An herb garden is, without a doubt, an excellent way to enjoy fresh produce while adding natural beauty to your home’s interior. But before even beginning, you have to know which herbs grow best indoors. Different herb plants have different light and soil needs, and so picking the right herbs is a crucial first step. Those that do best inside include options like rosemary, thyme, basil, chives, mint, and parsley. Most garden centers carry seedlings of these plants in the spring, making it easy to get your new garden established.
The minute you know which type of herbs you want to grow, the next step is to prepare your growing containers. Almost any type of container will do as long as it has good drainage and a way to protect the surface underneath. It is also okay to start small, but remember that if your plants thrive, you may end up needing to repot your herb plants pretty soon. Fill each container with a potting mix, not potting soil; potting mix has more organic matter that will help encourage strong growth. Some gardeners prefer to keep different herb plants separate in their own pots or containers, but it is not mandatory to do so. As long as each plant has enough room to grow and send down roots, they should do just right.
With your containers prepared and your plants chosen, the next step is to decide where to place your herb garden. Your plants will need between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight every day, so a sunny windowsill or similar location often works best. If you don’t have a windowsill, there are quite a few creative options available, from wall planters to containers that stick directly to the glass. Herbs do not grow well without at least some direct sunlight, but they also can’t stand too much. Finding the perfect “goldilocks” spot that feels JUST RIGHT is the key to healthy plants.
Your herb garden will also need proper amounts of water. When it comes to herbs, the idea is to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Add water in small amounts, and take care not to let the soil dry out completely between watering. Both too little water and too much water is bad for herb plants, so it would also be a great idea to save the little tags that come with seedlings and follow the suggested amounts. It may also be helpful to keep track of when and how much you are watering your plants.
Once your herbs are established, you can start harvesting leaves to season your food. Fresh herbs are delicious and healthy, not to mention convenient. But remember not to cut too much of one plant at a time. While regular trims encourage new growth, cutting too much could cause the plant to fail altogether. As long as you are careful not to remove more than a quarter of the plant at one time, you can continue to enjoy your fresh herbs throughout the seasons.
The perfect garden needs the perfect home to live in. At Real Property Management Corazon, our Sparks property managers are also experts at helping our tenants find the home that is just right for them. Contact us online or call 775-826-1414 and ask us about our available rentals today.