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CartHere’s How to Start an Indoor Herb Garden
For home cooks and botanical enthusiasts, there’s nothing like an indoor herb garden to inspire and delight the senses. A good selection of ready-to-snip fresh herbs can make the difference between a so-so meal and an incredible one. Thriving fresh herbs also create delightful natural scents that remind you of summer in the garden. All of this can be yours, because developing your own indoor herb garden is easy and inexpensive.
Transfer Outdoor Herbs to the Inside of Your Home
There’s more than one way to start your own indoor herb garden. If you already grow herbs outside in the spring and summer, some can be brought inside to flourish over the winter. These include basil, dill, mint, oregano and lemongrass. Rosemary does very well if you place it in a window where it’s cool but gets lots of light. Be sure to check plants for pests and add nutrients to the soil you use in your indoor pots. Rather than digging up your outdoor herbs, you can simply take cuttings and root them in a glass of water before planting them in herb planters.
Herb Seeds vs. Herb Seedlings
Other ways to start your herb garden inside the home begin with herb seeds or herb seedlings. Herb seeds in many varieties are easy to find in the off season. Instructions for growing can be found on the seed packets. You’re unlikely to find herb seedlings in the fall-winter months but you can find a variety of products to help you give seeds a healthy start, including seed starter kits. When you place a seed into a pellet and add water, a moist and humid environment is created where it can thrive. In short order you’ll have a herb seedling that’s ready to be transplanted into a pot. You can make your project really easy by purchasing an indoor herb garden kit.
Where to Place Your Herbs
Ideally, indoor herbs will grow healthy in strong bright light because that environment results in the best flavour development. If you have a south-facing window, that’s where your herbs will thrive. If your home doesn’t have wide windowsills, simply add a small table in front. When space is at a premium, you can even find suction-cups for attaching small pots to your windows. The ideal temperature range for healthy growth is 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit or 15-21 degrees Celsius. What do you do if your home doesn’t meet those ideal conditions? For you, a grow light may be the answer. Grow lights are the perfect solution for growing a herb garden in a home with inadequate natural light. You can also buy a hydroponics kit that comes with a plant container, LED lights and plant nutrients.
Best Pots for Herbs
Once you’ve decided to create an indoor garden, you’ll need to choose pots for herbs. Here’s what to look for:
Shape & Size: This will depend on your ideal growing spot. You could place a row of small pots along a windowsill, a large multi-plant pot in a corner or a tray on a table Material: You can choose from clay, plastic or metal pots – all will work well. Drainage: Ensure that your pots have drainage holes in the bottom so your herbs don’t become waterlogged. Saucer: Place a saucer under each pot to contain any drained water
Watering Your Herbs
Newly transplanted herbs and recently sprouted herb seedlings should be watered every few days to keep the soil moist and help prevent transplant shock. Once your herbs are established, water them about every two weeks. Wait till the soil dries out before watering again. Small watering cans are easiest to handle in the house. Look for a model with a long narrow spout – this makes it easy to pour in and around small leafy plants. It’s also a good idea to keep a couple of glass watering globes/bulbs which can provide water to plants when you’re away from home.
Best Soil for Herbs
Look for indoor potting soil as the composition is different than outdoor soils. In addition to providing good drainage, indoor soils are less likely to contain pests or seeds from weeds. This will help to promote leaf growth and help inhibit root rot. You can also find soil mixes specifically designed for seeds and cuttings.
Best Fertilizer for Herbs
Because potting soils lose their efficiency over time, you’ll need to add fertilizer to your indoor herb garden. About once a month should do it. Commercial fertilizers usually contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium along with a variety of other ingredients. You can also create your own homegrown fertilizer while you’re cooking dinner! Those three nutrients are released into the cooking water when you boil potatoes, vegetables and eggs. Save the water for your herbs. Coffee grounds are also a good source of nutrients when you work them into potted soil.
Best Herbs to Grow Indoors
Home cooking enthusiasts will already have a list of their favourite herbs. Some herbs also have cosmetic uses. For instance, sage makes an excellent astringent, chamomile soothes and softens the skin and lavender can be a gentle cleanser. Here’s a selection of herbs to choose from when starting your indoor herb garden:
Basil
Bay Laurel
Chives
Chervil
Cilantro
Chamomile
Dill
Lemongrass
Marjoram
Mint
Oregano
Lavender
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
Indoor Herb Garden Tools
Whether you’re cooking or improving your skin, here’s a selection of tools that will prove handy when harvesting your herbs:
Herb Scissors & Cutters: the easiest tools for pruning herbs and cutting off what you need
Herb Strippers: make it easy to separate leaves from stems
Herb Mill: chops fresh herbs without bruising or damaging leaves
Mortar & Pestle: crushes and grinds herbs for use in specific recipes
Mezzaluna: minces or cuts herbs using a rocking motion blade
Herb Keeper: has a water reservoir for preserving cut herbs longer
An indoor herb garden offers multiple benefits. You’ll have herbs for cooking, your home will smell great, and you can even make your own skin care solutions. Perhaps most importantly, you will create a beautiful living environment in your home.
