Herbs are the most important component in all sorts of savory dishes; be it stews, barbecues, soups or pastas. You can create your favorite dishes using fresh aromatic herbs even in harsh and cold winter season by growing these herbs indoors.

There are many herb varieties that can be grown indoors during the winter season. You can grow them in pots or containers and place them on the kitchen window sill where they are easily accessible. Apart from pots and containers, you can also grow them in railing planters.

Most of the herbs can be propagated through seeds. However; seed germination during cold winter season is tricky so it advisable to buy herb plants from the market and plant them indoors. You can also transplant herbs indoors that are already growing in your garden.  They can also be grown from plant cuttings. Herbs generally do not take a lot of time to mature. They are ready for harvest in about 3-4 weeks. Make sure to put them in a sunny spot or near windows that receive ample sunlight and grow them in rich potting soil.

Try using herbs more regularly in your cooking as frequent harvest will encourage the plant to produce more leaves. It will also enhance the taste and flavor of your food. Some common herbs that can be grown indoors during winter season include Rosemary, Sage, Oregano, Mint, Marjoram, Chives and Parsley. All these are wonderful aromatic herbs have a pleasant fragrance. They can add a hint of pleasing scent in the indoor environment and can also enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen or other rooms where they are placed. So, go ahead and plant these amazing herbs your kitchen this season…

There are many reasons to grow your own herbs, but the best ones are, you know where your herbs have come from and what has been used to fertilize them. You don't have to pay the high prices for fresh herbs in the grocery store, and you can have herbs all year. Herbs can be grown inside or out and don't need a lot of room. Depending on the herb and your taste you can use them as potpourri. Use the right combination and you can even use them on your fruit and deserts.

Putting some fresh thyme and rosemary in the oven at a low temp. And your house will smell wonderful, if you want a sweeter smell mint is another good way to make your house smell homey. If you love the smell of an Italian restaurant then you can roast oregano, thyme, basil, and parsley in the oven at 100 to 125 degrees, I use this trick for parties and some people use it when they have open houses.

A Rosemary bush is a good herb to plant in your yard because not only does it make pork and chicken taste wonderful but you can add it to mango salsa, red gravy, and BBQ sauce to name a few. Rosemary is also a great way to get the smell of onions off your hands I found this out by accident when I was cutting some off the bush to add to the baked fish I was cooking. The Rosemary bush can be planted in a planter, this is best if you live in an area where the winters are cold, this makes it easier to bring it inside so that you can have this fresh herb If you live in a warmer climate then you can plant it outside either way you all year long will want to trim it about once a year to keep it under control. This is when you can dry it so you can give it to your friends and family as a present.

Depending on how much room you have and the size of your family will depend on the size of your herb garden. If you live in an apartment or you rent a house having your herbs in pots makes moving a lot easier. Having your herbs in pots is also a good idea if you have pets or live in a rural area this way you can keep them from eating them. Flower boxes are a good idea if you live in the city just make sure you clean them really well to get all the fumes off of them.

Most people like to rely on the old favorites but you should try different herbs and combination of them to give your taste buds a surprise. You can get these different types of herbs on the web you may even be able to find them at your local home improvement store, but be careful the seeds you buy may be from last year, and if they weren't stored properly then you may not get the results that you want. The seedlings that you see in your local home improvement store may contain pesticides that aren't organic. The word organic can mean different thing to different companies this is because organic food isn't really regulated by the government. Getting the more unusual herbs you want will require you going online especially if you don't have a farmers market or an organic supermarket.


Going to the grocery store for dried herbs can get very expensive and with all the mixes on the market who knows what preservatives there are in them. With your own herb garden you can not only make your own mixes but you can make them for your friends and family. Put the mix in sandwich bags that have a zip top add your favorite recipe and you have a perfect gift for any occasion. For your own use inexpensive pepper and salt shakers are a good way to keep track of your entire herb mixes just make sure you label them.

I like to organize my herbs the ones I use most are in the front and the special ones are in the back. The special ones are the herbs that I use for special dishes or for garnishes. Using insects instead of pesticides is a more environment friendly way to grow your herbs. Not only do some insects help keep other insects at bay but they also help pollinate your herbs. If you're lucky you may even see some butterflies. If you want to save room in your yard and on your grocery bill you can plant your herbs in between your vegetables this way you can rotate your garden to keep your land fresh.

