How to Grow a Healthy Indoor Herb Garden

Posted Dec 09, 2008 by kitchenwench / comments 6 comments / Print / Font Size Decrease font size Increase font size

Whether you are preparing a gourmet meal for guests, or a quick meal on soccer night, absolutely nothing enhances the flavors of food like fresh herbs. And what better place to find them than right in your own kitchen.

Not only are herbs flavorful, but many have wonderful medicinal properties as well, and have been used for centuries as remedies for everything from relaxation and sleep promotion to soothing sore throats and relief of asthmatic conditions.
To Start Growing You Will Need:

Seeds of your choice, potting soil, empty yogurt cups, labels, pots (unglazed clay are best because they allow excess moisture to evaporate), small pebbles or marbles for drainage. Plastic bags or cling wrap.
Planting Your Seeds:

1. Make small holes in each of the yogurt cups.
2. Using slightly moist soil, fill cups to within 3/4" of the top.
3. Place 4-5 seeds in each cup and add enough potting soil so that the cups are almost full.
4. Label each cup.
5. Pat soil down slightly.
6. Place cups on a tray and carefully slide tray into a plastic bag or cover with cling wrap, and move to a dark place.
7. Check your cups daily. As soon as you see seedlings, take the cups out of the plastic and put them on or near a window sill. (south facing is best).
8. When the first few leaves appear, take the healthiest seedlings to transplant in clay pots. ( healthy seedlings are never too long, or too straggly).

Transplanting

After placing a few pebbles or marbles in the bottom of each pot for drainage, you can transplant the seedlings into pots using a high quality potting soil. I prefer to use one of the commercial brands that come with plant food and fertilizers in the mix. These mixes are widely available, affordable and very effective.
Care Of Your Herbs

* Always keep plants moist, but never over water. Over watering can lead to root rot and quickly kill the entire plant.
* Spray plants with tepid water every 3-4 days.
* Pick off any straggly runners as close to the base of the plant as possible so that your plants stay compact and bushy. It is also important too keep an eye on the bottoms of your pots. If you see roots in the drainage holes, you will need to transfer the plants to larger pots.

When plants begin to get bushy and more mature: grab your scissors, trim, experiment, and enjoy.

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Comments

ThoutxWthoutWrds
ThoutxWthoutWrds said... on August 2nd, 2009 at 5:58 PM

great ideas-out of curiosity, can I keep the clay planters inside in the winter?

HardworkinJudy
HardworkinJudy said... on December 12th, 2008 at 7:59 AM

Great tips, you know me and herbs/spices - got to have them!

Angelfire
Angelfire said... on December 10th, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Score: 1 You have voted for this comment already. You have voted for this comment already.

This is a well written article. Your step by step instructions are clear and concise. Very nice. :)

lindalulu
lindalulu said... on December 9th, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Score: 1 You have voted for this comment already. You have voted for this comment already.

Great info...

icybcdoan
icybcdoan said... on December 9th, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Score: 1 You have voted for this comment already. You have voted for this comment already.

I love herbs and this is a great article, idea, and tips! 5*



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