Many folks love the taste of fresh herbs. Starting your own indoor herb garden is not that difficult and with a little experience can provide you with a delicious year around supply. The following tips and information will get you going on this wonderful journey.
•Let's Get Started Creating Your Indoor Herb Garden
Most popular herbs can be grown indoors. Of course you will want to start off with just 2-3 of your most tasty favorites. Then as you see the results and gain confidence you can add more. Some of the common varieties of spices you can grow indoors are basil, cilantro, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
As with other indoor plants, you will need a pot with holes that allow for adequate drainage or perhaps you prefer a deeper container into which you can place rocks at the bottom into which excess water may drain. Like most other plants grown indoors, herbs cannot survive the root rot plants get from sitting in waterlogged soil.
Speaking of soil, herbs grow best in a rich organic material like a high-grade, quality, potting soil. If you wish to use dirt from you garden, be sure to mix in some vermiculite to prevent the soil from compacting and to provide adequate aeration to the root systems.
Now that you have chosen the herbs you want to grow, and selected the container and soil, simply plant the herbs as you would any other indoor plant and follow the next steps to reap a nice harvest.
•Factors To Consider When Growing Herbs Indoors
As with all indoor plants, herbs require that you provide the proper amount of light and water as well as maintaining a proper environment of temperature, humidity, and air circulation.
•Adequate Lighting For Your Indoor Herbs
Most herbs grown indoors require from 6-8 hours of sunlight to thrive. Providing this much light each day will produce the best flavored herbs. Select the spot in your indoor space that receives the most amount of natural sunlight. If this is not enough you can supplement it by using a grow light or place a fluorescent bulb within 12-15 inches from the herbs.
Since most plants grow toward light, depending upon your layout, you may need to rotate the containers every 2-3 days to prevent them from growing sideways and to be sure they receive light on all sides.
•Proper Watering Procedure For Your Indoor Herbs
As with most plants, your indoor herb garden will need to be watered regularly and should never be allowed to completely dry out. Over watering may cause root rot and allowing them to go totally dry may kill them or ruin their flavor. A good rule of thumb is to check them daily with your finger. Water them only when the top soil is dry and the soil beneath is only slightly moist. Another good idea is to add a water soluble plant food nutrient to the soil each month by following the recommendations on the plant food fertilizer of your choice.
•Proper Temperatures For Your Indoor Herbs
Your indoor herb garden will grow best in a temperature environment ranging from 65F to 75F. Also be sure to keep your indoor garden away from window and door drafts too, since most herbs don't like the cold, and for some, even small amounts of cold drafts can be fatal.
•Proper Humidity and Air Circulation For Your Indoor Herbs
For the best and most tasty results, your indoor herb garden should be in an environment that is high in humidity and air circulation. This is not that difficult and can be accomplished by misting your herbs once or twice a week and using an oscillating fan to provide adequate air flow.
Now all you need to do is harvest your bounty and enjoy their fresh taste.
