Luckily, you don't need to have much of a green thumb to grow an indoor herb garden in one of our Flagstaff apartments. All you need are some basic gardening supplies, a sunny surface, and a bit of TLC. 

Know what to plant

Low-maintenance herbs including basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, mint, and chives all do very well indoors. It's recommended to start an herb garden from seeds, which you can find at your local home improvement store.

Pick a planter

Herbs can be grown in almost any container but will need to be re-potted if they start to outgrow it. The soil also needs to be able to drain, so be sure your container has holes on the bottom and a saucer for excess water.

Soak up the sun

Herbs need six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive, so find a sunny spot for the plants. Windowsills or patios are ideal.

Just add (a little) water

One of the reasons people like herb gardens is that they require very little water. The soil should be just visibly moist. Watch for yellow or wilted leaves, which are signs the plant is being over-watered.

Enjoy fresh herbs

Once your herbs have started to grow, it's time to harvest them. Pay attention to when their flowers begin to bud and cut herbs just before they bloom. Use shears and never take more than a quarter of the plant at once.

At our apartments in Flagstaff, spring is the perfect time to plant an indoor herb garden. Contact us today to check out our newly renovated apartment homes!

The post How to Create an Indoor Herb Garden appeared first on Butterfield Apartments Blog.

Whether you're a beginning cook or you've been cooking for years, you know the value of fresh herbs in your dishes. They add nutrition and savory goodness with every bite. 

Let's take a look at 5 recipes that use fresh herbs:

Basil in Pesto

When you're planning to cook in your Flagstaff apartments, few things are more enticing than fresh pesto and bread. You'll need fresh basil leaves, Romano cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic cloves, salt and black pepper. You can eat it with crackers, bread or spread it on your favorite turkey sandwich.

Parsley in Soups

Fresh parsley is a tasty addition to any soup. Parsley complements chicken, beef, pork, vegetables and most any other spice. The next time you're making soup, toss in shredded fresh parsley leaves for added nutrition and flavor. 

Cilantro in Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry

If your palate is one to crave spicy foods, try adding cilantro to a spicy chicken coconut curry dish. While the original dish is satisfying, cilantro can bump it up to the next level. 

Rosemary in Mashed Potatoes

The next time you mash up some potatoes, throw some fresh rosemary in the mix. For best results, add it at the halfway cooking mark. Rosemary offers nutritional benefits with a pleasant earthy flavor. 

Lavender in Yogurt

This one may seem a little odd, but it's really good if you're a lavender fan. And if you're up for an adventure, try adding fresh lavender to your morning yogurt. Top with a few blueberries, a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of cinnamon, and your breakfast is set. 

Fresh Herbs in Flagstaff

Whether harvesting them from your own indoor flowerpot or picking them up at the farmers market, fresh herbs are a must-have in any kitchen setting. If you'll be cooking with fresh herbs in the Flagstaff area, check us out at Butterfield Apartments today. 

The post 5 Ideas For Using Fresh Herbs appeared first on Butterfield Apartments Blog.