Herb Keeping for the Winter
If you have cultivated an herb garden outside all summer and into the fall, you are probably disappointed that winter is so quickly approaching. You do know the nutritional and health benefits you get from eating natural and fresh foods, which is why you do not want to to have to stop gardening your own herbs. Do not dismay! During the winter, you can easily bring in your herb garden. Your kitchen would be a great place to have a windowsill garden! You can enjoy fresh herbs all winter long by doing this.
Preparation
In order to successfully move your herbs into your home, you will have to have a windowsill that is in a sunny area. The best place to put your windowsill herb garden is a windowsill that gets at least five hours of sunlight per day and has minimal drafts. Often times, using a south or southeast facing window is perfect. Next, purchase your favorite herb plants~{Next, buy your favorite herb plants}~Next, purcahse your facorite herb plants}. Make sure that these are smaller plants as the area you will be planting them in is probably not as big as your outdoor space. After that, use a container that is about half a foot to a foot deep. If you are planting multiple herbs, get a long container. You will need the pot to be at least six inches deep for individual plants. Plant your herbs in the pots just as you would plant them outside (many gardeners have very specific ways that they plant their gardens, from different top soils to various potting mixes!).
Caring For Your Herbs
Once you have your herbs planted and set in the windowsill, make sure that you remember to care for them. However, do not over do it. While they were outside in your home herb garden you probably did not have to worry about watering them, but make sure that you water them on occasion when they are in your windowsill garden. But remember, herbs do not flourish in wet soil. In addition, your herbs can be fed once a month with a specific fertilizer that says it is safe for use on edibles. Remember, your plants need some time to get used to their new setting. Do not cut them until you see new growth. Otherwise your plants will not flourish.
Tips For Your Indoor Garden
First, make sure that you are choosing appropriate herbs for your indoor herb garden. You do not want herbs that grow very wide or very tall. Second, if you do not have any sunny windows, use a fluorescent light and keep it on for about ten hours a day. Also, keep in mind to keep it close to the plants about eighteen inches away. Third, do make it a point to not trim any more than a third of your plant’s foliage. In addition trimming will often encourage them to grow more, but make sure the before you clip away that there is new growth!
