May 1, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 29 Many people cultivate gardens both inside and outside of their homes with a focus on adding aesthetic appeal to their properties. But a garden that boasts plants that are edible and pleasing to the eye is a possibility as well. Planting an herb garden is a creative way to enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of a wide variety of plants. Using freshly-harvested herbs in culinary endeavors imparts a taste that dried spices cannot match – and fresh herbs are often easy to cultivate. Herbs are versatile, and lend great flavor to foods while also playing different roles in personal health and beauty. Herbs can be grown to perfume the home. There are herbs that are also purported to help with ailments, from upset Cultivate an herb garden to delight the senses stomachs to anxiety. When planting an herb garden, pay particular attention to the types of flavors and smells you like in your home and cooking. This will help in the decision-making process. Many would-be herb gardeners tend to start small to see what luck they have when cultivating herbs. Fortunately, herbs can grow well in containers indoors, provided the soil is amenable and there is plenty of sunlight. Herbs will grow best in well-prepared soil. Make sure it is rich in organic matter and drains well. Also, for plants like parsley, be sure to have deep pots or dig deeply in the garden to give the plants room to establish their long taproots. Until the danger of frost has passed, you may want to begin herb cultivation indoors and then transfer plants outside during the summer. Basil, for instance, is a tropical plant that does well in warm conditions. Therefore, it will need to be kept away from drafts and get several hours of direct sunshine a day. Place most herb planters in a southfacing window of a home to ensure they get ample sunlight and to allow the soil to dry adequately between watering. With many herbs, leaf production will diminish on any stems that flower. It is essential to pinch off flowers that form to encourage the herb plant to continue producing leaves, which are the parts of the plant most associated with seasoning and aroma.