Flavor This Winter with Herbs

Imagine rosemary potatoes, basil and cilantro pesto or sage polenta on your table--all made from fresh herbs. Growing herbs inside during the winter is a great way to keep fresh flavor at your fingertips.

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Imagine rosemary potatoes, basil and cilantro pesto or sage polenta on your table—all made from fresh herbs. Growing herbs inside during the winter is a great way to keep fresh flavor at your fingertips, as well as having “green” inside the house. The following herb primer is perfect or winter windowsills.

Tender Perennials

  • bay laurel
  • cardamom
  • coriander
  • rosemary
  • and many varieties of lavender, sage and thyme

Though commonly grown in colder areas as annuals, these plants would be evergreen in more temperate climates. The growth won’t be as rapid as during long summer days, but these plants continue to thrive during the low light of winter.

For tender perennials, additional artificial light is not a necessity, though no plant would turn it down. If you are inclined to pamper, the light set-up suggested for annuals would ensure robust growth.

Come spring, let these tender perennial herbs outside to play in the sun. Remember though: never take a plant that is accustomed to your house or greenhouse directly into the full sun. Harden it off by taking it outside for a couple of hours of morning sun, or making sure it’s in a sheltered area before putting it in its final spot.

Annuals

  • basil
  • cilantro

These have more rigid light requirements and you’ll need to augment the natural light source. It doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple fluorescent fixture 4 to 6 inches above the plants with one cool white tube and one warm white tube is a perfect low-energy solution. The lights should be left on 12-18 hours.

Harvesting

One of the great things about herbs is that they love to be harvested. The act of picking off the ends of the stems creates fuller, bushier growth, which naturally gives you more to cook with. This means that even if you’re not using a plant regularly, continuing to pinch off the ends will result in a healthier, happier plant.

Happy growing and yummy eating.