Today, packaged asparagus, lemongrass, mint or suspiciously green coriander are easily available in the malls or retail counters. But there is nothing better than having a herb garden to call your own. And for many living in apartments, having a small herb garden is not as arduous task as you think. You could combine the aesthetically appealing and the useful and come up with your own herb garden with a little effort. They anyways need little space and care.
Herbs taste and smell better when freshly plucked. Horticulturists say most herbs grow in warm temperature and can also be treated as winter annuals. Herbs like fenugreek, cumin, coriander and mint can be grown in pots in the balcony or near window panes of kitchen, if space permits.
“Mint can be grown in open rich soil in areas which have ample sunlight. Root cuttings should be inserted in soil beds and by the second year, there will be dense growth. It is good if shoots are lifted in summer and replanted,” said PC Panda, horticulturist with Regional Plant Resource Centre.
Spinach grows quickly and can be sown in deeply dug soil. It needs a lot of manure though. The easiest one to grow of course is ‘Bhursunga Patra’ or the curry leaves. This aromatic plant, however, grows better in large containers and needs regular pruning.
Exotic herbs like Chinese Parsley, our good old Dhania or coriander, is very easy to grow. Grow coriander in flat containers or pots and leave them on the balcony. Partial shade gives best leaf growth. Harvest seeds when fruits change colour and become pleasantly aromatic. These can be dried and stored. These plants also form a pretty border to flower beds.
Basil has varied uses in Ayurveda. It can be propagated from seeds but should be protected from rains.
As for the exotic herbs like Thyme, Sage, Oregano, these can be grown in cool conditions. “These plants cannot stand excessive sunlight. Even Asparagus can be grown in seed beds or pots. One can source these herb plants from nurseries and grow them in their balconies,” says Dinesh Sahoo, a plant dealer at Bhubaneswar-based Siraj Nursery.
Spice and chillies
“Spices like garlic are propagated by cloves. It grows in mild climate and soil. The best part is its roots do not grow deep and light ploughing will suffice. Its sowing season is November,” he says.
If you are more ambitious with your herbal garden, try chillies. They can be sown from November and July in long deep pots or even gunny bags. “Resistant varieties are California Wonder, Polo Wonder and NP 46,” he adds.
Salad fresh
If you want your salad fresh from your garden, go for lettuce and tomato and grow them in containers. Lettuce needs rich, well regulated soil with good drainage and can be grown from seeds. Tomatoes are suited to warm weather, but cannot withstand excessive watering. Sow a pinch of seeds in large, deep containers.
