Parsley, Peppermint, Basil and Thyme

Did you know that you can grow herbs in pots? Of course you did. But have you thought of growing them here in Japan where most people have postage stamp sized gardens at the most? Or no ground at all, just balconies that they use to hold those plastic clothes dryers and the spare umbrella. The good news is that balconies are perfect for growing herbs and a lot of herbs take very well to pot growing. If you're in the northern part of Japan, say from Tokyo upwards, probably the late spring-summer-early fall is the growing season. Here in Kagawa I can grow mints and lemon balm and rosemary all year outdoors. Basil's season is from about April (started indoors) to November. Sage doesn't like the summer heat and needs a bit of shade and a lot of water, so it does well in the cooler and rainier months, but it comes in all kinds of varieties and Pineapple Sage, which indeed smells like pineapple, is glorious. Lavender is pretty hardy as long as it doesn't get scorched by the sun. Thyme and winter savoury and oregano grow well during the season. And rosemary is the best, hardiest, and most fragrant of them all and makes wonderful scented bouquets, even if you don't use it for cooking, though focaccia with olive oil and fresh rosemary is a good reason for anyone to want to grow it.

In fact, you don't need to be an avid cook to grow herbs. You just need to love the scent, the beautiful shapes and variations of green that they bring into your life, the whiff of fresh air, even in a big city. For if you grow herbs, you are really growing fresh air, and who knows, with enough balconies sprouting herbs, they may even add a bit to the cooling effect in cities. That would be good, even if they weren't so wonderful.













And there are a lot of herbs available in Japan, either from seeds or your local plant store. Sweet basil is one of the best and easiest to find. Use it in your tomato sauces or make pesto or minestrone soup (recipes coming soon). Italian parsley is easy to grow and flavourful. Thyme does best if neglected and given small feedings.

So do yourself a favour, if you intend to be here 1 year or 20, take a day and visit the plant store or a greenhouse and bring yourself home something live. You'll make your life a little better and your home a little more welcoming. Just watering your plants and tending them reduces stress. And any of the mints, especially Peppermint or Apple Mint are great for tea. Couldn't be easier. Pick a good sprig or two and wash. Put it in your small teapot or large cup. Pour hot water over and wait a minute or two ( you don't want it too strong). Add honey or not and drink.

Put 500 yen in your pocket from not going to the specialty tea shop or cafe.

Smile.