Tips for growing herbs indoors • Use organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion or sea kelp for your herbs. They're going in your body, after all. • Do not allow your herbs to set bud or flower when using for culinary purposes. • Prune or pinch back your herbs regularly to keep them full and productive. • Keep your herbs uniformly moist, but not soggy. • Place your potted herbs in a bright, sunny location.

Your indoor herb garden can be started from seed now. Terra cotta containers, such as the stacked glazed one on the left, work well.

Too many times, as growers, we fail to bring the fruits of our labors indoors. When the threat of frost draws near, gardeners should consider extending their growing season by bringing the garden inside.

It's not too late to start your winter herb garden from seed or winter over those you've grown outside. Herbs such as basil, parsley, chives, and oregano are good choices for growing indoors.

Something tall, something fluffy, and something drippy will give a European/Tuscan look to your herb collection. Basil, chives, parsley, oregano, and winter savory are good choices, both aesthetically and practically.

"Basically," says Claudia C. Swanson, whose Dirty Hands Garden Center is in Powhatan, "the relationship of three components - containers, plants, and placement of the finished project- makes or breaks your overall look. While proportion is important, it is this relationship that produces success." Stylewise, Swanson recommends something tall, something fluffy, and something drippy to create a European/Tuscan look. "This," she says, "gives a full, multi-dimensional effect.

Swanson also suggests checking the container for good drainage. If you find it lacking, add a few inches of stones or gravel to the bottom of the pot before planting, and monitor closely for watering. Protect your floors and other fragile surfaces by placing saucers under the pots.