Herbs: Beyond the Usual
Insider's Garden : Episode TIG-104 -- More Projects »
Do your recipes need resuscitation? Discover exotic herb varieties that will breathe new life into ordinary dishes. Tony Kienitz, author of The Year I Ate My Yard, offers tips on growing and caring for some unusual indoor herbs:
A wonderful plant to have on hand in the kitchen, ginger adapts well to indoor growing conditions. Many herbs are short and bushy, but ginger is a tall, slender plant. Purchase a ginger rhizome (figure A) from the supermarket during the spring when it's fresh, and plant it in a container filled with potting soil (figure B). Place the pot in a location with direct sunlight. Once the growth reaches 12" height, harvest the rhizome for cooking.
When choosing which indoor herbs to grow, consider more than flavor. Many herb varieties feature interesting textures and exciting colors, such as the fuzzy leaves of sage (figure C) or the bright green and burgundy foliage of the tri-colored sage (figure D).
An attractive and edible plant, miniature basil (figure E) offers lots of options, both fresh and dried, in everything from tea to pasta. Encourage new plant growth by frequently pinching and trimming your basil; the more you pinch off or trim away, the more plant growth will occur.
Allspice (figure F), a herb native to the U.S., produces a berry that's used to flavor pumpkin pies. With fragrant leaves that also enhances exotic recipes such as Jamaican jerk chicken, allspice is a versatile herb perfect for growing in the kitchen. Lemon verbena (figure G) also features scented foliage that can be added to salads, ice cream and tea. Lemon verbena can grow quite large if left unattended, but it will naturally die back in the winter.
To replant your indoor herbs, loosen the plant and remove it from the container. Pinch the roots to encourage spreading (figure L). Fill the new pot almost half way full of potting soil. Place the herb in the center of the pot, holding it upright (figure M). Add soil around the plant to fill in any gaps. Sprinkle an organic fertilizer around the base of the herb, and water well.Most indoor herbs grow best in a location with bright, filtered light such as a south- or west-facing windowsill. Herbs in small containers tend to dry out quickly, so be sure to check the soil conditions, and if needed, water more often.
Caution: Remember that when you are growing herbs to eat, use only organic treatments. Pesticides are easily absorbed into herbs and may be harmful to your health.
Resources ceramic containersCottura
Website:
www.cottura.com Guests Tony Kienitz
Vegetare, Edible Landscaping
1785 N. Los Robles
Pasadena, Ca 91104
Phone: 626-791-4047
E-mail:
vegetare@earthlink.net Also in this Episode
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