Rec and Sports

Growing plants for the larder

Whether you grow the one or both, use a seed box containing up to two inches of finely sifted soil, light and well drained. Sow the seed thickly on the surface and do not cover this but press it down firmly into the surface. Water well, place inside a transparent plastic bag and put away in an airing cupboard or some similar place where the temperature will be fairly steady at between 5o and 60F.

Leave it there until it is obvious that the majority of the seeds have germinated and then bring out into the light, again in a warm place. When the little seedlings are only an inch or so high cut them with scissors as you need them, but do not let them get too mature. Keep sowing successions every week or two and you will always have some ready and fresh for salads, sandwiches and garnishes.

Miniature bay trees, no more than two feet tall, are on sale in many garden centers and have met with a ready response. They have been grown especially for indoor cultivation and are quite attractive in appearance with their regular, triangular shape and their thick, dark green leaves. Bay leaves are not so frequently used as some herbs, and the odd leaf or two plucked for soups and stews will not be missed from the thick-growing foliage. When the bay is clipped into shape the shoots may be dried.

Just as easy and quick to grow, using almost exactly the same methods, are Chinese bean sprouts, sometimes known as Mung beans. These normally come from the seedman in a pack containing between a half and one pound, with a special growing punnet.

Several herbs can be grown at the same time in a container such as this and several different sizes are available. Bear in mind, however, that if mint is grown together with other herbs, the roots are spreading and invasive, so contain them in a pot or otherwise restrain their roots from wandering.

Yet the cress is almost tasteless and used mainly as a filler and a softener for the stronger tasting mustard. Try to grow mustard alone. When it is cut young and immature it is quite mild.