How to grow your own herbs indoors
Growing your own herbs indoors is not only a fun and rewarding exercise, but it also saves you money and provides you with bundles of fresh, aromatic and delicious herbs to use in your cooking - something which will enliven and enrich any dreary meal that has been casually thrown together!
The fact that you can snip your herbs as and when you need them also ensures that you are not buying packets of fresh herbs and then throwing half of them away due to non-use.
The fact that you can snip your herbs as and when you need them also ensures that you are not buying packets of fresh herbs and then throwing half of them away due to non-use.
People mainly grow their own herbs to use in cooking with some of the most popular being parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, basil and chives. Herbs also have other uses as well, including being ingredients for aromatic oils, scents, teas and pot pourri.
Growing your own herbs indoors is quick and simple to do. All that is required is a suitable container, some well-draining potting soil, your chosen herb plants or seeds and a sunny windowsill. Why not try with one or two of your favourite herbs before experimenting with a whole array of plants?
Even if you do have outdoor space to grow your own herbs, having them indoors and so close to your fingertips, ensures not having to run out into any bad weather that may occur outside when you need to add a few snippets to your favourite dish.
When setting about growing your own herbs indoors, there are certain conditions that have to be met for success to be achieved and the for the best results to be obtained.
Growing your own herbs indoors is quick and simple to do. All that is required is a suitable container, some well-draining potting soil, your chosen herb plants or seeds and a sunny windowsill. Why not try with one or two of your favourite herbs before experimenting with a whole array of plants?
Even if you do have outdoor space to grow your own herbs, having them indoors and so close to your fingertips, ensures not having to run out into any bad weather that may occur outside when you need to add a few snippets to your favourite dish.
When setting about growing your own herbs indoors, there are certain conditions that have to be met for success to be achieved and the for the best results to be obtained.
The container for your herbs
The container in which you will grow your herbs should be somewhere between 8 - 12 inches (20cm - 30cm) deep and you should allow 6 - 8 inches (15cm - 20cm) for each plant. You can use individual pots or a long one to hold several herbs together. If using one long container, ensure that there is a space of 6 - 8 inches (15cm - 20cm) between each herb.
The soil
A well-draining and extra light soil must be used for indoor herb growing. If you are unsure, ask an assistant in your garden centre for help. Place a 3 inch (7cm - 8cm) layer of potting soil in the bottom of the container, carefully set your herb plants in position and fill to almost the top of the container with more potting soil, firming down around the plants.
To ensure good drainage, place the container in a shallow tray filled with pebbles and an inch of water. It is imperative that the herb plants do not sit in stagnant water, which could harm the plants and cause them to die. Buy your herb plants from a reputable source and check that they have a healthy appearance and are free from disease and pests.
To ensure good drainage, place the container in a shallow tray filled with pebbles and an inch of water. It is imperative that the herb plants do not sit in stagnant water, which could harm the plants and cause them to die. Buy your herb plants from a reputable source and check that they have a healthy appearance and are free from disease and pests.
Light
One of the most important factors for growing herbs indoors is that they need plenty of light. A sunny windowsill that receives at least six hours of natural light a day would be the best, but if not, 14 - 16 hours of artificial lighting will do. You can purchase special fluorescent lights specifically for this purpose. Turn the containers occasionally to ensure that all sides of the plants reach the light if relying on natural sunshine.
Temperature for your herb garden
Herbs will flourish under a constant temperature of between 60°F (15°C) - 70°F (21°C). Try to ensure that the room is not too hot or too cold.
Air flow
Ideally, the air in the room should move around. This will help to keep pests and bacteria to a minimum.
Fertiliser
Herbs do not really need much fertiliser to grow well. Apply once every few weeks and make sure that the fertiliser that you use is suitable for edible plants.
Water
Water the herb plants once or twice a week but do not saturate them. As mentioned before, the water must be able to drain through the soil rather than sit and stagnate.
Harvesting your herb garden
The herbs should be allowed to grow to a certain height before harvesting them. This should be about 8 inches (20cm). Snip what you need for each meal with kitchen scissors; making sure that no more than a quarter of the plant is harvested at one time.
The herbs must have the time to grow back before any more is removed. The more frequently you snip the herbs, the more quickly they will re-grow and supply you with a constant stock of delicious and fresh herbs.
The herbs must have the time to grow back before any more is removed. The more frequently you snip the herbs, the more quickly they will re-grow and supply you with a constant stock of delicious and fresh herbs.
