Growing indoor herbs
By Tom Kovach
Herbs enhance many a dish and many of them have a lot of health value to boot. But if you live in a northerly climate, growing herbs is limited to growing them outdoors in warm weather. However, there are a number of herbs that do well indoors during the cold winter months.
Gardening experts at the University of Minnesota's Extension service caution that certain herbs will not do well indoors and will either shed their leaves or go into dormancy. Some of the herbs you should not attempt to grow indoors include lemon verbena, sweet basil, summer savory, and tarragon.
But there are plenty of varieties of herbs that will do well indoors, especially if they are placed on a south-facing window sill.
When herbs are grown indoors they can be started from seeds or from cuttings. Some herbs that are great candidates for indoor growing include Aloe, Basil, Borage, Calendula, Chervil, Chives, Ginger, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Scented Geranium, Sweet Bay, and Thyme.
Popular herbs such as parsley, sage, thyme, and oregano can be easily grown in small containers and harvested as needed for cooking.
Herbs can be grown indoors in many different kinds of containers. Terra cotta pots are ideal. But some look-alike plastic planters are much cheaper and will retain water better. There is also the traditional long, narrow window box. Strawberry pots also work well for indoor herbs. Remember, certain herbs will need more space in which to grow, rosemary and sweet bay, for example.
One of the most important things to remember when growing plants indoors is the need for good lighting. Most indoor herbs will need about six hours of sunlight each day from a south or east facing window. (Of course the south facing windows are best). Also give each herb container a quarter-turn once each week so all sides will get sunlight. This will result in more even growth.
If you have only an east or west facing window, some herbs that can be tried include; mints, such as peppermint, spearmint, and lemon balm.
If you simply live in an area where sunlight is very limited, you can also grow indoor herbs under artificial lights. Full-spectrum plant lights will produce the best results, although cool or white daylight bulbs will also work. Make sure you keep the tops of plants at least five inches from any artificial light.
The soil you use for indoor herbs is also an important factor. Never use garden dirt. Use only good quality potting soil with organic fertilizer mixed in. If the soil is very fine, add up to 30 percent more perlite.
Water herbs thoroughly when the plant is dry. Don't overwater but don't let the plants wilt. An inexpensive water meter is a good idea if you have doubts about how much water you are applying to the plants. The water should not be ice cold, nor should it be hot. Fill your watering container ahead of time and let it become room temperature.
And speaking of temperature, the ideal would be to have the room at 70 to 75 degrees in the daytime and 55 or 60 at night. It can be hard to regulate, but try to keep the temperature as close to this temperature range for best survival and growth of the herbs.
As mentioned before, the organic fertilizer you mix in as you pot the plant should do. As the herbs grow you can add a little organic liquid fertilizer to the water.
Besides the herbs mentioned, chives, onion sets, and garlic can also be grown indoors using some of the same pots and methods used for the herbs.
Always plan ahead. Don't wait until winter to get your indoor herbs started. Start in the fall and let the plants settle in before the really cold weather kicks in.
By Tom Kovach
Herbs enhance many a dish and many of them have a lot of health value to boot. But if you live in a northerly climate, growing herbs is limited to growing them outdoors in warm weather. However, there are a number of herbs that do well indoors during the cold winter months.
Gardening experts at the University of Minnesota's Extension service caution that certain herbs will not do well indoors and will either shed their leaves or go into dormancy. Some of the herbs you should not attempt to grow indoors include lemon verbena, sweet basil, summer savory, and tarragon.
But there are plenty of varieties of herbs that will do well indoors, especially if they are placed on a south-facing window sill.
When herbs are grown indoors they can be started from seeds or from cuttings. Some herbs that are great candidates for indoor growing include Aloe, Basil, Borage, Calendula, Chervil, Chives, Ginger, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Scented Geranium, Sweet Bay, and Thyme.
Popular herbs such as parsley, sage, thyme, and oregano can be easily grown in small containers and harvested as needed for cooking.
Herbs can be grown indoors in many different kinds of containers. Terra cotta pots are ideal. But some look-alike plastic planters are much cheaper and will retain water better. There is also the traditional long, narrow window box. Strawberry pots also work well for indoor herbs. Remember, certain herbs will need more space in which to grow, rosemary and sweet bay, for example.
One of the most important things to remember when growing plants indoors is the need for good lighting. Most indoor herbs will need about six hours of sunlight each day from a south or east facing window. (Of course the south facing windows are best). Also give each herb container a quarter-turn once each week so all sides will get sunlight. This will result in more even growth.
If you have only an east or west facing window, some herbs that can be tried include; mints, such as peppermint, spearmint, and lemon balm.
If you simply live in an area where sunlight is very limited, you can also grow indoor herbs under artificial lights. Full-spectrum plant lights will produce the best results, although cool or white daylight bulbs will also work. Make sure you keep the tops of plants at least five inches from any artificial light.
The soil you use for indoor herbs is also an important factor. Never use garden dirt. Use only good quality potting soil with organic fertilizer mixed in. If the soil is very fine, add up to 30 percent more perlite.
Water herbs thoroughly when the plant is dry. Don't overwater but don't let the plants wilt. An inexpensive water meter is a good idea if you have doubts about how much water you are applying to the plants. The water should not be ice cold, nor should it be hot. Fill your watering container ahead of time and let it become room temperature.
And speaking of temperature, the ideal would be to have the room at 70 to 75 degrees in the daytime and 55 or 60 at night. It can be hard to regulate, but try to keep the temperature as close to this temperature range for best survival and growth of the herbs.
As mentioned before, the organic fertilizer you mix in as you pot the plant should do. As the herbs grow you can add a little organic liquid fertilizer to the water.
Besides the herbs mentioned, chives, onion sets, and garlic can also be grown indoors using some of the same pots and methods used for the herbs.
Always plan ahead. Don't wait until winter to get your indoor herbs started. Start in the fall and let the plants settle in before the really cold weather kicks in.
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