add chef pic Add food pic Iain Park

(add chef pic) (Add food pic) Iain Park Assistant Director of Grounds Windowsill Herbs Top Tips Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garden or balcony, but even the smallest of spaces can be used for growing. Try your hand at some easy windowsill herbs and garnishes with these easy ideas from our University Grounds Team. This is also a great activity to try with children. • Many seed packets can be bought online for delivery straight to your door. • Herbs known to be good for windowsill growing include Basil, Thyme, Chervil, Marjoram, Parsley and Mint. • Herbs can be frozen or dried to use at a later date • Experiment and adjust how many herbs you use in your cooking, as the fresh herbs will offer a different flavour to those that have been dried. Method An easy start Sprinkle mustard or cress seeds onto damp cotton wool and place on a tray on a windowsill. Keep the cotton wool damp and turn the tray regularly to ensure the seed grows straight and not towards the light. You should start to see results in a few days and be able to harvest in a few weeks. A tasty addition to a salad or sandwich. The next step Try your hand at some culinary herbs by recycling plastic containers such as yoghurt pots or drinks bottles cut in half. Poke some drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging then fill with compost. Sow the seeds of your choice, water and place in a sunny windowsill spot. Once growing, cut and use in your cooking as you wish or if too much grows at once, dry by cutting a bunch and hanging upside down until they turn ‘crisp’.