Want to know how to make an Urban Vegetable Garden? This article will help you in creating a functional and productive city vegetable garden.
What a pleasure to taste freshly picked vegetables and herbs in soups, stews, salads, in curries and other delicious cuisines, which have been cultivated in your own garden? But what if you live in a city and you don’t have a space for a regular garden? Well, there are options available even for the city gardeners who have a small home, apartment or a flat. The solution is optimization of the available space you have. Your little urban vegetable garden will not look like a traditional garden, where rows of tomatoes, beans, onion and cucumbers are planted in line in garden beds and thrive abundantly, but it will bring you immense satisfaction with enough homegrown harvest. Urban Vegetable Garden Design First of all, decide how much space you have– do you have a small patio, a balcony or a flat roof? If you have a veranda or a porch, you can use that space too. You can even grow a few plants on a windowsill. Read our post on windowsill herb garden Choose the solution of square foot gardening for a city vegetable garden. Square foot gardening is proposed by Mel Bartholomew, it allows to utilize the small space well and increases the productivity.
In a square foot garden, vegetables are grown in raised bed made of individual squares of one square foot each (30 cm) and at least 6″ deep. Either you can place individual squares side by side to form one large square or make a whole 4’*4′ size raised bed and divide it into 4 squares. Square foot gardening method is a revolutionizing culture, it favors organic gardening. According to Bartholomew, only fertilizer you should use is compost. You can also use manure if it is readily available to you. In contrast to the traditional garden, which requires a large field to grow vegetable patches and a lot of care, small square foot garden is suitable for limited spaces. Indeed, this way of growing vegetables greatly helps. Some everyday actions are extremely easy to maintain. You can easily manage crops, it’s so easy to water each plant in a right amount with a simple watering can. No waste, no weed and almost no to less problem of pests. And the icing on the cake are those checkered appetizing and colorful vegetables that look very decorative too in an urban vegetable garden. You can make such raised beds of wood, PVC pipes and if you don’t mind having permanent structure make a concrete raised bed or you can put individual square containers side by side. Urban Vegetable Garden on a Balcony Balconies are even more limited space, but if you receive enough sun there you can easily manage to grow a lot of vegetables and herbs. You can imply the same square foot gardening method or grow plants in containers. If you want to make a vegetable garden on the balcony, read this post.Rooftop Vegetable Garden A lot of space in compare to small balconies and if you optimize it well, you’ll be able to cultivate enough vegetables for home use, fresh and organic. When choosing what to plant in your urban vegetable garden, consider your personal taste first, then of course how compatible your location and space is to grow it. Almost all the species demand ample sun and if your terrace garden is shady, your choices will shrink. Patio Vegetable Garden
In a city having a patio is a boon. You can make a productive patio vegetable garden there by this square foot gardening method. You can grow vegetables both on grounds and in containers. In addition, grow herbs that you’re fancy about. Almost all the herbs are easy to grow. You can grow citrus varieties in containers too. Urban Vegetable Garden on Veranda, Porch or other Enclosed Spaces Living in a city you know how precious every inch of space is, if you have a porch or veranda, use it to grow vegetables and herbs in containers. Choose plants that are easy to grow in partial shade as most of the time these spaces are roofed and don’t receive full sun. You can try all the green leafy vegetables like spinach, bok choi, and lettuce, root vegetables like carrot, parsnip and potatoes too. Home grown fresh and organic potatoes taste heavenly. Tips
Don’t cram up the containers or your squares with a lot of plants. Be aware that some vegetables need to be grown alone as they need more space for root development like peppers and chilies. Same in the case with tomatoes, eggplant, and cucumbers. Zucchini also needs to grow alone in a large container.It is best to choose a variety of vegetables that do not send runners and spread as they will fill up the space of containers.By combining vertical supports in squares or containers, you can also grow beans, peas, and small gourds.Carrots, radishes, lettuce, beets are also easy to grow.Fertilize plants regularly with organic fertilizer. And do not forget that a small urban vegetable garden can be as beautiful as it is functional, especially if you grow flowers in it with vegetables.

If you want to create a garden on terrace or you already own one, inspire yourself with these 21 ‘Beautiful Terrace Garden Images’. To make a beautiful terrace garden, arrange everything neatly, do not use more than 3-5 colors on your terrace. Plan everything on paper, determine a theme and the ambiance you would like to create there and work accordingly. 1.
