7 STEPS TO CREATE AN INDOOR HERB GARDEN
Why not create a little herb garden inside to connect with nature and amp up your culinary adventures?
Indoor Herb gardens provide fresh cuttings for your homemade meals, cocktails or even add interest in small floral arrangements. These small gardens do not take up much room and bring an organic vibe to your home. They are practical, charming and useful – sign me up!
Let’s explore what to grow, how to do it and get you gardening!
What to grow
What herbs do you use in your cooking? If you are not a cooker, fresh herbs may still be for you as they liven up any store bought food too. I’ve been known to spruce up a few frozen pizzas with fresh sprigs of basil and oregano and easily impress my guests. What about adding fresh mint in your tea? An instant way to make you fancy!
Choose the herbs you enjoy tasting and smelling.
The best herbs to grow indoors are Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme. The easiest of that crew is Mint and Rosemary. I haven’t been able to kill one of these plants yet! I find the trickiest herb to be basil.
How to do it
To get your indoor herb garden going, you will need a few items:
Sunny Location (or a grow light)
Quality Potting Mix
Containers with drainage holes
Herbs or seeds
Water
Sunny Location
Herbs need a sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of sun a day. Light actually contributes to the flavor of herbs so this is critical! A windowsill facing South or East is ideal especially in the Winter. Consider the location carefully to ensure the plants stay around 60-75 degrees indoors and get plenty of light.
When using a windowsill, consider if there is any draft or direct heat from a radiator or heating source - as you want the temperatures to stay consistent. Basil is especially sensitive to temperature change and likes to stay around 75 degrees.
If you do not have an available windowsill, you may consider purchasing a small grow light which allows you to put your herbs anywhere in your home. If you want to use what you got, just be certain to use a CFL bulb in an existing lamp or task light to promote growth and keep it lit for 6-8 hours on the herbs.
Once you have your sunny spot picked out, let’s get some good dirt!
Quality Potting Mix
Be certain to buy a quality potting mix - not garden dirt or garden mix as this soil is too heavy. Potting Soil is lighter and contains an aerator (those little pearly white pebbles you see in the mix) which allows the water to absorb and the roots to breathe. One of my favorite potting mix is Miracle Grow Potting Mix and can be found at any local hardware store or nursery. I prefer to buy dirt with fertilizer already mixed in so I can keep it simple initially.
Once the herb garden is thriving (2-3 months old), I will add an organic fertilizer to promote growth. A seaweed or fish based fertilizer is best for herbs.
Containers
Choosing your container is part of the fun! There are suitable pots in clay, ceramic, plastic or consider a homemade pot. Just about any container with drainage holes will work. If you don’t have a pot, perhaps use an old tomato sauce can or olives to perk up your décor! Just be certain to poke holes in the bottom to allow for drainage and consider a tray or plate underneath to protect your surfaces from water.
I suggest using separate containers for each herb so you can tend to each herb separately. This way if the basil gets finicky, you don’t need to transplant it – just take one pot to the sink or the new location. It is also ideal to have separate containers so you can move them around if the light needs to be adjusted.
Where to get your herbs
Local nurseries, Coops and big box stores carry herbs in the Spring - Fall months. Winter can be a little trickier although grocery stores often carry potted Basil, Thyme and Rosemary in the winter. Check in the produce and floral sections. Once you have your herbs, let’s get dirty!
Plant it up!
It’s time to plant your new herbs in the containers. When you transfer the plants, gently remove them from their original container and lightly squeeze the roots to break them apart giving them room to breath and expand in their new containers. Fill the new container with quality dirt and position it as you like.
Water
Infrequent, slow watering is best. Generally, water your herbs 2-3 times a week. Pay attention to them in-between waterings – they will let you know if they are dry. If you see leaves falling or wilting, show they some extra love. However, typically watering them 2-3 times a week is plenty as herbs don’t like to sit in water.
Now relax and enjoy!
How about a little cilantro in your salad, fresh basil or oregano on your pizza or mint in your mojito? Let me know what your do with your herbs!
