How to Plant and Grow an Indoor Herb Garden to Provide Herbs in Winter

Just because the leaves are fallen and winter is upon us doesn't mean that gardening is completely dormant. Herbs, such as Mint, can be grown indoors during the winter. Indoor Herb gardens provide a refreshing and healthy dose of fresh, homegrown produce even on the bleakest winter days.

To start, take a window box and fill it with rich, organic soil. Depending on what herbs and how many, the window box can be a small Pansy planter pot or a large, 6x36 window box. Find a sunny window in the house where the herbs can grow. In place of a windowsill, a small shelf or table the level of the windowsill will work really well. That way, the herbs get the same light yet are spared contact with the somewhat chilly windowpane.

Next, go out to the Herb Garden and procure roots from the herbs you are to grow indoors. Field Mint, Peppermint, Spear Mint, and Orange Mint propagate freely by underground runners. Just dig up a dozen or so of these runners and plant them in a 6X6 section of the window box. It may be helpful to mark out the area in which each herb is planted for reference. Peppermint is very useful for calming an upset stomach. Having some of that handy for the flu season is always a big plus!

Parsley is a biannual herb. That means that the herb will grow a first year, go dormant, and then return a second year to go to seed. Parsley is not hardy in Zone 6; I tried it already. However, Parsley can be dug up and should continue to produce a crop of parsley leaves way into the winter. The flat-leaved varieties of parsley have a stronger flavor than the curly-leaved varieties of parsley.

Lemon Balm is an herb that self-seeds readily. Known for its fragrant leaves, this herb will self-seed rapidly if kept unchecked. It should grow well indoors.

Catnip self-seeds, although not as much as Lemon Balm. Should you be able to find a small Catnip plant, this herb is definitely worth digging up. Catnip is very helpful for fevers. However, if you have a cat, I would not recommend planting catnip in the house. As cats are known to eat grass, or plants to aid their digestive system, cats and herbs may not be that great a match.

You now have an indoor herb garden that will provide fresh herbs for the wintertime. Herbs such as Dill, Coriander, and Sweet Basil can be raised from seed to enhance your indoor herb garden.