How To Start Herb Gardening Indoor

The function of herb for cooking is not only to give more taste but also to give certain aromatic that can give relaxing effect and healing. Some of the herbs are very suitable to grow indoor. It is very fascinating to pick fresh herbs for your cooking preparation or only for drinking and healthy purposes right in front of your window. To start your herb garden, you must have a sunny window available that receives at least five hours of sunlight per day. Most herbs hail from Mediterranean locales and need the light to thrive. Keep your home between 60º and 70º to create the ideal growing conditions.

Some important notes you must keep in mind when you want to start herb garnering indoor. The first thing is about sunshade as mentioned before; you must buy high quality seeds. It is easier, however, to buy starter plants from a local nursery or farmers market.

Regarding container. There are several types of containers you can use for the plants, but terracotta planters are very popular. Make sure your pots have drainage holes in the bottom so your herbs do not rot. Keep a saucer or another similarly shaped item underneath to catch the excess water as it runs through. Whatever container you select should be deep enough to promote proper root development, ideally from 6-12 inches deep. You can plant multiple herbs in one container or select individual 6-inch pots for each plant.

Proper maintenance will ensure longevity of indoor herb. Do not kill your herbs with kindness by watering too often: Excess water is harmful to the roots and causes rotting. Fertilize your herbs once a month with a product labelled safe to use on edibles. Once you start to see new growth, you can begin to use your herbs for cooking.

Some herbs that are typically suitable for indoor growth.

• Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Basil is simple to grow from seed but it needs bright light and warm temperatures.
• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): This member of the onion family is best used fresh. Chives like bright light and cool temperatures.
• Dill (Anethum graveolens): Choose a dwarf variety instead of the standard types that typically grow about 4 feet tall. You will need to make successive plantings to ensure a continuous crop since dill doesn’t grow back after harvesting.
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): This is easy to grow from seed and its fresh fragrance can be enjoyed in salads and drinks.
• Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum): This has a sharp, pungent flavour and can be grown from seed.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary does not always germinate well from seed; grow it from cuttings or as a complete plant from the nursery. The soil needs to be well drained, but do not let it dry out completely.
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Many varieties of thyme are available. Cover the seed only lightly with soil or not at all if you are starting your thyme from scratch. Keep the plants moist until they are flourishing.