Create an alluring container garden on terrace, grow flowers to embellish it. Most of the terraces are sunny and flowers are easy to grow. Make a lovely flower garden with combination of both perennials and annuals equally. 2.
If you want to create a serene and calm garden on terrace, use colors like blue, green, indigo, pink and white instead of bright colors. 3.
Grow lot of vines and dwarf trees near the walls. These will use your vertical space efficiently. 4.
Create a low maintenance garden on terrace, if you are unable to do lot of care. Read these low maintenance garden tips. 5.
If you want to make a lush green garden, grow lot of dwarf conifers and ferns on your terrace. These will give an elegant look with wooden deck and furniture. 6.
This garden on terrace is simple yet good looking, not so many colors and accessories are used. 7.
Excellent use of old tires you can see here, these planters are made after doing some DIY hacks. See these DIY tire ideas for more. 8.
Both lavender and allium (ornamental onion) love sunny spot and well drained soil, growing them on terrace is easy too. 9.
Floor plays an essential role in creating a beautiful terrace garden. You can also use pebbles to add an extra element. 10.
Making a lawn on terrace is possible too. You’ll have your best seating place above your urban dwelling, if you’ll create a terrace lawn. 11.
Create a cottage garden like setup, wild and overgrown terrace garden that will give you peace of mind. In the garden you can white nicotianas are grown for scent and lavender in other corner with lot of perennials capturing the eyes. You can see more about this on Gardenista. 12.
What’s not you can do on your terrace? Make a water garden, if you love to grow aquatic plants. 13.
If you have a north or east facing terrace, you do not receive full sun. In that case grow plants that grows well in partial sun. Ferns, Ivies, violets and pansies are good choice for such terrace gardens. 14.
Make raised beds on your terrace to grow trees, this is a good idea if you want to grow large shrubs or trees that have deep roots. 15.
Classy and elegant, deck tiles are looking beautiful on this terrace in the evening. If you don’t want to grow lot of plants on your terrace, simply put some potted plants in the corner. 16.
Make your beautiful terrace garden more zippy at night so you can savor your dinner there, do some lightning and you will all set to enjoy. 17.
Growing a lawn needs lots of maintenance and care and if you are worried about this, use synthetic grass, it is a good option for both terrace and balcony gardens. 18.
Using light colored furniture is a great idea to follow on terraces, because light colored furniture don’t heat up early. 19.
Grow dwarf trees and bamboos for terrace garden privacy. 20.
You can grow annuals under potted trees, this is a good idea for limited space like terrace. 21.

I’m a big fan of herbs… I love how they smell, the texture they provide, that self sustaining feeling they give you, just having them in the garden. But I’m also a big fan because I’m convinced many of them can do you good and help you heal from minor ailments. I chose eight of my top fav healing herbs for the garden based on how easy they are to use and prepare at home, and also how easy they are to grow in most gardens. Here they are, in no particular order! (Note: Remember that healing herbs are not meant to be medicinal, and that you must be careful that any plant you ingest is safe for you and your family… )
1. Chamomile Chamomile is known by almost everyone for it’s ability to ease us into sleep, when steeped into a tea. It also is used for stomach upset. Dry the flowers for long term storage in ziploc bags, or use them fresh steeped into a tea. This is a gentle herb that can be used for children as well. The best variety to grow, and the most commonly used for tea is German Chamomile. This is an annual that grows into a bushy plant about 2 feet tall. It prefers well draining soil, full sun to part shade, and moderate water. Chamomile is easy to grow from seed.
  2. Feverfew Feverfew (Tanacetum) has had some scientific studies done on it’s use for migraine headaches, with some positive results. Brewed into a tea, feverfew is best used as a preventative for migraines. Grow Feverfew from seed, sprinkled onto the soil in early spring. Like Chamomile, it needs light to germinate, so don’t cover, just water in. Give it plenty of sun and you will be rewarded with hundreds of tiny button daisy flowers on a 20 inch bush. This is also an annual, but tends to self seed liberally. Also like Chamomile, brew flowers into a tea.
