Growing Fresh Herbs Indoors For Maximum Flavor
In addition to an indoor herb garden’s being easy to monitor, easy to control, and fairly inexpensive, growing herbs indoors is also a possibility for anybody with mostly any sort of space. Whether you have an apartment, a house, a condominium, or even a tiny bedroom, you too can create growing herbs inside a reality. Even if you live in a tiny place that lacks much ground, there is no reason you should not grow your own herbs. In fact, it can be easier on your pocketbook than gardening in a big place. And if you do have the ground, it can be easier to maintain than traditional outdoor gardens. Here are a few things about growing herbs indoor:
Perennial plants are cheaper to purchase and to plant than annuals or perennials. Annuals can take three to six months to mature before they need to be cut down, whereas perennials may not need anything more than a light clipping throughout the growing season to keep them growing. You can save a lot of money by growing herbs in your kitchen in the spring, summer, and fall.
There are three popular indoor plants used for culinary purposes: parsley, mint, and Rosemary. Parsley is used most often in Italian cooking, but it’s also available in other cuisines; mint is used both in the kitchen and in wine making; and Rosemary is most popular in the kitchen for its aromatic oils. To enjoy these plants’ fresh flavors, harvest them as soon as they appear. Cut young leaves or tender buds at the base and immediately hang or wrap the plant in newspaper. After a few days, these flowers will dry out and start to wilt.
Annual herbs can be used almost any time of year. Garlic, chives, dill, sage, basil, thyme, oregano, marjoram, parsley, bay, and Rosemary are just a few examples. Choose the type that best fits your cooking needs and personal taste. In order to determine which varieties will thrive in your climate, check out the website devoted to gardening or get advice from a local gardener. Full sun is the only kind that will need to be planted in the ground throughout the growing season, but partial shade is acceptable as long as the flowers are able to receive some direct sunlight.
In order to ensure success when growing herb plants, select the correct seed packets and soil. It’s important to choose seeds and soil combinations that complement each other. The most common varieties are warm-season (indica and cosmos) and cool-season (centella). These are easy to grow and yield healthy plants each year.
In addition to choosing the proper combination of the plant and soil, choose quality seed packets wisely. Buy only the freshest seed from reputable companies, as older seeds may contain molds, insects, or weed seeds that will not thrive or produce good-quality plants. Most garden centers will have excellent seeds to offer, but you can also buy them directly from online herb distributors. Keep in mind that while fresh herbs look beautiful, they’re even more beautiful when they’re thriving in the garden.
Pots should be filled with well-drained, high quality soil. Good soil has been mixed with well-rotted organic material to absorb moisture, hold firm, and prevent it from eroding. Potting soil mixes should be moist but not wet, and they should drain easily. Different herbs will prefer different potting soils, so be sure to read up on the specific needs of each variety before planting. In the southern states, pots are ideal for growing herbs like sage, mint, and lemon balm, all of which will grow well in containers.
In early spring, water the herbs until the soil is warm, then remove them from the pots, rinse off the leaves, and allow them to dry completely. They’re ready to sprout! When growing herbs outdoors, remember that they need as much sun as they’ll get in order to thrive. If you live in a warm climate, there’s no reason not to provide them with the sun they need to grow, although you might want to keep an eye on the plant during the final days of the winter season to avoid any accidental damage to the roots.