How to Grow Herbs Indoors

The practice of cooking with fresh herbs has spread faster than a wildfire in a windstorm. Yes, you can buy fresh herbs that are cut in the grocery store now, BUT, they don't keep for very long and they are moderately expensive. An alternative is to grow your own, cut them when you need them and let them proliferate when you don't, and you will even be able to share your herbs. The ultimate advantage is that they will make your home smell really good!

If you are not into gardening, or live in a tiny apartment or high rise with no "garden plot" of your own, you can still have the luxury of growing your own herbs because they are relatively easy to grow indoors. Here is what you need to know to get started with your own indoor herb garden.

Suitable herbs for growing indoors include Mint, Rosemary, Chamomile, Lavender, Basil, Oregano, Bay, Chervil, Chives, Lemon Verbena, Marjoram, Parsley, Tarragon, Thyme and Sage. Buy your plants at a nursery for good healthy stock. If you must plant from seeds, make sure you buy a quality seed and lots of them because they will not all germinate.

Containers for growing herbs indoors can be pots you buy or any container in your home that has the suitable size and drainage. You want a container that is 6" to 12" deep. If you are planting individual herbs in containers they should be at least 6" across. If you want to plant several herbs in one big container you will need 6" - 8" between plants. Place a layer of 1"-2" of gravel in the bottom of your container and make sure there is at least one drainage whole in the bottom. You will probably want to place a plastic plant dish or bowl under the container to catch water overflow so you don't soil window sills or carpet.

Soil should be an equal mix of clean potting soil, sand or vermiculite and lime. Leave 1"-3" at the top free of soil for watering. As your soil becomes compacted from watering, cultivate gently with a fork to allow plenty of oxygen to your plant roots.

Feeding: Herbs should be feed every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter months. Use a weak fertilizer for edible plants, liquid seaweed, fish emulsion or compost for feeding.

Placement and light requirements: South facing windows are best, north facing windows are the worst place. Under a skylight is good. Your herbs will need 4-5 hours of direct sunlight and some periods of indirect sunlight. If you don't have windows or skylights that will allow adequate lighting enhance the lighting with fluorescent lighting. Fluorescents sould be within 18" of the plants and be left on for about 10 hours per day. Herbs do not like cooking fumes and temperature fluctuations occurring in a small kitchen or the hot dry air above a radiator.

Watering: You want your soil to be just moist and you want to water when the soil is dry. Usually once every one to two weeks depending on your plants, lighting and container. If your leaves turn yellow, they are getting too much water. Some prefer to water from the top just until water starts seeping out of the bottom of the plant. Others prefer to fill the drip container at the bottom of the plant and let the water soak up through the soil until the top is moist. Personally, I think it is easier to water from the top and pour out water that accumulates in the tray.

Pests and diseases: Just because your plants are indoors does not necessarily prevent them from getting a few pest. They can come from the soil you potted in or just appear out of no where sometimes. Indoor plants can be attacked by whiteflies, spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and thrips. Inspect your plants when you water for any signs of pest. Look at the tops and bottoms of the leaves. If you find that you have pest, pour insecticidal soap into a pail. If your plants are small you can cover the dirt with your hands to prevent soil loss, if they are larger, wrap the container with plastic wrap covering the soil to prevent it from falling out. Turn the plant upside down and dip the entire above soil part into the pail of insecticidal soap and swish vigorously. Dip 1 to 2 times per week for 3 to 4 weeks to get rid of your pests.

Using your herbs: Snipping plants encourages growth and will make them more bushy and less leggy. Never cut more than 1/3 of the foliage. For cooking, cut leaves and stems from the top, not from the sides.

If you are like I am and can never seem to water your plants just right, a company called Orange Skin offers a self watering pot for $28.00 that will keep your plants happy for 7 - 10 days. Great if you travel a good bit.

Enjoy your new found talent as an indoor herb gardener, with very little effort or expense.

Sources:

www.oldfashionedliving.com/indoorherbs.html

www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s-5-71-378,00.html

http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetablepatch/ht/window-herbs.htm

www.ehow.com/how-312-grow-herb-garden.html

www.re-nest.com/re-nest/cooking/how-to-make-a-onepot-herbgarden-035198