  3. Lavender Lavender is used to ease tension, and is generally used in aromatherapy… that is, the scent is used in oils and infusions. It is also edible, the flowers being used in salads or drinks, and can also be brewed into any tea. Easy to grow, lavender loves the sun, and is drought resistant. It does fine in poor soil, but the soil must be well drained. It will not tolerate heavy soil. Several different types and colors are available , the most common is English Lavender, but French Lavender and Spanish Lavender are popular as well, although less hardy. The varieties bloom at slightly different times, but usually from later spring through mid summer, with another short flush in the fall.  A short lived perennial, it will come back for several years, but will then tend to die back, stating in the center of the plant. Luckily, you will find many volunteers popping up ready to take it’s place. Did we mention, it’s gorgeous as well?

  4. Peppermint Peppermint is one of the tummy trouble remedies I actually use, and so do my kids… It really does help relieve nausea and even stomach cramps. It can be energizing as well. Peppermint is an aggressive plant that can take over a garden if you let it! Although I love growing any kind of mint, if you don’t want to be pulling it like a weed, plant it in pots. Prefers afternoon shade in hot areas, can tolerate some shade in any area. Perennial that comes back every year. Grows best in fertile, moist soil. Flowers are not showy. Foliage is aromatic, and leaves are edible in salads, sauces and can even be frozen in ice cubes to refresh cold drinks.
  5. Thyme (Thymol) Thyme is a powerful antiseptic and astringent. Used for coughs and sore throats, it is gargled with or made into a tea, usually in combination with other herbs. Also used as a disinfectant spray. Thyme is an herb that has become popular with several decorative varieties in the last few years, including one of my favorites, ‘Doone Valley Thyme’ with its pink flowers. Flowers are tiny but plentiful, and the plant loves sun and tolerates drought. Varieties exist from the low growing ‘creeping Thyme’, to the parent variety, common thyme. Common thyme has been said to have the highest level of Thymol, or oils. A semi woody shrub, it is useful in the garden as well as the kitchen.  Easy plant to grow.
  6. Garlic Garlic is one of those herbs that continues to prove it’s health benefits. Long known for it’s cardiovascular health benefits, it is also used as an anti viral and anti fungal… In my opinion, the best way to take advantage of the healing powers of garlic is to cook with it! Garlic is easy to grow, especially if you already grow vegetables. Each clove from a garlic bulb will grow into it’s own bulb, and yes, you can plant from grocery store garlic. Simply soak them in a jar of water with a tablespoon of baking soda before planting, to prevent fungal diseases. Plant garlic in fall, and allow to overwinter. In June or July, when the green stalks are 3/4 brown, gently dig up bulbs and tie together several bunches, then hang to dry. Store in a dry, cool place. Make really good pasta!
  7. Lemon Balm Lemon Balm is used in a tea for anxiety. Just pick the leaves as desired and brew. Grow lemon balm in  partly shady area for best results. Rich, moist soil will give you the best plants with the highest amount of oils in the leaves. Being a tender perennial, it will not survive any but the modest winters.
  8. Parsley Lastly, we have parsley. More than a garnish at the side of the plate, parsley helps cleanse the liver, flush the system of excess water and soothes the stomach. Parsley prefers part shade and rich soil, and does well grown indoors in a sunny windowsill. I prefer to grow the flat leaved variety. Give afternoon shade in hot areas. Harvest by cuttings leaves as needed.
‘Country Living’ shows you how to make herbal tea from your garden plants… Easy list of eight healing herbs you can grow in your garden! Anyone have a favorite we missed? How do you grow and use it?

Herb gardens are my favorite type of garden. There is something really satisfying about plants that do it all –  they are pretty, fragrant, tasty and even medicinal! They can be grown in a formal style, or rock an old boot! They are practical plants full of nostalgia and charm, and can grace the finest table while tantalizing virtually all the senses. And they have a quality about them they makes you want to bake from scratch, buy organic and pour good wine. But rather than bring you pretty photos of great English herb gardens (ok, there are a few of those here, I confess…) we have some creative outdoor herb gardens and projects to make you an herb convert! Our feature photo above is from ‘Ginger Snap Crafts’. This DIY herb garden project takes a little bit of handy work with tools but we just love it! See how they did it here. ‘Brooklyn Limestone’ created this DIY vertical herb garden, and she shows you how step by step… Perfect if you just want some kitchen herbs right off the back door! I love how she did this, and labeled with a paint pen. But if, and this is a big if, your garden will be under cover, what about using chalkboard paint?

