Thoughts from an Epicure: Now is the time to plant an indoor herb garden

March has been an interesting month, one day feeling like April, the next few like May, before jumping back to March.

Many of us are ready to start our gardens. However, Mother Nature says, “Not yet.” But we who grow and use herbs, can start now to plant an indoor herb garden.

Growing your favorite herbs in pots is easy and handy for using them in your cooking. To grow them inside, all you need is a sunny window, plus supplies available at most home and garden stores. Depending upon the size of the plants you want, get 4-inch or 6-inch plastic or clay pots. The advantage of plastic is you don’t have to water as often. Yet, I prefer clay with saucers under them.

Along with pots, you’ll want potting soil and herb seeds. If you never have grown them from seeds, instructions are printed on most potting soil bags. I don’t use fertilizer on my plants or anywhere on our property. If you have good soil and a little water for seedlings, you don’t need fertilizer.

Buy seeds only for the herbs you’ll use and plants that don’t get too large. If you have a big enough area on your deck, get a couple of larger pots and plant whatever you want. Just remember that when fall comes, you may not have room inside for big pots. So, in a large one, plant something like mint or sage.

They’re perennials and will come back next spring. Also, consider chives. I keep two or three pots each year. In winter, I put one outside for a couple of weeks to freeze. Then, when I bring it back inside and water it, I have fresh chives.

Enjoy, stay safe, and have fun planting!

The rest of you, please send your suggestions or questions for this column  directly to guthrielarason@verizon.net.

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