add flavor to a dish, the bulb is delicious when sauteed or roasted, and even the seeds can be toasted and used to spice up a meal. This plant requires a large container and a good amount of sunshine. It needs temperatures of around 21 degrees to germinate and 6 hours of sunlight to grow. Happy Valley Seeds is an online vendor that stocks a large variety of seeds. They are based in Sydney, but they provide handy delivery services all over Australia.
Basil
Basil is a household favorite that is essential to Italian cuisine. However, other basil varieties, such as Thai, lemon, and sweet basil, taste great and are often added to various Asian dishes. Basil is great for beginners. It just needs indirect, bright sunlight. Make sure the soil is moist, and simply snip off the tips as and when needed in order for more edible leaves to grow.
Parsley
Parsley is one of those herbs that you either love or hate. However, it is a versatile herb that can be added to diverse dishes. Not only will it add a strong flavor to food, but parsley also acts as a natural breath freshener when chewed. Parsley seeds require a little preparation before planting. The seeds should be soaked in a dishwashing liquid and warm water mix for about an hour. After the hour is up, rinse the seeds in clean, warm water before soaking them for one day in freshwater. After 24 hours, allow the seeds to fully dry before planting. Plant the seeds inside a 15cm pot with potting soil and keep them out of direct sunlight.
Mint
Mint is a useful herb to have around the house. It can be used in food and beverages for a fresh flavor and is known to soothe digestive problems, reduce bad breath, and decrease inflammation. To grow, simply plant one or two seeds in potting soil inside a 15cm pot and display it on a sunny windowsill.
Chives
Chives is another low maintenance, easy to grow plant that can be added to various types of dishes. It has a mild flavor akin to the onion and is often used as a flavor-enhancing garnish. Unlike many other herbs, once planted, chive seeds need to be placed in a dark place until seedlings appear. Keep the temperature to 21 degrees, then place the chives in a warm, bright location once sprouted.
