Herbs Indoors

My cacti are surviving the worst of the weather under protective cover. The mother-in-laws tongue (Is it politically correct to call Sansevieria trifasciata that nowadays? ... probably not) has suffered with the frost and gone as limp as a soggy digestive biscuit dipped for too long in a hot cup of tea. 

The main reason, other than not covering it up well enough is that I just don’t have the room to put plants inside. The ledges are not really wide enough and anything larger than an egg cup gets caught on our clothing as we walk past leaving a soily mess on the floor. They also make cleaning the windows a very timely job  when they need moving out of the way(well once or twice a year when I get around to it) And that’s time I could be spending doing more important things like social networking or sleeping. There is space for putting frost hardy plants on the windowsills outside though so I probably should be looking there to expand.

Windowsills are the hidden spaces for growing all manner of things.  The National Trust estimates that there are 600 acres of growing space going to waste nationwide in the shape of unused window ledges. And with DEFRA statistics showing that one in three of us want to take up DIY food production, window boxes are the perfect way in for frustrated urban gardeners or nervous beginners.

Herbs Indoors and Out

I think herbs will do well on window ledges. Home grown herbs can transform your dinner, they are low maintenance, robust and high yielding, which means you can keep going back. Shop-bought alternatives are often transported long distances and are subjected to artificial light, which kills most of their flavour. The conditions in which supermarket herbs are kept reduce the plant's lifespan and results in wilted leaves. They're expensive too, with most pre-packaged herbs costing around 80 pence a pop. Growing your own saves you money and enhances the flavour of even the blandest of dishes. So how do you keep them growing? According to Jackie Day, herbalist and keen gardener, it's easier than you might think.

'My culinary herbs well and truly take their chances amongst the weeds and literally get hacked down with secateurs to keep them under control,' says Jackie. 'But, they seem to come back year after year. Herbs don’t generally need much in the way of fertilising and some do better in poor conditions but in window boxes I’d give them a bit of new soil or potting compost (but easy on the potting compost as it’s usually pretty rich in nutrients) each year. Aim for about 30 per cent new soil or compost.' Some herbs, including mint and lemon balm, can grow extremely prolifically so plant them in individual pots in order to prevent overcrowding.

Five Fabulous Herbs to Grow

Mint

Mint is almost as bad as ivy in the rampant growth stakes but if you plant it in moist, rich soil and hack it back regularly, you should be able avoid catastrophe. Wonderful first thing in tea form, it helps to improve digestion, and can be used to make a restorative essential oil.

Parsley

Parsley thrives with only a moderate amount of light. It calms the digestive system while also promoting good digestion. High in iron and vitamin C, it can help to reduce bloating thanks to its diuretic properties.

How to cook it: Try parsley pesto for a pleasant change from basil or use as a simple garnish.

Sage

With anti-catarrhal properties, it helps to remove mucus from the airways and boosts the digestive system. 'Sage is great for the brain,' says Jackie. 'Hence the use of the term 'sage' for knowledgeable people.'

How to cook it: Sage butter is perfect with pasta or used in risotto.

Rosemary

Plant it next to sage to help it flourish. A natural form of pest control, rosemary's insect-repelling properties benefit every plant in its vicinity. In humans, it helps to relieve headaches, muscular pain, neuralgia, and dyspepsia.

How to cook it: Rosemary tastes great on potatoes, pizza or in vinaigrettes.

Thyme

Thyme is best sown in shallow soil because of its tiny seeds. Extremely bee-friendly, it also helps to treat coughs and asthma by loosening phlegm from the bronchial tract. It's also a good remedy for indigestion and is a great liver cleanser.

How to cook it: Do it like the Greeks and season your lamb with fresh thyme for a fragrant feast.

There are plenty more herbs to choose from, buy good specimens or grow them from seed.