Growing an indoor herb garden is a delightful and fulfilling way to pass time but it can be a bit aggravating when results fall short of expectations. Some may blame their lack of a “green thumb” when, actually, there’s absolutely no such thing. All anyone needs to develop thriving herbs within their house is a little knowledge and some great, old-fashioned elbow grease.
Beginner?
For the start indoor herb gardener, it would be very helpful to know that certain kinds of herbs will really grow better inside than outside in a “conventional garden”. Among these “indoor-suited herbs” are a few popular and especially useful herbs that a new herb enthusiast may want to start with.
It’s a familiar scene
A newbie indoor gardener will plant some seeds, water them and await the plants to appear. Many times the plant won’t ever appear, or else they’ll grow but eliminated from their fullest capacity. What the gardener might not know is that growing herbs from seed is at once a delicate yet powerful procedure. Frequently, someone will blame their “green thumb” or lack thereof but “green thumbs” do not exist. Successful gardeners are not born with an innate ability to grow crops and if it seems that way, it can usually be explained by examining the gardener’s enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise. The fantastic thing is that you will not have to have a college course in gardening or browse through volumes of books trying to find an arcane bit of knowledge. All it requires is a little knowledge and some consistent work.
Although a lot of herb can grow indoors or outside, it would be advisable for the novice to start off only with a couple of pots on the windowsill. The prerequisites for this are soil, water and a bright spot in the house or apartment. A window which has a southern exposure will typically work best, though when plants are in pots it’s easy to move them around to accommodate their need for ten to twelve hours of sun. The ideal size container for planting herbs is a six-inch pot with a lining of crushed rock or bark chips along the bottom. This provides much needed drainage and aeration for the plant’s root system. Choose a light, nutrient rich, well-drained soil. Don’t overwater your herbs! Indoor herbs like humid conditions and need more water than their outdoor counterparts but do not overwater them! Remember to consult the directions on your seed packet- these will be specific to the kind of plant you are growing.
Easiest herbs to grow inside
Thyme
Height: 4 to 12″, Light Requirement: Sun, Propagation: Seed, Used For: Teas, Potpourris, Poultry Flavoring, Stews, Fish, Tomatoes, Soups, Rice
Basil
Height: 20 to 24″, Light Requirement: Sun, Propagation: Seed, Uses: Soups, Pasta Sauce, Stews, Meat and Poultry Dishes, Teas, Flavors Vinegar
Sweet Marjoram
Height: 8″, Light Requirement: Sun, Propagation: Seed, Division or Cuttings, Uses: Flavors Meats, Sauces, Pizza, Eggs
Rosemary
Height: 3 to 6′, Light Requirement: Sun, Propagation: Seed, Uses: Flavors Butters, Bread, Stuffing, Vinegar, Stew, Veggies and Meat
Chervil
Height: 1 1/2 to 2′, Light Requirement: Partial Shade, Propagation: Seed, Uses: Salads, Soups, Sauces, Teas, Butters
Sage
Height: 18 to 30′, Light Requirement: Sun, Propagation: Seed, Uses: Flavors Vinegar, Bread, Jam, Butters, Stuffing, Stew, Veggies and Meat
Chives
Height: 12″, Light Requirement: Sun or Partial Shade, Propagation: Seed, Uses: Flavors Eggs, Soups, Cheese, Dips, Spreads
Parsley
Height: 6 to 18″, Light Requirement: Sun, Propagation: Seed, Uses: Garnish, Flavors Stews, Salads, Sauces, Soups and Dressings
Oregano
Height: 24″, Light Requirement: Sun, Propagation: Seed, Uses: Flavors Tomato Dishes, Pork Stuffings, Meat and Poultry Dishes, Veggies and Sauces
Conclusion
All these herbs has exceptional growing demands and characteristics. Research the kind of plant that you want, determine whether you are able to meet its growing needs and follow along with constant care. You’ll have a “green thumb” in no time!
