(Photo: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)

Start pots of basil, cilantro, chives, arugula, and mint now in order to have fresh herbs for spring cooking. They thrive even without direct sunlight (herbs, $8, and pots, $12 to $29, at GRDN, 103 Hoyt St., nr. Pacific St., Boerum Hill; 718-797-3628).