Snow on the Outside, Herbs on the Inside!

by Ann Svensen

Thaw the frost off that green thumb and put a little spring back into your life --grow your own herbs indoors! Plants can grow all year long if you keep them warm and give them just the right amount of sunlight and water. The best way to do that is to make your own minigreenhouse. It's easy and fun, and in a few months the whole family can reap the benefits.

What you'll need:
Egg carton, Dixie cups, or small planting containers
Potting soil
Herb seeds (parsley, chives, and basil are good indoor choices)
Shoe box or plastic Tupperware tray with high sides
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Patience!

What to do:
Read the directions on your seed packets for planting tips (parsley, for example, will sprout more quickly if you soak the seeds for 48 hours before planting).

• Punch small drainage holes in the bottom of the egg carton or paper cups.
  
• Fill each cup with potting soil. Press down firmly and water.
  
• Sprinkle a few seeds on top of the soil and then add a thin layer of potting mix on top of the seeds.
  
• Press gently and water again.
  
• If you're planting different herbs, add labels to each pot so you don't forget which one's which (popsicle sticks make good markers).
  
• Put your minipots in the box and cover the top tightly with plastic wrap. Ta-daa! You just made a greenhouse!
  
• Place your greenhouse in a warm spot. Our expert gardener, Jane Cedrone, suggests putting it on top of the refrigerator. At this point, Jane says, temperature is more important than sunlight.
  
• Keep an eye on your seeds, but don't water them! The plastic wrap will keep enough moisture locked inside.

Once the seeds have sprouted -- basil takes about 5 days, chives about 10 to 14, and parsley about 21 -- remove the plastic wrap and put the pots in a sunny spot. Now you'll need to water them regularly. As the herbs grow, you'll need to transplant them a few times into bigger pots. Once they're big enough to harvest, you can use them to jazz up all kinds of recipes.

Resource: For more on gardening with kids, pick up a copy of Learn and Play in the Garden by Meg Herd (Barron's). For more on how to grow veggies and flowers from seed, visit the Weekend Gardener website.

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