What could be better than adding a touch of freshness to your meals with organic herbs such as basil and rosemary?

And an even better way to do this is to grow them yourself! Nagpur-based entrepreneur Simran Dua shares her top tips for cultivating herbs right at home.

Soak the seeds in water for 1-2 days until they sprout.  Meanwhile, prepare small pots with moist cocopeat, which Simran recommends for its nutritional benefits over soil.

Water the pots twice daily for the first 10 days without applying too much pressure. By day 10, the seeds should germinate.  Place the pots in a spot with medium sunlight and fresh air. You may also add organic fertilisers like compost.

After 30 days, reduce watering to once a day by being careful not to over-saturate. By day 45, the herbs should be ready to harvest.  Pick leaves or stems as needed, allowing the plant to continue growing.

Rosemary: Rosemary thrives in cool climates. Avoid growing it outdoors or in your kitchen, where heat from appliances could be too intense. Instead, place it in a cooler area, like your living room or bedroom.

Basil: It grows 1 to 2 feet tall and has widespread leaves. Plant every seed maintaining a 2-feet distance. If space is limited, grow one plant in one pot and place them separately.

Parsley: It grows best when grown in seed trays and then transferred to pots after a month. Though the process is longer, this method promotes healthier plants.

Garlic Chives: These herbs spread quickly, so sow them 8 to 12 inches apart. To prevent self-seeding, remove flower buds and trim leaves when they grow over one inch above the ground.

Rocket leaves: They self-seed easily. This means that their flowers carry seeds and one plant can result in several growing overtime. To prevent this, pinch out flower buds before they bloom. Keep the plants moist and, if it's hot, grow them in the shade.

Cherry Tomatoes: “Grow them in ample sunlight. These plants need extra nutrition and an organic way to do it is adding coffee grounds and eggshells. That will give you a healthy yield,” shares Simran.

“Every plant is unique and it may require you to be patient. So, understand the needs of your plants and change strategies accordingly,” says Simran. For your next wholesome salad, opt for freshly-picked ingredients that you have grown with care.