| If you enjoy cooking, no doubt you know that herbs | | | | and growing your own herbs and spices allows you |
| and spices provide you with a great way to add | | | | to have them whenever you want without spending |
| fragrance and flavor to the meals that you cook. | | | | a lot of money. |
| However, purchasing them all the time can get pretty | | | | Using Garden Containers |
| expensive. The great news is that it doesn't take | | | | You'll find that most herbs and spices don't have to |
| much space to grown your own spices and herbs, so | | | | have a lot of space to grow. Many of them have |
| many people decide to raise their own inside. This | | | | roots that are very shallow and you just need some |
| way you can easily get to and use your plants, and | | | | nice pots that you can put in your home. Strawberry |
| with a minimum amount of care, you can have some | | | | pots work well, window boxes are great, and small |
| wonderful herbs and spices that are sure to "spice" | | | | home pots can be used. Even wall planters and |
| up the cooking that occurs in your kitchen. | | | | hanging baskets provide a great way to grow these |
| The Difference Between Herbs and Spices | | | | herbs and spaces without taking up too much room |
| Many people don't realize that there is actually quite a | | | | in your home. |
| difference between herbs and spices. Herbs are | | | | The Medium for Growing |
| considered to be plants that are herbaceous without | | | | You definitely need to consider the medium for |
| stems that are woody and they have leaves that | | | | growing when it comes to herbs and spices. Usually |
| are provide flavor and fragrance. Some of the most | | | | you only need a medium that is lightweight because |
| common herbs grown for cooking purposes include | | | | they need plenty off air circulation as well as great |
| mint, oregano, cilantro, sage, thyme, chives, basil, and | | | | drainage. This makes it pretty easy for you to |
| rosemary. Spices are known as the dried leaves, | | | | transplant as well. Usually it's best to use potting soil, |
| blossoms, fruits, berries, or the seeds that come | | | | peat moss, sand, and perlite to make the perfect |
| from a plant, so they are a bit different. | | | | medium for them to grow in. |
| Why Use Herbs? | | | | Tips for Cultivation |
| Wondering why you should grow and use herbs? | | | | When cultivating your herbs and spices, you'll want to |
| Well, they have the benefit of adding great flavor to | | | | make sure that you have them in an area where |
| dishes without any calories, salt, or fat. Some of | | | | they will get direct sunlight for about 6 hours each |
| them add nutrients and vitamins to the foods as well. | | | | day. If you don't get enough sun, fluorescent light |
| However, if you purchase spices and herbs from the | | | | can be used to help out. They should be watered on |
| store that are not fresh, they often don't have the | | | | a regular basis, but it should be done lightly. The soil |
| flavor that fresh ones do. Fresh herbs can be | | | | should not be muddy or dry, but it should be kept |
| expensive as well. So, doing some indoor gardening | | | | slightly damp. |