Sow and Grow Basil, Coriander and Dill Indoors

When crushed between finger and thumb basil, coriander and dill all give off a very different but equally uplifting aroma. Nothing adds flavour and aroma to cooked dishes and salads like freshly picked herbs. Pots of these annuals growing indoors give a convenient supply of tasty, healthy ingredients with which to cook.

Interesting Facts About Basil

Basil has been grown in Britain since the 16th century. Although it is a perennial it doesn’t survive our winters so it has to be grown as an annual. There are several different types of Basil including Cinnamon Basil, Purple-leaved Basil and Large lettuce-leaved Basil, but Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is the most commonly grown. Its name comes from the Greek basilikum, ‘royal’. Basil can certainly make food fit for royalty.

How to Grow Basil Indoors From Seed

Basil is very sensitive to cold and it’s not worth sowing it before the end of March or early April, either in a greenhouse or on a sunny window ledge. In warmer more southerly climes it will grow outdoors from June onwards, but in the colder north it’s best to cosset basil indoors.

• Sow small batches (9cm pots) every few weeks up to the end of June.
• Prick out seedlings when they are large enough to handle easily.
• Put 5-6 seedlings in a 1litre pot of multi-purpose compost.
• To have enough basil to make pesto requires at least 5 pots to be ready at the same time.
• Alternatively make use of any suitable recyclable container .
• When the seedlings are 15cm tall take out the tip of each stem and this will result in bushy plants.
• To harvest pick the leaves from the tops of the plants.
• After 4-5 weeks apply a liquid feed every 7-10 days.

Interesting Facts About Coriander

Coriander (Coriandum sativum) is an annual relative of the carrot which is native to Southern Europe and The Middle East.. It was once a witches’ plant and appeared as an aphrodisiac in The Arabian Nights.

Today its seeds and leaves are widely used in cooking. Special selections are available for leaf production. Coriander ‘Leisure’ produces a lot of leaf and is much slower to bolt (run to seed) than traditional types.

How to Grow Coriander from Seed

Due to the fact that it quickly produces flowers and then seeds, coriander needs to be sown at regular intervals in late spring and early summer.

• Sow large pots and germinate them on a light window sill.
• Make sure the seedlings have plenty of light.
• Keep moist but don’t over water.
• Keep picking the mature leaves.
• Sow a final batch of seed in August.

Interesting Facts About Dill

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a hardy annual herb which was introduced into Britain from the Mediterranean countries. The name Dill is derived from a Saxon word meaning to lull. Dill has traditionally been used to sooth stomach gripes in babies. It is delicious when finely chopped and used as one of the ingredients in sauces with vegetables, fish and chicken.

How to Grow Dill from Seed

Dill will reach a height of 90cm when grown outdoors in summer. It is, however,very suitable for growing indoors in large containers, especially early in the growing season.

• Sow several batches of seed into 1 or 2litre pots during March and April.
• Keep in a warm, sunny window.
• Harvest the shoots and leaves when fully grown, but before flowering begins.

Three Herbs Which are Cheap to Grow and Good with Food

For the cost of three packets of seed, a bag of growing medium (compost) and a some plastic pots or other containers it’s possible to grow your own supply of these popular herbs from spring to late summer. Picked from the kitchen window the carbon footprint for their production is zero.