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| www.sunset.com |
Why would a person want to grow herbs?
Herbs are interesting plants with many uses. They can add beauty to any area.
Some are colorful, while others have interesting shapes. Herbs also carry
delightful scents. Just brushing against one can trigger a relaxing smell. Lets
not forget one of the most powerful driving forces of people…food. Herbs add
much in the form of taste to any food.
Okay they are great, but aren’t they difficult to grow indoors? Why
would you want to try grow them indoors if it is?
It’s true that it can be harder to grow herbs indoors than other plants, but it
is not impossible and the rewards are worth the try.
Growing them indoors allows you to bring a piece of the garden inside. Your
house can have those same pleasant sites and smells. If you do enjoy the use of
herbs in cooking, what is better then having fresh ones right in your kitchen?
During the dreary winter months you can even spice up an evening.
Most herb leaves can be picked anytime after the plant is mature. During low
growing times like the winter, you will need to cut back on harvesting. One
trick to keep harvest up is to stagger plants and let one grow while you
harvest another. Try drying herbs to use in the future, or just for the aroma.
The most important aspect of you home when it comes to growing herb is light.
Generally a herb will need to be treated like a flowering plant. It needs high
sunlight.
Your houses brightest spots are southern windows. Try to find a south facing
window where you would like to place your herbs. North facing windows are out.
At least four hours of direct sunshine is required. They do best on 12 to 14
hours.
If you have an east or west facing window, it may do. Check out the herbs
listed in the index that can tolerate lower light levels.
If you do not have enough light to grow your herbs, you are not lost. You can
buy plant grow bulbs to provide artificial light. These lights are specially
designed to emit light that the plants can use for photosynthesis. Generally
the source of artificial light will need to be 16-20 inches above the plants.
If you have a plant that was used to higher light and wish to relocate it (say
from outside to inside), its chance of survival is greater if you acclimate it.
This is done by leaving it in partial shade for a couple of weeks. Then Move it
to a higher shade area for another few weeks. When it looks like the plant is
still producing new growth, it should be ready to come inside.
Another issue to consider indoors is ventilation. Air movement is critical to
prevent disease and insect infestations. Try to open windows during good
weather. During bad weather times like the winter try to have a fan to produce
a gentle breeze.
Hand in hand with ventilation is humidity and heat. Houses especially in the
winter time can be too dry for plants. Misting can help, but it is recommended
that you have a container of water near the plants or place the pots on top of
a tray of rocks and water. The rocks keep the bottom out of the water.
They may like high sun, but high heat is not good. Herbs like temperatures of
around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer temperature are ok, but a drop during the
nighttime will help. Avoid heat vents and such as the plant will be constantly
bombarded
Now that you know some tips on how to make your house herb friendly, we can get
into how to grow you herbs. Don’t worry if you are not a master gardener. If
you want, stores often sell little starter kits that have everything you need
to get started.
Lets start at the bottom with the soil. Herbs don’t like to be waterlogged, so
good drainage in important. One soil mix suggestion is 2:1 potting soil to sand
or perlite. Another suggestion which offers more in the form of needed
nutrition is 7 parts loam, 1 part sand, and 3 parts peat. Add to this a slow
release fertilizer. If you don’t like to idea of mixing soil, there are many
premixed bags in the stores.
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Generally herbs are pest-free, but here are some tips to keep them pest free.
You should always check over your plants and note anything out of the ordinary.
Spider mites, aphids, and whitefly are some pests you may spot. If there is
only a few bugs, you can just pick them off. When that is not possible, turn to
an organic spray (remember you want to eat the plants—poison chemicals unfit
for humans are out).
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