  Want a neat herb garden? Plant in pots in the ground, like they did in this garden in France, courtesy of ‘Townmouse‘.
  Easy idea for a quick herb garden, that doesn’t lack any charm… from ‘Precious Sister’, this herb wagon garden is just what we all need… seriously, does it get better than this? Also, it is up higher to make sure someone who has knee issues (me) can take care of it. Would this be a great gift for an elderly friend? An herb wagon??? Amazing!
  Laura from ‘Finding Home’ is my new hero. This kitchen herb garden is the perfect back porch decor, and yet, it makes sure the parsley is right their when you are cooking Sunday night soup this fall! I love the dishes as accents, and the door? Total charmalicious…
  Need a DIY project, and not looking for cute, but just cool? Try this DIY hanging herb garden by ‘Homemade Modern’, made from pine boards, rope and zip ties!
  This DIY outdoor living wall was create by ‘Dremel Weekends’ for ‘Curbly’, and this is clearly the way to grow herbs. Plenty of light gets in, easy to water, no weeding, good air circulation… win, win!
  Lina at ‘Fancy Frugal Life’ made these DIY stacked herb gardens, complete with chalkboard markers! Great for small gardens that need a space saving solution, or just because you want something with more interest. Cute! Complete tutorial with photos.
  This is a really creative idea… DIY herb garden in bottles! 11 Eureka created this from mercury bottles meant to be candleholders… this is far and away a better use for them! I’d love these hung on porches, decks and even in trees!
  Ok, now that we have you inspired that you too, can have an herb garden… It’s time to really get inspired!


  Last we have the herb garden at Sissinghurst Castle, Just in case you want to dream.

When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is time to start planting your rose garden. Roses have been a cherished aphrodisiac since biblical times. They have been around for over 3000 years, yet they still hold a particular mystery and fascination, not to mention the fact that they just look and smell good! One of the most important rules of growing roses is to plant the rose bush in an area that receives around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day. It is preferable not to plant too many trees or other plants around the rose bush because most of these are likely to either mix with the rose or stifle it’s growth. If you are replacing an old rose bush, approximately 1 1/2 cubic feet of old soil should be removed, and fresh soil added to replace it. When positioning your rose in the garden or landscape, consider the growth habit of the rose. For example, place climbers and ramblers along fences, trellises, or next to arches or pergolas. This location offers them free range of growth, and optimal potential for the showiest blooms. Roses also look beautiful in island garden beds interplanted with perennials. Miniature roses make great edging plants in front of their taller cousins. Planted singly, shrub roses make excellent specimen plants or they can be clustered to make a flowering hedge. You can also use them to camouflage unsightly garden objects. Dig a hole large enough for the root mass and loosen the bottom of the hole. You should add bone meal, which is a slow acting source of phosphorus that leads to healthy root growth in the rose plant.

These 23 (Rooftop) Terrace Garden Tips will help you in transforming your urban space into a green oasis. You love to garden but you don’t have a piece of land. No problem, you can have a garden on the rooftop, however small. It is not necessary to abandon the idea of being able to create a natural paradise. There are many tricks and clever ideas to do this and here are a few rooftop gardening tips that’ll help you. Terrace Garden Tips 1.
Create a theme for your rooftop garden and stick to it. Choose plants, furniture, and other accessories according to it. 2.
Creating green walls and hedges can completely transform a rooftop terrace into an unbelievable outdoor area that can even look like a regular garden. For this, create tall and dense vegetation around all the corners that will offer you total privacy and a perfect setting for outdoor dining and relaxing moments surrounded by nature. 3.
In our terrace garden tips, lighting is very important. Good lighting can enhance the beauty of the vegetation. This way you can enjoy the evening on the rooftop garden. 4.
A roof-top has a parapet or breastwork, make that low wall little high so that you can use that as a support for growing climbing plants and creepers and if you need shadow in sitting area, umbrellas in light colors are perfect. 5.
Flowering annuals can completely transform the look of any garden when they bloom all together. You can plant different species of flowers for every season. Opt for a combination of two or three colors to create a harmony is a good idea. 6.
