Windowsill herb gardens not only allow you to practice or improve upon your green thumb, but they also make for unique kitchen decor. Most herb plants aren't fussy about space, so they can fit snugly in a pretty little window box or container.

For those of you who feel like you may not possess a gardener's green thumb, don?t worry! The Cook's Nook in Longview has a great little gadget that practically does the work for you. The AeroGarden is a kitchen appliance that grows fresh herbs, salad greens and more without using any dirt involved – all you'll need is air and water! This stainless steel gadget is $169.

To learn more about the hobby of herb gardening, Charm sat down with Bonnie Holloway, owner of Longview's Emerald Gardens. She offered up suggestions on which herbs are best for indoor gardens, as well as tips to creating your own windowsill herb box.

What to plant

"The first thing to remember when planting any herb garden, whether it's indoor or out, is that this project should be fun, not a hassle," Bonnie said. "Only grow the plants you know you'll cook with, and that will make it worth the effort and upkeep."

If you're unsure just what types of herbs you'll be cooking with most of the time, Bonnie gave a few suggestions. She named some popular herbs found in many dishes or toppings: basil, parsley, oregano, chives and mint.

"Most herbs will grow well with the same sunlight, soil and growing conditions, but it's important to learn about each herb to make sure you can plant them together," Bonnie said. "Common sense should tell you that before you plant them, make sure you learn just what each different herb needs to live."

For example, rosemary and thyme need slightly moist soil, while parsley and mint grow best in soil that retains lots of moisture. Herbs can be purchased from local nurseries or garden centers, and can be started from seed, if desired. But something they all seem to have in common: They are sun worshippers. Here are some descriptions of commonly used herbs and what they need in order to survive:

Basil This herb is wonderful for seasoning meats or sauces. Pinch fresh basil into your pesto sauce or add a sprinkle on your veal and you'll change the flavor of your entire meal.

Basil is extremely aromatic, and it has smooth or crinkled leaves. It needs full sunlight and prefers well-drained soil to survive. If you plan on planting basil with other herbs, allow at least 12 inches between the plants.

Parsley is one of the most familiar of all herbs and is used for garnishing and flavoring. Oftentimes it doesn't get the recognition it deserves – it's a great source of vitamins A and C!

One thing to remember when planting parsley is that it prefers full sun to partial shade. This herb is one of the easiest to grow because it can withstand poor soil and poor drainage, but try to water it at least once a week. Allow at least three inches between each planted parsley seed.

Oregano Ah, oregano – the herb that spices up tomato sauce and adds extra zest to any hot Italian dish.

It's also another fairly easy herb to grow indoors. It likes well-drained soil and full sun. If the soil's too rich it tends to dilute the pungency of the flavor, so keep the soil on the lean side. Because oregano can reach a width of 10 to 20 inches wide, it's best to give this herb a good amount of space to grow.

Chives are a must in the kitchen. Use them in salads or soups, on baked potatoes with sour cream, or any place where you would use onions.

These herbs prefer full sun, but are OK in a fair amount of shade. Almost any soil will do, but it's best if the soil is well-drained. Grow them about 10 inches apart and watch these little herbs blossom into beautiful purple plants.

Mint The types of mint used most in the culinary world are peppermint and spearmint. While mint is good for adding a fresh taste to new potatoes as well as fruit salads, try tossing a few leaves in your tea or hot chocolate tonight. Yum!

Like the others, mint can do well in full sun or partial shade, and require well-drained, rich soil. It is a more aggressive grower than the others, so give it space. Allow 15 to 18 inches between seeds.

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There are many herbs to choose from. Once you've decided which ones you'll use most often, it's time to start planting!

1 Find a sunny windowsill where your herbs can grow. A south or southeast window would be perfect if it gets at least 5 hours of sun per day and is away from drafts.

2 Purchase a container that is at least 6-12 inches deep. You can plant multiple herbs in a wide or long container or use at least a 6-inch pot for individual plants.

3 Use a soilless potting mix. Be sure the mix is light and will be well-draining.

4 Put a 2-3 inch layer of potting mix into the bottom of your container and position your herb plants or seeds in the container.

5 Finish filling in with the potting mix.

6 Feed once a month with an organic fertilizer labeled for use on edibles.

7 Allow the plants some time to acclimate. Once they start growing, start cooking with them!