Herbs can be used in many different ways cooking and aromatics are only two of them, another way to use herbs is for medical reasons. If you want to use herbs for this reason you need to be careful some herbs can be poisonous in large amounts and some can have savior side effects if taken with certain meds, if you're not sure if the herbs you want to take will interfere with your meds then you need to ask your doctor if it's ok. You will also want to find a reputable website or book to find the right dosage for you.

However you use your gardens herbs you want to make sure you wash and don't use pesticides them. Washing gets rid of dirt, bugs and other impurities that may be in your garden. Pesticides can not only be harmful but can also alter the taste of your herbs if it's not washed off properly. The whole point of herbs is to try new things and mix it up a little.

For a small vegetable, garlic sure has a big reputation.

Garlic does not bring good luck or ward off vampires, but it can transform any meal into an aromatic and healthy culinary experience. Garlic (from the allium family) is a cousin to onions, leeks and chives, which is why it is known for its pungent punchy flavour and fragrance.

  What’s That Smell…?

When garlic cloves are chewed, crushed or cut, they release a sulphur-bearing compound called allicin – the chemical that gives garlic its pungent taste and smell. And it’s the allicin that is thought to be responsible for garlic’s therapeutic qualities.

Apart from the eye-watering bite, garlic reeks when eaten raw. Too much is even bad for your digestion. This is something to consider particularly when you’re meeting clients, about to get kissed or visiting God’s place of worship to pray.

Consideration for others and good hygiene is the message here. Garlic breath is a no-brainer so use common sense and don’t overdo it.

Origins

Garlic grows as a “bulb” head, averaging about 2-3 inches in size and consists of numerous small separate cloves.

Both the cloves and the entire bulb are encased in paper-like coats that can be coloured off-white or have a pinkish hue.

To remove, use a small knife to peel the skins, drop the cloves into boiling then cold water to shock them or (and this is my favorite method), bang each clove with the flat side of a knife/rolling-pin against a chopping board and pick the skins off.

Garlic is native to central Asia and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region. Garlic is grown globally, but according to the United States Department of Agriculture (2006), China is by far the largest producer of garlic, with approximately 10.5 million tonnes grown annually, accounting for over 77% of world output. India (4.1%) and South Korea (2%) follow, with Egypt and Russia (1.6%) tied in fourth place

Cooking

The papery, protective layers of “skin” over garlic are generally discarded for cooking although garlic is best roasted whole in the oven, skins and all intact.

Garlic is a wonderful seasoning to breads, soups and meat dishes. It can be added at the first stage to a recipe, crushed or ground to a paste and fried in a little oil. Or it can be grated at the end of cooking process to retain the maximum flavour and nutrition.

Roast whole cloves with potatoes and chicken until they’re charred and soft; for garlic bread just rub a sliced clove onto a halved baguette and drizzle in olive oil before grilling.

Health Benefits Of Garlic

Garlic’s antibacterial and antiviral properties are perhaps its most legendary feature.

If you feel a the flu virus attacking eat a raw clove or two knowing that it’ll beat the virus faster than prescribed medicine. Of course don’t munch on garlic as is—unless you’re happy with that—thinly slice it, eat it with toast or chop in halves and gulp down with water like a pill.

This vegetable has been studied not only for its benefits in controlling infection by bacteria, but also infection from other microbes including yeasts and fungi.

Our red blood cells use molecules from garlic called polysulfides to produce hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). This in turn helps our blood vessels expand and keep our blood pressure in check.

Other benefits from just one clove a day will top your body’s supply of:

Vitamin C – for tissue growth and repair

Vitamin B6 – important for metabolism and immunity

Selenium, iron, calcium and manganese minerals

There are people who are allergic to garlic so be kind and ask before cooking for others.

Note: Don’t microwave garlic as this kills its active ingredients.

GREENBO re-visited!

You might remember earlier this year that I talked about a product that was new to the home garden design market. It's called Greenbo, and I'm pleased to announce I've just added Greenbo to my own balcony!

The distinctive 'G' in the trademarked Greenbo logo is a stylish and subtle addition to the product. Constructed in 100% weather resistant resin, the high grade Polypropylene material is light weight with increased strength and a range of 10 designer colours that will last for years. I'm the proud owner of a Greenbo 'planter' in black and plan on adding a couple of the GPR30 model smaller planters, possibly in the vibrant orange....although I love the turquoise....and the green....mmm....and the red!...for the full product review CLICK HERE