A Very Special Place: This Month's Activity

“KITCHEN GARDEN”
Planting Indoor Herbs

Presented by the TeleRide Program

The winter months are still here and for those of us who enjoy gardening it is time to bring it indoors! This activity is fun and easy to do and will bring pleasure for you to look at as well as taste in your food!

By growing simple herbs in your kitchen you can have them available to season your food. Herbal plants are easy to grow, take up a small amount of space on your windowsill, and only need sunshine and a little water.

Before you begin this project read through all the steps to see where you might need help. Check the list of supplies to make sure you have everything you need.

Supplies and Items Needed:
Old newspaper
Small plastic or ceramic pot
Plastic tray or bowl to fit under pot
Potting soil
Small stones or pebbles
Herbal plants (3 or 4) Cup to water plant
Water
Windowsill with sunshine!

Step 1 -Planning: Think of a food you like that you make in the kitchen at home. Maybe chicken or spaghetti or pizza?? Herbs are seasoning that make the food we eat even tastier. If you like spaghetti you might want to grow fresh basil for the sauce. Chicken can be seasoned with thyme, and parsley compliments many recipes. You might want to pick an herb that just smells good or looks pretty.

Step 2- Materials: Ask a friend or family member to drive you to a garden center or a flower store or even a supermarket. Look for small herbal plants and choose several that you like. You also need a small bag of potting soil and one small flowerpot. A plastic pot in any color or shape works fine. You can fit several small plants together.

Step 3 -Procedure: You can do this activity right in your kitchen. Cover your work area with newspaper for easy clean up. Set your pot up for planting by collecting some pebbles or small stones from outside. Fill the bottom of the pot with these small tones. They will help drain the plants so they only get the water they need to grow.

Step 4 - Fill the pot with the soil about halfway full putting the soil directly on top of the stones.

Step 5 -You are ready to PLANT! Take the small herbs you have chosen and remove them from their container. Keep the soil they have been stored in and put it directly into the pot you have chosen with your plant. Depending on the size to your pot, you can plant several herbs in your pot. Fill with more soil around your plants, patting until the pot is almost full. Make sure the plant is firmly seated in the soil.

	Step 6 - Next take a small bowl or tray to place under the pot to collect any overflow from watering. Place your pot on this tray and full a small cup with water and begin to slowly water your plant until soil is moist. Your plant will be thirsty at first.
	Step 7 - Find a sunny place for your garden to grow. A windowsill or even a kitchen counter will be fine as long as the plant gets light for a large part of the day.
	Step 8 - As your plant grows, just pinch off a few leaves, rinse with cold water, pat dry with a paper towel and use the fresh leaves to season your food! The more you pinch a basil plant for spaghetti sauce, the fuller the plant will grow. This indoor garden will grow and grow. Helpful Hints: If your pot is on the windowsill rotate it every few days so the entire plant will get enough sunshine. Be careful not to over water. Suggestions: Herbs are pretty, smell wonderful and are full of flavor. Some examples for kitchen use:
	Rosemary-Chicken, Potatoes Basil-Spaghetti Sauce Chamomile-Tea Oregano-Pizza, Spaghetti	Thyme-Chicken Mint- Iced Tea Dill-Fish Parsley-Soup, Chicken, Fish
	Experiment and enjoy NEW flavors!!