Growing Flavorful Herbs on Your Windowsill
Just about every home cook loves having fresh herbs on hand. What could be more convenient than growing them right inside your home?
Even if you live in an apartment or condo without an outdoor space, you can create an herb garden indoors. The best setting for your garden is the kitchen, where you can snip fresh herbs and blend them right into your recipes. If you don’t have a good location in your kitchen, however, you can grow herbs in any sunny room. Here are tips for setting up your indoor garden.
FINDING THE BEST SPOT
To thrive indoors, herbs need lots of natural light. Position them in a sunny spot where they’ll get at least 6 hours of sun daily. Windows that face south or southwest are your best bet, although east- or west-facing windows may work too. North-facing windows are not bright enough to help your herbs grow well.
If you’re not sure whether a certain location gets enough light then test it out. On a sunny to partly sunny day, turn off all lights and periodically check on the natural light. How much sun does the spot get throughout the day? Choose the area that gives your plants consistent sunshine.
GOOD DRAINAGE IS KEY
Too much water is bad for herb plants as it rots the roots. Be sure to use a saucer, liner, or drain pan under your pots to catch water and protect the underlying. A clay saucer lets moisture pass through, so be sure to choose plastic, rubber, or metal instead.
Clay pots help with drainage, but keep in mind that they can dry out quickly. If you live in a dry climate or are growing herbs indoors during winter, when heating systems take away moisture from the air, try a glazed or plastic container that helps keep moisture in.
Use a premium potting mix to pot your indoor herbs. And by all means, be sure your pots have drainage holes!
INDOOR TEMPERATURES ARE GENERALLY FINE
Many people grow herbs indoors in winter when it’s too cold outside or too wet to work outdoor soil, but herbs can be grown inside all year round. Indoor herbs prefer the same temperatures that most people do—around 65 to 70 degrees —so if you’re comfortable, they probably are too.
Depending on the season, temperatures near your windows may drop to 55 or 60 degrees, but most herbs are OK with that too. Make sure foliage does not touch the glass to keep plants from getting nipped by the cold.
Many kitchen gardeners want to include basil in their indoor gardens. If you have plenty of sun and warmth indoors, this should be fine, but don’t keep it on a cool windowsill. Basil leaves will droop and fade after a short time in cool air. This plant needs temperatures above 70 both day and night.
Dry air, whether from air conditioning or heating, is tough on most herbs, so if you can give them a weekly shower in the sink, they will thank you for it!
Fertilize herbs regularly with plant food, especially if you are harvesting leaves regularly. (Be sure to follow directions on the package.)
Try these favorite herbs in your indoor garden:
· Chives
· Lemon balm
· Marjoram
· Mint
· Oregano
· Parsley
· Rosemary
· Sage
· Thyme
ADD MORE FLAVOR TO YOUR ENTERTAINING WITH JERRY’S KITCHEN
Are you planning a special gathering for family, friends or work colleagues this spring or summer? Make everything easier on yourself with help from the catering services pros at Jerry’s Kitchen. Choose from our award-winning food truck catering specialties – or a classic catered menu with all your favorites. We offer delicious gluten-free and vegan options to accommodate all your guests!
To book catering services for your private or corporate event near Doylestown or Philadelphia, give us a call today.
Source
Find us
