As the weather cools with fall on its way, I begin to think of cozy kitchens and cooking. When creating a culinary masterpiece, nothing compares to using fresh herbs! Here are a few tips on how to grow your own indoor herb garden.
- Locate a sunny window or ledge where your plants will have at least 5 hours of sun each day. If possible, the window should be facing south and should not be drafty.
- Purchase your favorite herbs from a local nursery. It is best to buy them partially or full grown. Beware of the plants that look straggly or unhealthy.
- Be creative with your container. For a common window box display, choose a wide long container at least 6” deep. Kate Gilby, from AllFreeCrafts.com, chose a more artistic route and used a teapot for her mint plant.
- Make sure to use a soilless potting mix in your containers to avoid soil born diseases. The mix should be light and drain easily.
- When your plants are in their soil and containers, remember to water them sparingly! They only need to be watered once a week. Be very careful as over-watering is the main cause of death for indoor plants!
- Once a month, make sure to feed your herbs with fertilizer labeled for use on edibles.
- Allow your plants to acclimate. When you start seeing new growth, your herbs are ready for use!
For best results, choose one of the following herbs: chives, basil, lavender, parsley, mint and thyme.
Sources: Kate Gilby, “Growing An Indoor Herb Garden” on AllFreeCrafts.com.
Posted: May 19, 2011