I did it! Today, I decided to try something that I’ve wanted to do for the longest time, but never dared attempt! I decided to try and grow my own herbs in my kitchen, “try” being the operative word here. I have always felt that it would be more fun – and flavorful – to cook using fresh, homegrown herbs, but I’m not exactly known for having a green thumb. Despite my very best intentions, I have an unfortunate knack for killing any plant life that enters my home. It’s quite sad, really.

I refuse to accept defeat, however, and decided to read up on indoor herb-growing. The biggest obstacle for me to overcome is the lack of direct sunlight in my apartment. This has always been the most daunting factor for me, and the main reason I never tried herb-growing in the past. Indeed, there is a small storage room which separates my kitchen from the outside world, limiting the amount of sunlight that actually enters the kitchen. We are not allowed to have windowsill planters (nor anything else that alters the outward appearance of the building), so I really have no choice but to grow them indoors. A recent reorganization of our storage room has increased the influx of sunlight to my kitchen, prompting me to finally give herb-growing a try.

It seemed to me that it would be best to start out simply, choosing three, easy-to-care-for herbs that I use frequently when cooking, and that tend to thrive in low light conditions (or so I read): chives, peppermint, and parsley. I also decided to try growing oregano (because I love oregano!), but I fear that I won’t be successful. I understand that oregano likes well-lit areas, and I’m not sure my kitchen is the right environment for it. I’ll give it a go, however, and hope for the best.

Today, I picked up some seeds, pots and soil labeled “suitable for organic gardening” and planted my future (or so I hope!) herbs. I am very much a beginner when it comes to growing herbs, but I’m looking forward to learning more about caring for these plants so that they may thrive. I will keep track of their progress and update the blog accordingly. So wish me luck, dear readers. I’m going to need it!