Food on the table

Nothing makes more difference to the taste of food than fresh herbs. But chasing around town to find a fresh bunch of oregano or tarragon to chop onto your pasta or carrots can be time consuming and sometimes unsuccessful. I always hope that the bunch will last for a few days but even if it is kept in water it looks less than happy (or healthy) when I return to it a few days later. The alternative is to use those dried old leaves in that plastic tub that you know - well - should smell of something: or those little force fed pots that they sell in supermarkets that whither and die after a few days.

This weekend I decided that the best use for my balcony (of limited size) was to grow fresh herbs. I already had the window box but had neglected to take the trouble to go to a garden centre and check the range of herbs on offer. For 25 Euros I bought myself pots of oregano, mint, thyme, tarragon and some coriander seeds (leaf coriander is my favourite herb and acquiring it always involves a visit to the middle eastern shop and pot luck as to whether they will have any fresh supplies). I succumbed to the temptation of a few potted geraniums for visual appeal, some large pots (garden centres always sell things when they need potting on) and a small bag of potting compost. When I get home I alternate the herbs and flowers in the window box and now have a visual delight and culinary resource on my window ledge. I’m thinking there might be room for a little rocket and spinach somewhere…