While choosing furniture, take care that they are light, durable and must not take too much space. 7.
Although small, this rooftop garden is totally unique and appealing with the addition of two interesting things: The ivy topiary and a large mirror, which opens the view and creates the illusion of enlarged space. Adding a mirror is one of the useful rooftop gardening tips. 8.
If tall buildings surround your terrace or you have got an interesting view from there then it makes no sense to try to get privacy. Instead, concentrate on the open space and include large planters so that you can grow large trees in them. 9.
You can also make a great looking, elegant terrace or roof top garden by just growing conifers and beautiful foliage plants. 10.
Choose simple plants that love the direct sunlight and opt for designer containers. Do not make compromises– the planters are as important as what they contain. 11.
Being able to enjoy a breath of fresh air right above your urban dwelling is wonderful. With a little creativity, you can turn the rooftop garden into an outdoor living room, adding a bar or a kitchen countertop is also a good idea. 12.
Use as many natural materials as possible. For flooring use natural stones. Arrange wooden planters or construct beds using sandstone bricks. For seating you can buy tree stumps, they are inexpensive and do not take much of your space. This is a great way to create a more authentic and natural environment. 13.
Bright colorful shrubs in combination with a neutral decor will create a dazzling effect and on the contrary if you have a colorful setup and gaudy furniture, grow neutral plants. 14.
Choose a flooring style that is deep and bold and eye-catching. Keep the color combinations in mind to give a unique touch to the rooftop garden. 15.
Whitish beige is a main color here combined with blue and yellow. Don’t use so many colors. Decide three or four main colors and use their shades, if you want more. 16. A terrace garden does not necessarily need to include a large number of plants, trees, and flowers. A manicured, lush green lawn and a couple of planters or well-maintained borders against the wall are sufficient to create an impressive style. 17.
If you have a small rooftop, it is better to have a couple of big planters rather than so many small containers, so as not to overwhelm the space or create chaos and disorder. 18.
Create raised beds all around the roof, raised beds can be metallic or made of wood. You can also construct permanent concrete raised beds. But before doing this, ensure your rooftop can bear that much weight. Read our article on how to construct a rooftop garden for more information. 19.
Don’t want to grow so many plants? Place colorful and modern furnishings to transform a small space into an attractive sitting area. 20.
Don’t forget to add a focal point on your urban terrace garden. Place something to allure the eyes. Adding the water element, through the insertion of a small fountain is a great idea, you can also create a small container pond. 21.
Maximize the seating space of your roof or terrace by fixing wooden benches along the raised beds. 22.
String lighting works wonderfully in open spaces. It enhances the small spaces. Most of the rooftops receive all day long sun and in such a case adding solar lights is a smart idea. 23.

For those of you who grew herbs in your garden this year, you may be wondering what to do with them! What do you do with that much sage, after all? Before you throw your hands up and figure that herb season is over with the first frost, read these tips on how to harvest herbs, and clever ways to preserve them so you have fresh from the garden flavor all year long. Feature photo above from ‘Rustic Garden Bistro‘. Pick herbs in late morning for best flavor, on a sunny day. Do not let herbs go to flower before you pick. Pinch off the flowers as they appear until you are ready to harvest. Many, if not most herbs can be cut whenever you need them, and they regrow quickly. Exceptions to that include parsley and basil, both which tend to bolt to seed quickly after reaching maturity. These are the herbs you need to harvest on time. Harvest these in bunches. Yes, you should wash your herbs before you preserve them. Remember in milder winter areas, some herbs stay evergreen all winter long. These are best to clip as needed, and you don’t need to harvest large parts of the plant. These tend to be the hardier herbs… in my zone 7 garden, many Thymes, Sages and Rosemary survive quite well. Oregano, marjoram and lemon balm? Not so much! How to Preserve Herbs – Drying Herbs Drying herbs is pretty self explanatory, but the most space intensive way to preserve herbs. If you choose this route, you must have a warm, dry indoor area to hang the herbs. Hang them in small bunches, cover them to keep them clean, and when dry, strip the leaves off the branches and seal in bags or jars. Make sure they are crispy dry before you seal them up. You can also dry herbs in the microwave or a food dehydrator. Check out this great tutorial from ‘Food52’ on how to dry your herbs. Nice photos below from James Ransom.
