Fresh Herbs all Year!
It is possible to have fresh herbs all year. Most herbs are simple to grow in a sunny south facing window. And a fluorescent grow light is a must for extra brightness it will prevent the plants from getting spindly.
Whether to start from seeds or plants is a decision you will have to make. I personally grow all my herbs from seed. When starting from seeds the soil you use should be loose and well drained. I recommend a mix of equal parts potting soil, peat moss, and perlite or vermiculite.
Herbs do not require high fertility and you should not fertilize them as much as your house plants. As well, avoid over-watering when growing herbs indoors because the roots will rot.
Parsley is my number #1 herb. Parsley is a nutritious herb, high in vitamins A and C and good for many things, as well as being a nice garnish. I use parsley in salads, soups, and herb mixtures. It comes in either curly or flat leaf varieties.
Basil is another must have. It is ideal for making pesto, or for use in pasta sauces and it will go well with any dish that contains tomatoes.
Oregano is another herb that goes well with tomatoes. Oregano has a strong flavour. When using fresh leaves make sure to strip the leaves from the stem.
Mint is delicious in tea and it can be used in desserts. Mint should stay in a container even outside because it will spread everywhere if not contained.
Sage is another herb that I use frequently. The leaves are perfect with poultry.
Herbs require little care and space and have very few insect and disease problems. These traits, in addition to being tasty makes them ideal plants for the beginner gardener.
Tip: When reusing pots make sure to wash them thoroughly and rinse in a bleach solution before use.
Lori
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Well we are beginner gardeners. I have my memories of a childhood garden but all I got to do was weed the garden so I have a lot to learn.
Lori, I have been planning to start an indoor herb garden but it keeps getting put off by other things that seem more important.
I had planned to get out to the nursery this weekend but here it is Sunday already and I haven’t made it yet.
Thanks for the tips. I have a lot of pots just piled up with bits of dirt still in them, so I will give them a good washing, in bleach, like you suggest.
Keep the tips coming.