:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-grow-herbs-indoors-on-a-sunny-windowsill-1403425-01-aa8f705480f340a3970f593e900d69b8.jpg "8 indoor herb garden ideas that will look great and make your home smell great")
There is something very satisfying about growing your own crops. Plant something, watch it grow, and then use it in cooking. Everything is sweeter when it's grown at home, and there's definitely something very satisfying about celebrating in secret; Yes, I raised it myself."
And the good life doesn't have to be reserved for those with outdoor space. You can also enjoy it indoors, and we recommend starting with an indoor herb garden. Many herbs are very easy to care for, often grow quickly and can make a big impact in your cooking. Plus, they look great in the kitchen and add texture, greens, and great flavor.
But where to start? We spoke to the experts and asked them how to make indoor herb gardens thrive. where to set your location, what herbs work best and how to turn your garden into a real display that adds something to your kitchen. in addition to cooking for you.
1. Choose the right location for your indoor herb garden
The location you choose for your herb garden is key to its success. As for the room, the kitchen makes the most sense because you can easily get the herbs when you need them. But what other conditions must be considered for the herb garden to flourish?
"You have to find the right spot indoors. Ideally, it should be an area where the lawn gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day," explains gardener Mark Lane. "A south-facing window is ideal." If you don't have natural light, consider using grow lights. To ensure your plants receive sunlight, rotate their pots regularly. This prevents them from leaning towards the light source and promotes balanced growth."
Sara Ganatos of New York's Urban Garden agrees. “A sunny window can be a wonderful place. If the sun is too intense, you can simply move a little further away from the glass. Another tip is to check when it's cold, sometimes it can be very cold near a window. I feel like a good place if you have the space is the kitchen because that's where you'll probably use the herbs.
“If natural light is really lacking, placing the garden next to artificial lighting can work well in areas with little sunlight. Ideally, the site should have a stable temperature, away from heat lines or sources that could cause fluctuations and potentially damage the plants. Also, choosing a location where herbs are readily available encourages frequent harvesting, which promotes healthier growth,” adds Tony O'Neill, founder of Simplifying Gardening.
2. And choose containers and fertilizer correctly
Next, you need to find the right home for your herb: soil and container. Do not settle for aesthetically beautiful pots, you need to make sure that they are ready for work.
"I think good soil is a good starting point," Sarah explains. “When growing food, I always recommend using high quality organic soil. And proper drainage in planters/pots is important. The "container" should not only have drainage holes at the bottom, but also lay a layer of gravel or ceramic rubble. This helps drain water and prevents soil from clogging the drainage holes.
“Always remember to use containers with drainage holes and grow in a peat-free, all-purpose compost with garden gravel added for extra drainage; "Plants hate being in water," Mark adds.
“Overwatering is a common grass mistake, so let the topsoil dry out between waterings. When you water, do it well, but make sure that the excess water drains off. Also, avoid over-fertilizing the plants, as this can lead to bone growth. A balanced liquid fertilizer, such as tomato feed diluted in half, can be applied every 4-6 weeks, but only during the growing season.
3. Grow herbs that grow indoors (and you'll use them)
Most herbs grow well in the kitchen, but be sure to only grow herbs that you know you will use. “I always start with herbs that I can eat and herbs that smell. "When you grow parsley, cilantro and mint, you have a whole food that you can do a lot of things with." explains Jekka McVicar, founder of Jekka Herb Farm.
“Some herbs work well internally and provide culinary and aromatic benefits. Some of the best options include basil, known for its sweet flavor and versatility in cooking; mint, a hardy crop that offers a fresh scent; and chives, which are easy to grow and add a mild onion flavor to dishes. Rosemary and thyme are also good choices because they are aromatic and add a nice scent to your room. When choosing, consider your preferences and the type of food you usually cook.' Tony explained.
“Obviously, you want to grow herbs that you will use regularly for cooking, making infusions or tinctures. Great easy-to-grow options include basil, Thai basil, mint, cilantro, flat-leaf parsley, rosemary and thyme. All of these can be grown from seed, but you can also purchase potted herbs from stores. adds Marcos.
“If you look closely at herb shops, you will see that there are several plants in pots. Water the herbs in the pot, then carefully remove the individual herbs and place each plant in a separate pot. This can mean you end up with dozens of plants of the same herb, so consider giving some away to friends and family.”
4. Create a beautiful display case with terracotta pots.
Terracotta pots are not only ideal for growing plants as they allow the soil to breathe, but they also look very stylish next to a window or to add texture and greenery on kitchen shelves.
“Terracotta pots are perfect for houseplants, one for each herb, so you can place them in different places. Most plants can be grown in 5- or 6-inch containers. However, if you have more space, that's good because they will have more space,” says Sarah.
Because terracotta pots absorb incoming moisture, they are particularly suitable for Mediterranean herbs used in dry conditions. Basil, thyme and rosemary will flourish.
5. Use vertical space
If space is limited in a small kitchen, grow herbs vertically. Not only will it free up your desk, but it will also emphasize your indoor garden more. Most herbs will be more than happy growing this way, and more delicate herbs like cilantro and parsley will look prettier once they start growing.
This arrangement also makes it very easy to use in your herb garden, you can even create an indoor vegetable garden and grow tomatoes and chillies. If your kitchen wall space is also tight, hanging baskets can work well indoors if they get enough light, so try placing them in front of a window.
6. Keep trimming to keep your herbs from outgrowing their containers
Here you need to do a little more than with an outdoor garden. If you don't have room to keep moving herbs into larger containers, make sure they don't outgrow the pots. This means intensive circumcision. Hopefully you'll be using herbs long enough for this to happen completely naturally, but you'll need to trim them from time to time.
"Pruning is important. Regular pruning or trimming encourages branching and thus bush growth, while providing many new tips for culinary purposes. Any excess plant material can be frozen in ice cubes for later use. Just be aware that if when it comes to picking herbs, morning is the best time because the oils responsible for the aroma are at their peak.
7. Get crafty with glass jars
And an easy weekend project that looks great and can be made from any can you normally recycle, they don't all have to be the same. Glass jars work well because they don't crack like some jars, so your herbs will have plenty of room to grow.
But what about drainage? Do not try to drill holes in the bottom of the jars, as they will usually just break. Instead, add a layer of rocks before adding compost to prevent root rot. And just watch the humidity level; You may need to water your herbs less if you grow them in glass containers.
16 oz glass jar
Price : $10.39
Quantity : 4
Kitchen bar with hooks.
Price : $19.99
Size : 17.3"
A variety of plants
Price : $26.06
Quantity : 6
8. Or recycle your dishes
Instead of throwing away old cans that are especially pretty (buy canned olives just for the colorful cans), save them to create an indoor herb garden.
As we mentioned above, drainage is very important, so carefully dig a few holes at the base before planting your herbs. Personally, we love the simple, slightly rustic look of the jars, but if you want to camouflage them to make them look less small, paint them to match your kitchen.
