The Herb Basket Sampler is an attractive way to have fresh herbs for the kitchen right at your fingertips. Fresh herbs add a wonderful and completely different dimension to food when compared to the dried, store-bought variety. It is the perfect way to dress up your favorite dishes. The 13 piece garden set comes with an attractive woven basket planter with hand-painted tile and liner, herb identification stakes, and seeded mats for a 2 season harvest of the 6 most commonly used herbs. The basket planter is the perfect size for a sunny patio tabletop or just outside the kitchen door. As always, a little extra care will insure you have maximum results from your Instant Flower Garden® product.
Varieties - Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Oregano (Origanun vulgare), Parsley (Petroselinum crispum latifolium), and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris).
General Installation and Watering - Fill the container with potting soil to within 1/2" of the top. Cut each seeded mat in half and set aside a section from each mat for a second season. Place the seeded mat sections over the soil and water liberally being careful not to over saturate. See Garden Basics for detailed information about Soil Preparation for Containers, How to Store Unused Mats for Next Season, and other helpful tips.
Special Considerations - The Herb Basket Sampler comes with a plastic liner, so you can use the container on a table top without concern for water drip-through. It is important, however, that you avoid overwatering and provide just enough water for the soil to feel moist to the touch but not soggy.
Where to Plant - Full to partial sun.
What I Can Expect - The Instant Flower Garden® Herb Basket Sampler plants will germinate in 1 to 3 weeks depending upon conditions and soil temperature. Patience is necessary in this phase. Cool evenings and overcast days can delay germination. In addition, soil in container gardens may warm a bit more slowly than in-ground conditions. After the second set of leaves unfold, some thinning may be necessary to avoid crowding and allow for stronger mature plants. Expect the Herb Basket Sampler plants to grow to a height of 6 to 30 inches. Once established, cut herbs frequently and enjoy them in a fresh summer salad or sprinkled with some olive oil on chicken.
Bonus Cooking Ideas - Fresh cilantro is wonderful on tacos. For a tantalizing al fresco treat, toss well-drained hot pasta with olive oil, garlic, chopped tomatoes, and a generous handful of chopped basil, oregano, and parsley. Shred some good parmesean cheese over the top. Ooh, momma mia! Dill is a flavorful addition to broiled fish, sliced cucumbers, a green salad, or a mayonnaise based dip. To make unbeatable oven-fries, toss wedge-cut raw potatoes with thyme, salt, pepper, and a small amount of oil, place on a metal cookie sheet, and bake, turning several times, at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes until crisp. Yum, Yum!
Be sure to visit Garden Basics for more helpful tips and techniques.
In order to achieve optimal growing conditions, it is best to plant this product after the last frost of Spring 2008.
