Imagine having access to fresh herbs all year long in the comfort of your townhome, terrace home, or condo. Well, you can with your very own indoor herb garden. Whether winter or spring, you can add that touch of flare to your cooking anytime you wish, and liven up your entire home with the refreshing aromas. Here’s how to get started:
Getting Started
There’s nothing quite like having access anytime of the year to fresh herbs to spice up your home cooking. Herbs let you harness the freshness of summertime all in the comfort of home. Parsley, basil, rosemary, and thyme are some of the most popular flavours to add, and luckily, the easiest to grow indoors. Other herbs can be finicky and may not do so well indoors, so make sure to do a bit of research before deciding on what to plant.
Planting
It’s best to use pots with a minimum of 6-inch diameter to give the plants enough room. Terra cotta or clay pots are preferable since they allow the herbs to breathe and the roots to grow more easily. It’s important for the pots to have drainage holes to allow water to pass through. In order to avoid any leaking, you can place the pots on top of a tray with water absorbent material or pebbles.
Use organic soil or potting mix since you will be eating what you’re planting. It helps sometimes to add in a little bit of sand as well to give the plants the best mixture. Try to ensure the soil pH level is between 6 and 7 for optimal growth potential.
Lighting
For the best results, if there is a space that combines both natural and artificial light, that would be most beneficial for the herbs. However, either or, will do. If you have a south-facing window where the herbs can get at least four hours of sunlight, that should do the trick. It also helps to rotate the pots every so often to allow even growth for each side. For artificial lights, fluorescent lights tend to suffice, but for the serious herb grower, high-intensity discharge lights will work wonders.
Watering
Keep in mind that since your herbs are indoors, they will mostly likely require more frequent watering due to the increased dryness inside, especially during those long winter months. When you water the plants, allow the soil to dry before watering it again. Overwatering can be as damaging as not watering, so keep an eye on the soil to try and find that in between time before it’s too dry and too damp.
Creating your very own indoor herb garden is a great way to green up your life, freshen up your home and have access to great flavours no matter what time of the year it is. Simply follow these quick steps to help get you started. Whether you live in a new townhome in Ottawa or an urban condo, you can make an indoor herb garden happen!
