Cooking with fresh herbs can elevate any dish, but store-bought herbs can be expensive. If you love cooking with fresh herbs but don’t want to spend a fortune on them, why not try growing your own? Growing herbs indoors is easy and doesn’t require a lot of space. With a little bit of care, you can have a steady supply of fresh herbs all year round. And with winter just around the corner, here are 5 herbs that are perfect for indoor gardening.
Potted herbs in my office window.
Basil Basil is a fragrant herb that’s commonly used in Italian cooking. It’s easy to grow indoors, and it doesn’t need a lot of light. Water your basil plants regularly and snip off the leaves as needed. You can also propagate basil by taking stem cuttings and planting them in water or potting mix.
Rosemary Rosemary is a hearty herb that’s perfect for indoor gardening. It prefers well-drained soil and lots of sunlight, so make sure to place it in a bright spot. Water rosemary sparingly; too much water can cause the plant to become rootbound or even die. When harvesting rosemary, cut the stems back by a third to promote new growth.
Cilantro Cilantro is a versatile herb that’s used in cuisines from all over the world. It grows best in cool weather, so it’s perfect for indoor gardening in the spring or fall. Cilantro prefers moist soil, so water it regularly and mist the leaves if they start to look dry. Harvest cilantro leaves as needed; cutting back the stems will encourage new growth.
Mint Mint is a refreshing herb that’s commonly used in desserts and cocktails. It’s easy to grow indoors, but it can be quite invasive, so make sure to plant it in a pot with plenty of room for the roots to spread out. Mint prefers moist soil, so water it regularly and mist the leaves if they start to look dry. When harvesting mint, cut the stems back by a third to promote new growth.”
Thyme Thyme is a fragrant herb that’s commonly used in Mediterranean cooking. It prefers well-drained soil and lots of sunlight, so make sure to place it in a bright spot. Water thyme sparingly; too much water can cause the plant to rot.”
With a little bit of care, you can easily grow any of these 5 herbs indoors year-round. Fresh herbs are a great way to add flavor and excitement to your cooking without breaking the bank. A sunny window will work, but if you don’t have enough natural light there are inexpensive gro-lights available. Give indoor herb gardening a try today!
If you want to try your hand at growing herbs this season but aren’t sure which to try, read on.
When it comes to herb gardening, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, herbs need at least six hours of sunlight per day. They also prefer well-draining soil with a neutral pH. However, perhaps the most important factor is choosing the right herb for your level of experience. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with an herb that is easy to grow. Some good options include basil, oregano, and chives. These herbs are relatively tolerant of different conditions and can be easily propagated from cuttings. With a little care and attention, you can soon be enjoying fresh herbs straight from your own garden.
Disclaimer: Links within this post are either to my own products, or products I endorse. I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase through an affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. My blog is supported through commissions and sales of my products. Plus, if you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee. Thank you for your continued support.
Basil
Basil is a popular herb that is commonly used in Italian cooking. It has a strong, unique flavor that can add depth to any dish. Best of all, basil is relatively easy to grow, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to start their own herb garden. It requires little maintenance and can be grown indoors or outdoors. It prefers warm weather and plenty of sunlight, but as long as these basic needs are met, basil will thrive. Additionally, basil is not particularly susceptible to pests or diseases, so it can be left largely unattended. With just a little bit of effort, basil can provide fresh herbs for your kitchen all year round.
Oregano is a hardy herb that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It is a versatile herb that can be used in many different dishes, and it is easy to dry for later use. Oregano can be planted in the spring or autumn, and it does not require much care once it is established. It will tolerate partial shade, but will produce more leaves if it is grown in full sun. Oregano is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered often. When oregano is grown in containers, it should be fertilized every few weeks. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division. Oregano is susceptible to root rot, so it is important to make sure that the soil drains well. It’s an easy herb to grow and can be a valuable addition to the garden.
Chives are a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups. They have a mild onion flavor and are often used as a garnish or seasoning. Chives are also very easy to grow, making them a great option for beginner gardeners. They require very little maintenance and can be grown in both sun and shade, and tolerate being allowed to dry out. Chives are also resistant to pests and diseases, which further reduces the amount of work required to keep them healthy. As a result, chives are an ideal herb for anyone looking for an easy-to-grow plant that will provide them with ample harvest.
Basil, oregano and chives are all easy to grow herbs that can be added to your garden or balcony. They’re perfect for beginner gardeners because they don’t require a lot of maintenance and they add a pop of color and flavour to any dish. Have you grown any of these herbs before? If so, tell me about your experience in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Click on the image to be taken to the signup page.