  – Freezing in Water Freezing fresh herbs in ice cube trays is pure genius as in this idea from Ladies Health Magazine. Simply pop the ice cubes straight into the cooking pot. You can also simply place chopped herbs into a ziploc bag, squeeze out all the air, and freeze. Break off a piece when needed.
  – Freezing In Oil Love this idea! If you cook dishes that are more savory and wouldn’t want to add water to, freezing your herbs in oil is the perfect solution. Use a good extra virgin olive oil and cover chopped herbs in the ice cube trays. Freeze overnight, then pop out of the trays and seal in plastic bags, Freeze until ready to use. Add to any dish that has an oil or savory base. This preservation method has the freshest taste to us. Check out this tutorial from ‘The Kitchn’.
  – In Salt or Sugar To preserve herbs in sugar or salt, simply layer the fresh herbs with either in a sealable jar. You can use both the salt (or sugar) and the herbs for seasoning. Some herbs naturally make great herbal sugars… lavender, mint, rosemary, lemon balm. Others make terrific herbal salts, such as basil. More tips from ‘The Healthy Green Kitchen’.
  Take advantage of these easy ways to save your herbs for later use, and savor the smell in your kitchen as an added bonus. Does anything smell better in fall than fresh herbs and spices? And if you didn’t grow herbs this year? Get on it people… no other plant combines purpose with pleasure quite so well.

#Growing corn in containers is possible, however the yield is less than the corn grown in a #garden . Corn requires more #space than most small or medium sized containers provide. If you’re planting corn in containers, use large pots and reproduce optimum external conditions as close as possible.Choosing Containers to Grow Corn in Pots
Choose a large container that is at least 12 inches deep and wide. You can grow about four corn plants in this size of pot. Make sure your pot have enough drainage holes in the bottom. Varieties for Growing Corn in Containers As you grow corn in pots, choose a dwarf variety that does not exceed 4 or 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) height. Some good choices are short stemmed ‘Trinity’ and ‘Sweet Painted Mountain’. Planting Sow four to six seeds per pot about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and rake a bit of soil above them. Don’t worry if the corn is planted together closely in a pot. In fact, sowing seeds closely helps in pollination and allow the corn to fruit abundantly. Requirements Sweet corn needs full sun, plenty of water and fertile soil to thrive. It depends on the wind for pollination, which is best achieved when the corn is planted in a block of several short rows. Mulch around the corn to hold in moisture. Use wood chips, newspapers or grass to help prevent moisture loss. Mulching also keeps weeds to a minimum. Soil Corn plants require soil that retains moisture without drying out quickly but drains well enough so it doesn’t become soggy or waterlogged. A peat based potting soil works best for them. Water Water the plant every other day, keeping the soil constantly moist. Water is important ingredient to get sweet and soft corns, especially at the time of fruiting you’ll need to water your potted corns more. Fertilizer Add fertilizer after 10 weeks from sowing. Dig a hole about 2 cm in depth and diameter around each plant. Pour 1/2 tablespoons of 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 fertilizer per plant, and incorporate the soil. Harvesting If you know how to grow corn in pots, you can grow your own corns without the need of lot of space, usually corns are ready to harvest between 60 to 100 days after planting, depending on the variety and weather conditions.

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly called rosemary is an aromatic herb indigenous to the Mediterranean area. Rosemary is traditionally known as the herb of remembrance and friendship. Also known as Mary’s mantle and compass weed, rosemary is a lovely, sweet scented, shrubby perennial in Mediterranean countries that can be grown as an annual in Northern climates or as an indoor potted plant. Rosemary has needlelike leaves and delicate light blue flowers. Mature plants can live for over 30 years. Rosemary grows best in full sun but will tolerate semi-shade. This plant grows best in light, well-drained soil. Let rosemary become moderately dry between waterings, as root rot can be a problem in soggy soils. Mist the leaves every second week. Rosemary grows 3 – 6 feet (1 – 2 m) tall outdoors. Indoors, rosemary benefits by harvesting tip cuttings that will keep the plant fuller and bushier. Rosemary’s leaves are dark green on top with silvery undersides.
