Herb Garden
By Martha Swann With spring just around the corner -— or, in Syracuse’s case, just over and around the 12-foot pile of snow in your front yard -— it’s the perfect time to play Mother Nature and bring some green inside. Growing herbs from seed is so simple that within weeks your friends will marvel at your green thumb and enjoy the fruits of your labor (see page 58 for recipes). Read on to start your very own garden with just an old egg carton and a few household supplies.
Materials:
- Empty egg carton
- Packet of seeds of your favorite herbs
- Potting soil
- Plastic wrap
- Water
- Scissors
- Green thumb
- Sunshine
- Dash of patience
Step 1: Cut off the top part of the egg carton and punch a small hole in the bottom of each egg receptacle.
Step 2: Fill each receptacle with potting soil. Then make an indent in the soil with your index finger. The depth of the hole will vary depending on the herb you’re planting, so check the back of the seed packet.
Step 3: Place three to four seeds in each hole -— but not too deep —- to guarantee that at least one will sprout.
Step 4: Cover each seed with soil.
Step 5: Sprinkle the soil with water.
Step 6: Cover the carton with plastic wrap and set it in a warm and sunny place (any place with a little light coming through the mass of clouds looming overhead should suffice). This covering will create a greenhouse effect. With careful watering, you should start seeing results within a couple of weeks. After the seedlings have sprouted, transfer them to a small pot to allow more room for their roots to grow.