How to Care For Potted Herbs Indoors
If you are a fan of potted herbs, but are looking for ways to care for them outdoors, this is the article for you. Many people will choose to start their herb gardening right in their kitchen. You can take the best care of your potted herbs there and then if you like, transfer them outdoors to enjoy. But, how to care for potted herbs outdoors starts with understanding how they will be placed and set up in your garden.
First of all, keep in mind that your herbs will need about 6 hours of light each day. This means that your containers should be placed as near to the sunlight as possible but also as far away from it as possible. Sunlight is most important for most herbs, but you should check out your herbs carefully to see which ones require more or less sunlight, depending on the size of the herbs and the kind of climatic changes you may experience. If you have a garden that has a lot of landscaping involved, consider using taller containers. These will let your potted herbs grow taller, therefore providing better coverage around each herb.
In addition to providing just enough sunlight, herbs grown in pots need regular watering. The type of container that you choose plays a big role in how to care for potted herbs outdoors. It is recommended that you use a water container that is made for outdoor use. These containers often come with an automatic shut-off timer, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to water your plants unless you forget to turn off the light. This saves everyone time, and the plants enjoy the comfort of being able to water at will.
If you are planning on how to care for potted herbs outdoors, it’s important that you choose containers that won’t retain moisture easily. Dehydrated herbs can dry out quickly and lose their vibrant colors, so it’s important to be aware of the type of container you purchase. Clay is popular because it does not retain moisture, but you should be aware that it also won’t hold on to its fragrance. Many people purchase pots made of other materials, such as terracotta or stone, simply because they like the look of these containers, but they do not have the space to house an outdoor herb.
Another way how to care for potted herbs outdoors is by using a mesh screen over the pot. This will keep leaves and dirt from cascading down into the container. You can choose from many different mesh sizes, so finding the right one for your potted herbs should not be a problem. Just make sure that your mesh is not porous and will not allow rain or snow to wash through. Consider buying a screen made of woven wire to achieve this look.
When it comes to watering, most herbs prefer direct sunlight. However, make sure that your potted herbs are in pots that receive indirect sunlight as well. You will also need to keep your potted herbs well watered until the weather starts to go from cool to hot. Too much water can cause wilting, so keep this in mind.
How to care for potted herbs indoors is very similar to how you would care for outdoor ones. However, since herbs are in containers, it is important that you use containers that will retain the heat or coolness better than glass or plastic dishes. These kinds of containers also allow your potted herbs to retain their fragrance better. Herbs grown in pots will also have better pest control since they will be kept indoors.
When you have just brought home your first batch of potted herbs, you will want to continue to take good care of them until they start to mature. Just remember to water them only when the soil surface feels dry and you want to keep your potted herbs nice and moist. This is very important because the oils of many herbs like lavender can get quite strong if they are over-watered. Other herbs like mint will go dormant if they are not given adequate water.