India, Nov. 26 -- Winter always nudges people to lean into fresh greens, and the simplest way to keep things truly organic is to grow them at home. It may sound a bit tricky at first, though a few generous gardening friends have shown me how easy it can be. Growing your own food in a pot feels far simpler than keeping lilies cheerful or coaxing roses into bloom.

Over time, I have tried lettuce, spinach, methi and even spring onions. Mint still steals the show for me since it grows like friendly wild grass and slips into chutneys, drinks and warm herbal teas without any effort from my side. With that same spirit, balcony gardening in winter becomes a lovely way to bring a bit of freshness into everyday meals. Here is a guide to five easy ...