Growing Herbs in Pots
You can grow herbs in pots or containers indoors. You can also use window boxes or hanging baskets to plant herbs indoors. Growing herbs in pots is easy, just like they growing them in an outdoor garden. Keeping outdoor herb gardens is just the same as keeping indoor herb gardens.
All plants need three main things in order to grow successfully; sunlight, soil and water. And this includes herbs.
Sunlight is key to growing any type of plant including herbs whether they are grown indoors or in a garden. To grow herbs in pots, you should place herbs grown in a kitchen or any other room in a south or west facing window to get the best kind of sunlight. Different types of herbs have different light requirements but, for the most part, all need a sunny location. Some indoor herb growers supplement their light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps.
A well-drained, not too rich soil is what herbs need to grow in. Add two parts of sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in containers. You will also need about an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot to ensure that the plant has good drainage. Herbs grown in pots indoors can also be fertilized with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure that the soil is rich enough for the herbs.
Herbs grown in pots also need water. Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will help to keep the herbs within humid conditions. Since they are being grown in containers they do need to have more water than herbs that are grown in a garden but, you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs drenched or soggy.
The freedom to move the herb is one advantage in growing herbs in pots. Annual herbs can spend all of their time indoors but, perennial herbs do better if they were to be placed outside during the summer. To avoid the loss of their foliage however, herbs should be placed indoors before the first snow.
This rule is overlooked when it comes to mint, chives, and tarragon. After experiencing their first frost, they go into hibernation to form a firmer and fresher growth.
All herbs will grow in containers but only a few of them will survive. Mint can take over the garden if it is not properly contained.
Over all it is fairly easy to grow herbs in pots and maintain an indoor herb garden. Anytime you need them for cooking, an indoor garden makes the herbs handy and just within reach.
You will be able to grow your herbs and ensure a healthy plant with the tips listed above.
You should also include periodic light feeding and yearly repotting for optimum health of the herbs. Remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors when needed. You can harvest your herbs occasionally and use them as much as you want to. Pruning plants does encourage new growth. This rule also applies to herbs. Grow herbs in pots, store them, give them away to friends, and most of all, use them in your cooking.
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For Food Storage Secrets for All you favorite herbs, click here.
