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RIGHT AT HOME
with Kate Springer
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In a busy, dense city like Hong Kong, there’s something undeniably soothing about having some greenery at home. And there’s a reason for that: a growing body of research has shown that plants, green space and gardening can improve our mental and physical health.
While most of us don’t have room for a bountiful outdoor vegetable garden, you can likely spare a windowsill for some leafy herbs or microgreens. And who doesn’t love fresh herbs to jazz up their cooking, cocktails and baked goods?
Homegrown social enterprise Rooftop Republic is all about cultivating urban farming and gardening across Hong Kong, so we caught up with keen home gardener Cherry Mak, the company’s marketing and operations executive.
She shares her insights on how to start a herb garden, the basic tools you’ll need, common mistakes, and which herbs will work best for your living space: Q When did you start gardening at home? After I joined Rooftop Republic, I felt inspired to start my own indoor garden in 2018. I have a small plot of herbs and plants – basil, rosemary and mint – which is perfect for my apartment. Q What’s your favourite thing about having a herb
garden?
I love that it’s very practical. Herbs are quite expensive in Hong Kong and, often, you have to buy a big pack, only to use a few leaves. But when I have my own herbs, I can just pluck leaves when I need them for pizza, mojitos, pasta, pork dishes, steak, baking... For instance, I love to put fresh basil in my tomato bread.
Q What’s the first step to starting your own herb
garden?
Buy a pot, organic soil, seeds, and get started. It’s so simple, but a lot of people overthink it. And actually, you don't even need a pot! You can use a bottle, jar or a cup for a small garden in your apartment, then use a fork or spoon to care for them.
Q What are the best types of herbs to grow indoors? My windows are north-facing, so I don’t have direct sunlight, which I think is a common issue in Hong Kong. I have found that rosemary and mint can tolerate low-light well. Even though basil prefers direct sunlight, it can still grow on your windowsill. Mine just grows a bit slower.
We also suggest microgreens, sage, parsley, lemon balm and marigold for indoor spaces. Marigold is like a
chrysanthemum - it’s an edible flower and you can make a really nice, aromatic tea with it. Sage, on the other hand, is ideal to cook with, especially for meat and fish dishes.
Q And which herbs are best for a terrace or rooftop? If you have lots of direct sunlight, we suggest plants like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, and dill. Generally speaking, herbs grow easily compared to fruiting crops. Although chilli and fennel also love sunlight, they need more care in general. Another thing to keep in mind is that plants with strong aromas - like sage - will keep pests away, while those that sprout fruits can attract pests.
Q How do you ward off insects? When you grow plants indoors, make sure the ventilation is good because a wet, moist environment will attract a lot of insects, especially if you water your plants too much. I always stress that you water your plants’ soil twice a day - once in the early morning, once in the evening. Don’t spritz the leaves, because the heat from the sun will evaporate the water and burn the leaves.
If you see insects emerge, we suggest using yellow sticky fly paper to trap the insects. If that doesn't work, then you can spray diluted neem oil or soapy water. You want to avoid chemicals because you plan to consume those herbs and vegetables. Q What are some common mistakes that people
make?
People often get confused about seasonality and climate. You should choose seeds that are meant for your climate. For instance, if you buy some rosemary seeds online from Japan or Australia, they might not be suitable for Hong Kong. Buy seed varieties from Southeast Asia or Taiwan, so you know they will grow well here.
Seasonality is more important when growing fruiting crops - melon or beans grow well in the summer, while kale, radish, and tomato do well in winter. But if you’re just planning on growing herbs, then it is much easier. Basil is a good example: In winter, basil may not germinate as well and growth may slow down, then it will put out many more leaves in the summer. Yet, it still grows all year round. Q What else will keep our herb garden healthy
and happy?
Prune your herbs! Pruning stimulates the side branches and helps the plant grow outward, so it can get wider and fuller. If you don’t prune, then they’ll just grow straight up. Also, consume your herbs regularly, because the plant will learn to replenish itself and keep up with demand.
Q When’s the best time to start a herb garden? Right now, especially since we are all spending way too much time at home these days. Planting herbs is a simple way to improve your personal environment, and wellbeing in the process. If you have a family, it is also a nice way to bond with your children and give them some hands-on, educational activities. Kids can learn all about the life cycles of plants, how to care for their herbs, and how to use them in cooking and baking!