The last couple of years have been learning ones for me; mainly learning how to do a lot of things on my own.
This year with my upcoming move I have to make sure I don’t plant anything that won’t be ready by the time I pack up the last of my things. For a gardener, that’s not the easiest feat to accomplish.
As much as I like to grow my vegetables, herbs, and flowers in my raised beds, I’m going to have to resort to container gardening this year. And even with the containers, I’m going to have to make sure I don’t plant too many. I honestly don’t think my friends and family are going to appreciate having to move a lot of containers.
Disclaimer: Links within this post are either to my own products, or products I endorse. I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase through an affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. My blog is supported through commissions and sales of my products. Plus, if you like what you read you can show your support by pinning this post, sharing on social media, or buy me a coffee. Thank you for your continued support.
Keep it small.
As much as gardeners love to plant, it’s important to remember the harvest may not be ready until after you’re in your new location. I know that’s going to be the case for me, because I’ll be moving in July. July is usually when everything really gets growing.
If you feel you must plant something, stick to radishes, lettuce, spinach, and cherry tomatoes. They can be harvested early (except the tomatoes) and do well in containers.
Spend time cleaning up your existing yard.
As you know, I had trees taken down last fall. As I wait for moving day I am concentrating on cleaning up the wood chips, branches, and logs that were left (upon my request). I don’t want to leave the yard a mess for my brother-in-law. Not only will it make it easier for him, I’ll get my steps and exercise in when the weather is good.
Plan out your new yard.
Whether you’re moving onto a farm, an acreage, or a municipality, figuring out what to do with your new space can satisfy the need to do something garden-related.
Last week I was able to visit my new yard and I took a lot of pictures, just so I can have a visual and figure out where to put my trees, raised beds, raspberries, and asparagus. As I wait for moving day I’ll be utilizing some graph paper or a page or three in my planner, just so I can get to work as soon as I’m unpacked.
As I was walking around my new yard, I saw this. She must’ve been buried in a snow drift because I didn’t see her when I was there the 3 previous times.
When I built my deck two years ago I had some leftover lumber, which will also be moved and utilized in my new space. I think I have enough to add on to the existing deck, plus build a set of steps from the garage to the lower part of the yard. (There are currently some railroad ties there, and I do not like the look or the smell of them. They will be one of the first things to go.)
Give your houseplants the attention they deserve.
Not every gardener has houseplants, but for those of you that do, transition time is the perfect time to repot, fertilize, prune, divide, and conquer.
I did a bunch of repotting a few weeks ago, and my plants are loving their new root space. It’s amazing how much difference an extra inch or two of soil space makes.
I also acquired two new plants last week. My daughter wanted to get me something for Mother’s Day and my birthday, so we went to the greenhouse. She bought me two African Violets (yes, I’m going to try growing them again); one with pink flowers and the other with blue flowers. They weren’t expensive (I wouldn’t let her spend a lot of money on me), but I hope I don’t kill them. I have to get it right with them sooner or later, right?
Organize and take inventory of your seeds.
I don’t know about you, but my seeds are in a couple of small plastic totes. One holds flower seeds and the other is filled with vegetable seeds. At this point they are not organized; just put in the totes so they don’t end up all over.
I’m currently working on a printable Garden Planner/Journal, and one of the sections is going to have inventory sheets. I’m expanding on one I created in the past, because I see a need for more than just a few pages. (My goal is to have it finished and ready for sale by month-end.)
Dig up any perennials/trees/shrubs you will be moving to your new space.
In my last post I talked about my apple trees, and the research I did on moving them. It has been a cold spring so I was worried about the roots freezing if I dug them up too soon. We finally had a decent rain and some warmer temperatures, and my trees are now leafing out…and still in the ground.
My plan is to dig them up and put them in 5 gallon buckets this weekend, with hopes they survive. I’ll also be digging up my peony, some raspberry bushes, a Virginia Creeper, and some asparagus. Those alone should give me enough to take care of and worry about until I get them in the ground at my new place.
Conclusion
There is always something for a gardener to do, even if planting, weeding, and harvesting has to be delayed for a season. Make the best of your gardening time, no matter what else is happening in your life. Gardening truly is good for the body, mind, and soul. And when your transition is done, you can enjoy the features of your new space.
p.s. I think I need a name for my tree stump (pictured above). What are your thoughts on a name for her?