Rosemary is slow to germinate and grow from seed so it is best to buy plants or propagate rosemary from stem cuttings. If you are growing this herb indoors, rosemary thrives when moved outdoors for the summer. Leave rosemary in pots in the garden as it seems to be able to adjust to moving back in-doors more successfully. Move back indoors before the first frost, check for insects, and if there is an infestation, spray with a soap and water spray. Rosemary requires at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. If you are growing rosemary on a windowsill, turn regularly to ensure every side receives light. If you are growing rosemary under lights, hang fluorescent lights 6 inches (15 cm) above the plants and leave on for 12 hours. In the garden, rosemary deters cabbage moth, bean beetles, and carrot fly when planted near cabbage, beans, carrots, and sage. In Italy, rosemary is the preferred herb with lamb, veal, and poultry particularly when simmered with olive oil, garlic, and wine. Rosemary should always be used with lamb as it enhances the meat with incomparable flavour. Other uses in the kitchen include tomato dishes, stews, soups, vegetable dishes, pork, rabbit, sausages, fish, shellfish, finely chopped in custards, egg dishes, pickles, jellies, jams, cakes, cookies, salads, and is an essential ingredient in herb breads and biscuits, including focaccia, the classic Italian bread. Rosemary can be added to the cooking water to enliven cauliflower, potatoes, green beans, and peas. Marinades for fish and meats as well as minestrone, chicken, and pea soups benefit from the addition of rosemary. Rosemary has a strong flavour so use sparingly. Leaves, stems, and flowers are all edible. To release the flavour of dried leaves, crush them just before using. Rosemary stems can be used for herb skewers by stripping the leaves and threading vegetables or tender cuts of meat on the stems for broiling.
Rosemary can be kept in the fridge for a few days either in plastic bags or with the stems immersed in water. The leaves can be dried by hanging fresh sprigs in a warm, dry place. Strip off leaves before storing.

One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly called sweet basil. Often called the ‘king of herbs,’ basil can be grown indoors or out. Sweet basil has inch-long, oval-pointed, dark green leaves and a clove-pepperish odour and taste. Sweet basil makes a handsome, bushy small plant, growing to a foot or more indoors. A purple-leafed variety, ‘Dark Opal’ is decorative, makes a lovely houseplant, and is equally useful in cookery. Do not let basil bloom, or it will go to seed. Instead, pinch out the plant tops and they will grow into compact little bushes. Basil is an annual and grows 12 – 24 inches (30 – 60 cm) as the height varies according to the variety. Cultivation requirements for growing basil: full sun; light, well-drained, nutrient rich, slightly acidic soil; frequent watering (don’t waterlog); will not tolerate cold; pinch off flower stalks for a longer season of leaf production. Basil can be easily started from seed or can be brought indoors at the end of the growing season. If you are bringing basil indoors, choose the most robust plants. Before the first frost, dig them out of the garden and pot them up in fresh potting soil. Basil can also be grown in pots outdoors and treated the same way when bringing them in for winter. Check for insects and if there is an infestation, spray with a soap and water spray. Gradually reverse the hardening off process by keeping the pots out of direct sunlight for about a week. The plants will become acclimatised to the lower light conditions they will experience indoors. Bring them inside and provide the conditions they need to continue growing.
Basil requires at least five hours of sunlight a day to stay healthy and flavourful. If you are growing basil on the windowsill, turn regularly to ensure every side receives light. Don’t let basil leaves touch the cold glass. Basil grows even better under fluorescent lights in the winter. Hang the lights 6 inches (15 cm) from plants and leave lights on for 14 hours a day. There are many cultivars of basil. Two that are particularly popular are: O. basilicum ‘Dark Opal’- only herb to win the All American Award of Excellence – can be used the same as sweet basil; O. basilicum ‘Citriodorum’- strong lemon scent – nice for tea and with chicken and fish.
In the garden, basil can be planted with tomatoes as it helps to overcome both insects and disease. Basil also repels flies and mosquitoes. In the kitchen, use basil in tomato dishes (both raw and cooked), pesto, sauces, salad dressings, soups, fish dishes, mushroom dishes, egg and rice dishes, mixed with other herbs, omelettes, pasta dishes, vegetables such as carrots, eggplant, cabbage, squash, and zucchini. Use fresh leaves in salads and add fresh leaves to vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Basil can be used fresh, frozen, or dried. Use basil with discretion, as it is one of the few herbs that increase in flavour when heated..