Herb Gardening in an Apartment

Herb gardening is a great way to have fresh herbs anytime you want. Cooking with herbs brings out the flavor of almost anything you are preparing. Growing your own herbs adds to your personal touch to any meal. Herb gardens are being grown at homes all around the world. Did you know that even if you live in an apartment you can grow an herb garden?

Apartment living is nice and convenient. It does have its limitations though when it comes to gardening. Living in an apartment means you do not have yard space to till up and plant a garden. The wonderful thing about an herb garden is that you do not need that much space to plant herbs that you can enjoy. An indoor herb garden is relatively simple to create and maintain. Indoor gardening has a strategy uniquely its own.

1. Determine what type of herbs you want to grow. Choose between aromatic and culinary herbs. There is really no reason to grow something you will not use.

2. Select pots that will fit on your window sills and ones that will be large enough for your herbs. There are many choices of shapes and colors so you can find ones that will accent your décor.

3. Select windows that face south or west. Herbs need plenty of sunlight so choosing a good location is important. You can also buy plant lights if you do not have windows that will be suitable for your needs.

4. Put about an inch of gravel in the bottom of your pots. This will make sure that your soil is allowing plenty of drainage.

5. Mix two parts of potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite. To ensure the sweetness of your soil add one teaspoon of lime.

6. Plant and water your herbs. Be careful not to soak or drench your new plants. Their roots will become rotten and die.

Annual herbs such as basil, chamomile, dill, and chervil can spend their whole life cycle in an indoor pot. Perennials on the other hand will do much better if you put them outside during the summer. Chives, catnip, and bay laurel will appreciate time on the patio or balcony.

You can keep an indoor herb garden indefinitely. Feed them periodically and repot them as necessary. Renew your annuals after they have fulfilled their life cycles and move your perennials with the changing seasons. Don't forget to water your herbs.

Herbs are a wonderful addition to any meal. Just because you live in an apartment doesn't mean you have to buy your herbs at the store. Start your own indoor herb garden and enjoy fresh herbs all year long.