Growing Herbs In Pots
Growing herbs in containers or pots indoors is so easy. Hanging baskets and window boxes are perfect growing plots as well. Growing herbs in pots is just as simple as herb gardening outdoors. The same growing requirements exist for indoor herb gardens as gardens outdoors.
Providing the necessary ingredients for growing all plants, sunlight, soil, and water rank the highest. Your herbs are not unique here. Ensuring adequate sunlight is critical to plant growth. In your outdoor garden location this is usually not an issue. But special attention must be given to lighting for your indoor herb garden. Choose the kitchen, or other sunny room with west or south facing windows. If this location doesn’t provide enough sun then add a fluorescent grow lamp to supplement.
Soil conditions should be “not too rich” and well-drained for herbs. A very good mixture is one part sterilized potting soil and two parts course sand or perlite. Add one teaspoon agricultural lime per 5-inch pot to sweeten the soil. Prior to adding this soil mixture to the container place an inch of gravel at the bottom for drainage.
More water is required for herb gardening in containers compared to your outdoor garden. Moistening the pebbles and misting the leaves provides a humid-like situation that herbs prefer. Even with the additional water requirements take care not to overwater to avoid drowning the roots.
Growing herbs in pots offers the advantage of moving the plants to any location your choose. Leaving annual herbs indoors all year doesn’t seem to faze, however, perennial herbs do best when placed outside during the summer months. When fall arrives be sure to bring your herbs indoors before the first frost. However, leave your mint, chives, and tarragon out until after a light frost. Introducing these herbs to a frost forces a rest period followed by firm, fresh growth.
Like most plants all herbs can be grown in pots even if some do better than others. When growing mint you should always grow it in a container as it will take over your garden otherwise. Given enough time you will maintain your indoor herb garden quite easily. You will soon grow accustomed to having fresh herbs growing in the kitchen ready to add to any recipe. This will add a new depth to your cooking and it will not go unnoticed.
A few final tips; periodically feed your herbs lightly and give each one a spring re potting to ensure healthy herbs. Use though nice spring days to replant the annual herbs and move your perennials outside in late spring after the last frost. Harvest your herbs regularly for use in cooking, flower arrangements. All plants do well with regular pruning; herbs share that quality. These clippings will give you plenty for recipes, dehydrate some for winter use, and give special gifts of fresh herb bundles to friends.
After your first season of growing herbs in pots you will simply and easily produce healthy, vibrant plants.
Happy Herb Gardening!
