How To Grow a Herb Garden

You may not have a lot of garden to use, or you may just want to learn about growing herbs in pots indoors. Herbs can easily be grown in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets.  This is even easier to manage, and handy for tending the plants as the grow. You will follow the same steps to grow garden herbs in containers…

All plants, including herbs, need 3 things in order to grow successfully –  soil, sunlight, and water.  Sunlight is key to growing any type of plant including herbs whether they are grown indoors or in a garden. So how do we create our potted herb garden?

1. Herbs need a well drained, not too rich soil to grow in. Lay about an inch of gravel at the bottom of the pot to assist drainage. Add a small amount of sterilized potting soil, with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in containers.  Herbs grown in pots indoors can be supplemented with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure that the soil is sweet enough for the herbs.
2. Different herb varieties have different light requirements but, for the most part, they all thrive in a sunny location.  Some home herb growers supplement the light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps, but this is only really necessary in very sheltered homes where there is little natural light   Since they are being grown in containers they do need to have more water then herbs growing in the garden but you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs drenched or soggy.
3. Herbs grown indoors also need regular feed of water.  Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will help to keep the herbs in humid climates. You should place herbs grown in a kitchen or other room in a south- or west-facing window to get the best kind of the available sunlight.

One big advantage to growing herbs in a container is that they are easy to hand, and you have the freedom to move them about as you please.  Annual herbs can spend all of their time indoors but perennial herbs do better if they are placed outside during the summer.  All potted herbs should be brought inside before the first frost in order to avoid the loss of foliage.  This rule can be ignored when it comes to mint, chives, and tarragon.  These types of herbs go into a rest period during winter, then form firmer and fresher growth after being introduced to a light frost.

All herbs can in fact be grown in containers, but it is true that some herbs do better then others.  Mint is a herb that really needs to be contained, even when planted outdoors, or it will keep growing and can take over the garden.  Overall it is fairly easy to maintain an indoor herb garden.  It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking.  With these tips listed above, you can care for your herbs and ensure a healthy plant.  You should also include periodic light feeding and yearly repotting for optimum health of the herbs. Even propagate the ones that grow best, and give cuttings to your best friends! You also must remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors when needed.  Plus, use your herbs regularly as this helps them to keep growing.

It is no secret to gardeners that pruning plants encourages new growth.  This rule also applies to herbs.  So use them in your cooking, store them and give them away to friends.