Herbs for the backyard, windowsill

This book can be to those of us living in townhouses with little or no backyard, or apartments with a tiny gallery, or no gallery at all.

Chefs and first-class cooks agree that, at a pinch, dried herbs will do, but there is no substitute for the subtle taste of fresh-picked herbs.

A window box growing a selection of your favourite herbs can transform your dishes from run-of-the-mill and everyday to a gourmet’s delight.

I already grow herbs — with varying success. Incidentally, what has happened to flat — “French” or “Italian Giant” — parsley that grew like a weed until four or five (or more years) ago, when it was near impossible to grow curly parsley?

Now it’s the devil’s own job to grow a pot full of flat parsley while curly parsley thrives. The American Horticultural Society’s tips on the right soils and containers, and (for those with space in the backyard) rock gardens, or baroque-style knot gardens of herbs have inspired me to try new, decorative planting methods (see, I hope, the page showing how to arrange them) and may persuade you to grow your own as well.

You’ll find the American Horticultural Society Herb Gardens by Richard Rosenfeld at Nigel Khan, Bookseller, PricePlaza, Ellerslie Plaza, Gulf City and The Falls, Westmall.