If you live in a detached house, opportunities for gardening and growing your own healthy garden goodies are clearly extensive. But can you also do it in your apartment? Yes, definitely! You just need to know what to take into consideration.

A garden in the urban environment?

It is easiest to create a city garden if you have a dwelling with a terrace, a balcony or a loggia. So-called roof gardens are becoming increasingly popular as well. Depending on their area, it is possible to grow both small plants and also trees and fruit trees. It is important to evaluate how much light will be available to plants and to choose the most appropriate plants so that they can grow and bear fruit.

There are many beautifully landscaped terraces and balconies in the urban environment, where trees, decorative plants as well as greens that can be used for cooking are growing. Under optimum conditions, even cabbage can be grown on the balcony or terrace. Of course, you should keep in mind that plants must be regularly watered, fertilised and also weeded, as weeds grow well in pots.

If there is no balcony or terrace or if they are unsuitable for creating a garden in the city, a good solution is to set up your “kitchen garden” on the windowsill or right in the kitchen, cultivating the coveted greens in pots. The simplest way is to start with herbs that are relatively easy to keep. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that the place where the herbs will be growing is not draughty and is sufficiently bright. Keep in mind, though, that most herbs do not like direct sunlight!

How to grow herbs?

You can combine multiple herbs in one pot, but pay attention to the specific features of the plants. For example, low-growing plants, such as thyme, cannot be grown in one pot with long herbs, such as rosemary, because the taller plants will suppress the low-growing ones and will not let them thrive. If the space allows, it is best to grow each herb in a separate pot. Then the flavours of the plants will not mix, because, for example, peppermint tends to take on the taste of neighbouring plants, but if it grows alone, its taste will be more saturated.

If plants do not have access to daylight, they can be provided with artificial lighting so that they do not become drawn and do not turn yellow. Tech-savvy and green-minded people can buy Smart Garden by Click&Grow, a smart assistant which consists not only of an energy-efficient LED lamp, but also a container equipped with watering facilities – a convenient and modern solution!

How to water a plant?

Most herbs will feel good in a well-lit place and nutritious and moist soils. This means that potted plants must be regularly provided not only with water but also fertilisers. Besides, high quality soil should be chosen for cultivation, as herbs may not grow in poor soil.

Maintaining constant humidity is often the biggest challenge, especially during the heating season, when the air indoors is often dry. Houseplants growing in pots are usually watered from the top, but this is not the best option for the roots of the plant. One of the solutions that will ensure proper watering is Fiskars Herb Pot, which provides the plant with water from the bottom with the help of absorbent material. This solution is very useful for plants that do not like excessive watering, as it allows the plant to regulate the required amount of moisture. The water reservoir at the bottom of the pot saves you the trouble of constant watering of the herb. As a result, the roots of the plant will be strong and will thrive.

What to choose?

Before buying the seeds, decide which herbs you like best and will use for cooking, because the possibilities are wide!

• Basil – leaves can be added to soups, pasta sauces, meat dishes or vinegar for flavour.
• Dill – can be added to starters and main courses, salads and casseroles. It is great for meat dishes, fish dishes and marinades. Dill can even be used to brew tea!
• Parsley – can be added to soups, garnishes, starters and main courses, salads, sauces, etc.
• Sage – leaves can be added to omelettes, pancakes and stewed meat, and alcoholic beverages for flavour. Tea can also be brewed from leaves.
• Scallions – can be added to egg dishes, soups, salads, butter, cheese and fish and meat sauces.
• Fennel – the whole plant is edible: seeds can be added to bakery goods, while leaves go well with fish, vegetables and cheese.
• Melissa and peppermint – can be added to soups, fish, meat and vegetables, as well as tea.
• Marjoram – adds flavour to meat; can be added to salads, omelette, jelly and tea.
• Oregano – can be added to poultry and pork dishes, as well as sauces; it goes especially well with tomato sauce.
• Rosemary – can be added to tea, casseroles, meat and vegetable dishes.
• Spinach – can be added to starters, omelettes and baked foods.
• Estragon – can be added to sauces, salads, soups, omelettes, meat dishes, vegetables and fish dishes.
• Thyme – can be added to tea; goes very well with poultry and fish dishes, stews, soups, tomato sauce, cheese, eggs and rice.