Tips for Indoor Herbs

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For a good portion of the U.S., gardeners have put away their pitchforks and hung up their hoes for the winter. It’s cold. Not much is growing out there. And gardeners are left to dream of spring’s rich, tillable soils. For those of you not willing to just dream of gardening days to come, an indoor herb garden may be just the thing. With a sunny window or supplemental lighting, an eye on moisture, and a feel for humidity, a variety of herbs can cure your veggie gardening blues and add some fresh summer flavors to your midwinter meals.

Here are some tips:

Start seeds off right

Start seeds of annual and biennial herbs such as basil, parsley, and cilantro in a good-quality seed-starting mix and give them plenty of light. Or, for a jumpstart, purchase 4-inch potted herbs at your local garden center.

Use a well-draining potting mix, or make your own by combining two parts soilless potting mix with one part sterilized sand or humus.

Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, more if possible. A windowsill with southern exposure should be enough. If that’s not available, provide lighting in the form of a fluorescent light. A long shop light will do. If possible, adjust the light so it can be raised as the herbs grow taller. It should be about 6-9 inches above the herbs. Turn your plants every few days so they receive even light.

Choose the right containers for indoor herbs

Plant herbs in pots with drainage holes. No herb likes wet feet! For fun, plant a variety of herbs in the openings of a strawberry pot.

Terra cotta pots will dry out more quickly than their plastic or glazed pottery counterparts.

How much to water indoor herbs

Most herbs prefer to stay evenly moist. Feel the soil surface daily. Water only when the soil surface is dry.

Herbs such as bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and sage should dry out completely between watering. Mints and rosemary, on the other hand, should never be allowed to dry completely or will be seriously damaged.

When watering, water enough so water begins to trickle out of the bottom of the pot.

Temperature and humidity

Herbs prefer cool to average temperatures, between 55-70 degrees F, with the cooler temperatures occurring at night.

Herbs also like humid conditions, and a home in winter is extremely dry. Increase humidity levels by filling a tray or saucer with pebbles, add water to just below the pebble surface, and place your herbs on top. You can also increase humidity by grouping the herbs together and misting their leaves once a day.

Pace your indoor herbs

Keep your herbs growing slowly so their growth doesnt outpace the production of their flavor-filled oils. Feed them about once a month with a half-strength plant food or fish emulsion.

Removing pests and build-up

Try manual methods of pest removal first, removing them by hand or with a spray of water. If they persist, there are several brands of insecticidal soaps and oils on the market.

Remove yellowing leaves and give your herbs a monthly rinse to remove dustiness and salt build-up.

Meet Ellen Wells

When you’re raised on a farm, you can’t help but know a thing or two about gardening. Ellen Wells is our expert on edible gardening.…

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