I missed out on sowing season, but I grew my favorite fresh herbs in one week — and it’s a game-changer

(Image credit: Future) There’s nothing more rewarding than growing your own fresh produce in the comfort of your own home. Be it succulent tomatoes from scratch to nurturing fragrant indoor herb gardens, you can enjoy the convenience of picking your fresh ingredients to go straight into your tasty meals.Plus, it’s a great way to cut down on those expensive supermarket trips.But with the peak of summer already here, the window for sowing many of my favorite greens and aromatic herbs has closed — especially if you’re unsure how to plant in a heatwave.That was until I discovered this clever alternative of growing fresh herbs in my kitchen all year round. What’s more, the entire process was easy to start, and, amazingly, I grew my favorite aromatic greens in just over a week. Here's how.What I used Auk Mini 2 on shelf (Image credit: Future)Designed as a smart, self-contained grow box, the Auk Mini 2 is a smart method of growing plants fast, without the long wait.Since it features a built-in grow light to power your plants, there’s no need for natural sunlight, making it the ideal solution for small apartment living or homes without a yard. More importantly, you can have homegrown produce all year round.Thanks to its sleek and Scandinavian design, I easily tucked the unit onto a shelf by my kitchen sink, which also benefited from the natural window light.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.One thing to bear in mind, however, is that you do need warmth for your plants to grow faster (around 68-77°F).Fortunately, my kitchen is the coziest spot in the house, making it the prime location for growing herbs.The one-week experiment Herbs sowing in the Auk Mini 2 grow box (Image credit: Future)Days 1-3: Growing herbs in the Auk Mini 2 after three days (Image credit: Future)If I’m honest, I wasn’t expecting such fast growth, but I was pleased to spot green sprouts emerging almost right away. As I had hoped, it was my basil that started out the strongest.Days 4-6: Growing herbs in the Auk Mini 2 after 6 days (Image credit: Future)Finally, the parsley began to peek through on the left, although it certainly took its time to join the party. My basil, on the other hand, was really thriving and filling my kitchen with an aromatic smell.Additionally, the water dial/meter was almost at red — this is an indicator to top up the water until you see the white dot in the center again.Days 7-9: Herbs growing in Auk Mini 2 grow box after nine days (Image credit: Future)By the ninth day, I was truly amazed by the flourishing greenery from both herb varieties. And the nightly grow light cycle acted as a catalyst for this fast-tracked development. Just remember to adjust the light bar above as your herbs grow taller to avoid scorching the leaves.Where I would probably have waited weeks for my seeds to sprout in a pot outdoors in my yard, this grow box took just over seven days. Impressive.Best of all, I know that my crops are completely organic, and I now enjoy the convenience of picking my lush leaves whenever I need them, ready to go straight into my summer salads or tasty pasta dishes. You can’t get better than that.So if you ever want to try your hand at planting an indoor herb garden, or simply don't have the patience to wait until next growing season, I'd recommend investing in a smart grow box.If you have any top tips for growing herbs indoors, comment below. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Alternatively, you can read our content on the Tom's Guide app available now for iOS and Android. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok. Finally, you can visit our dedicated Tom's Guide Savings Squad hub for expert help on getting the best products for less. More from Tom's GuideTry these 7 best vegetables to grow indoorsCheck out these 7 clever ways to store garden tools and save spaceOr 7 best plants to grow on a balcony As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many. With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!