Live in an apartment long enough and you will embrace that old adage about there being no place too small to fit a garden.

Take windowsills: These narrow but generally sunlit spaces long have been used as homes for plants ranging from African violets to dwarf evergreens.

“You only need about two square feet,” says Sarah Carter, curator of herbaceous plants and outdoor gardens with the New York Botanical Garden in Brooklyn. “Look at light conditions, humidity and temperature and then choose plants that fit, rather than trying to get something to evolve.”

Herbs are probably the most popular windowsill gardening option, Carter adds. Few things are more convenient for gardeners-turned-cooks than aromatic herbs growing on a kitchen windowsill, within easy reach of stove or table.

“They do need a lot of light, so try using a south- or southeast-facing window,” she explains. “Basil, parsley, rosemary and thyme are easy (to grow) and rewarding. You can start them from seeds in winter and have something green, fresh and usable when they’re only a couple of inches high.”

If you’re a salad eater, plant baby lettuce, spinach or Asian greens to accompany the herbs. Many fast-growing veggies will produce several batches of leaves, so don’t toss them out after the first cutting.

Good drainage is crucial for whatever you decide to grow indoors, Carter says.

“Most houseplants are killed from over-watering. I use broken terracotta pots for my bottom layers as a drainer and then add the potting mix. Put plastic drip trays underneath to protect the windowsills.”

Beware of drafts from unsealed windows. Draft or no, windowsills are apt to be cold this time of year.

Consider moving your potted plants to a warm, out-of-the-way spot overnight, returning them to the sill during the day for at least six hours of nourishing sunlight.

Cherry tomatoes, dwarf cabbage, beans, peas and peppers are attractive and don’t require much elbow room. You can quadruple the size of your windowsill garden by adding a few hanging baskets or by building shelves.

An easy way to expand is by placing a 6-foot wooden ladder on each side of the window to support a few boards. That makes a sturdy platform for a sizable collection of container-grown plants.

Greenhouse or garden windows can be expensive, but offer ready-made utility. The most basic of these bay window-like arrangements are vented and tinted to mimic conditions in miniature conservatories. They provide more sunlight and humidity for your plants than they would get if placed near standard flat windows.

Another option is to set plants on tables or stands away from the windows but in places where they get a few hours of direct sun. Reflective materials such as aluminum foil can be arranged to help reflect the sun’s rays.

Sunlight can become too much of a good thing, however. West-facing windows often get hot, searing anything but the most drought-resistant plants.

source : www.courierpostonline.com By DEAN FOSDICK