How do I grow a herb garden in my back yard? What are useful herbs to grow? Can I use a container so I can move it indoors in the wintertime?

The grow-your-own movement is all well and good if you’ve got a great yard, but tons of people don’t have access to an outdoor space. So we spoke with gardening experts to figure out what it takes to grow herbs indoors. How does my garden grow?

Here’s how: All about light, water, pots, soil, food, and more. Gardening expert Rose Marie Nichols McGee answers your questions. Growing anything isn’t easy (and yes, you may kill off a few plants before you get the hang of it); just start with the simple stuff.

Even if you won’t be able to brag about your heirloom tomatoes, you can still feel the satisfaction of putting your own basil in a cocktail or stir-frying with some fresh lemongrass. Here’s a breakdown of what to grow, for clueless gardeners to the greenest of thumbs. Or jump to an explanation of light, water, pots, soil, food, and more.

Bay Tree: A very slow grower. Be sure you pick up a Laurus nobilis, cautions Rose Marie Nichols McGee, coauthor of Bountiful Container and co-owner of Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany, Oregon; the Laurus nobilis is best for cooking with. Bay tree can become infested with scale if it gets too dry—use dishwashing detergent to wash off the leaves, then rinse them thoroughly.

Chive: Doesn’t require as much light as some other herbs. The Grolau variety was bred for growing indoors. Kaffir Lime Tree: Kaffir lime leaves are often used in Thai cooking.

Be sure you give this plant special citrus food. Lemongrass: A good way to cheat, because it requires no soil; you can just use a stalk you get at the market. Make sure it has a good amount of stem and the bottom is intact; trim the top and put it in a container with a couple of inches of water.

Mint: Very invasive, so it needs its own pot. Peppermint is great for teas, and you’ll only need a little of it. You usually need a lot of spearmint for recipes, so it may not be worth growing in a container.

Parsley: It doesn’t need much sun, says Carole Ottesen, author of The New American Garden, but it’s a slow grower so may not yield a whole lot. Oregano: Try the Greek variety. Needs a lot of light.