I’m not much of cook, which is unfortunate because I’m paranoid about everything from pesticides to GMOs (I need this portable molecular sensor already!). Like most people, I’m left hoping that what’s labeled “organic” or “grass-fed” actually is (though I’ve read countless stories about how that is far too often not the case). While I clearly can’t grow all my produce in my NYC apartment or go out fishing for my salmon, there are small things that we all can do to not only improve our health and nutrition but our overall wellbeing.
One of the easiest things we can do is grow an indoor herb garden; yes, even without sunlight or rain, it can be easy! Just make sure that you contact pest control Montrose a few times a year to keep insects and other animals away from your home.
Rosemary, sage, thyme, cilantro, parsley, basil, and oregano are among the easiest to grow year-round and to add to basic dishes so you can have more flavor – even if all you’re doing is steaming some veggies and fish. You can also use some of them to make tea! Though you can opt to grow your herbs from the seed and plant them in a pot, to optimize the process check out Click & Grow.
Click & Grow is brand that I’ve been using for a few months to grow herbs, and I’m pretty obsessed. It allows you to “smart garden,” and it works not only for herbs but for vegetables and flowers as well. Everything is included in their starter kit. Just unbox, put the pieces in place, add water, plug it into a socket (The plants grow via an LED light that mimics natural light; it gives the plants enough light to grow and only requires six watts of energy), and that’s it! You can grow things like basil, chili pepper, mini tomatoes, peppermint, spinach, and arugula without worrying whether or not the plants have enough water, nutrients, or light. The smart device takes care of everything (the lamp is attached to a built-in timer that requires no user input or app), and it only takes a few days for you to see some action. The pot in which your plant sits has been engineered to supply plant roots with the right amount of oxygen, water, and nutrients at all times (and there is no noise!). It really is foolproof (take it from me…I once killed a cactus) and perfect for those who don’t like to garden or don’t have the time but still want the benefits. It’s also a great way to start people small before going into outdoor gardening, fencing, and landscaping your backyard.
Even if you opt for a more hands-on approach, growing most herbs is fairly low maintenance and such a great way to add flavor and dimension to your meals without fat, sodium, sugar, or many calories. With summer – and beach bod time – around the corner, why wait to start gardening?