Indoor Growing: Fresh Herbs Around The Year
Not everybody has an outdoor space where they can grow plants, which can feel a bit like you are missing out. Some people opt to get an allotment or find a close-by community garden where they can grow fruit, vegetables, and plants. In this post we will discuss about growing fresh herbs around the year.
However, you might not have anything like that near you or you might not be able to afford an allotment. But not to worry because plants such as herbs can be grown inside too!
Keep reading if you want to discover how you can get your fingers green and start growing your own indoor herbs.
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How To Grow Herbs Indoors
In 2013, 57% of Canadian households reported that they grew fruits, herbs, vegetables, or flowers for personal use.
Of those who reported they grew their own produce, some had gardens, some used balcony space, some used community gardens, whilst others used indoor space. So as you can see, it is perfectly doable to grow your own herbs indoors.
There are many herbs that you can choose from such as basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, and mint, that will all make great additions to your recipes.
Step 1: buying equipment
The first thing you need to do is buy the equipment you will need. Go to your local nursery or gardening store and buy some seeds, nutrient-rich soil, and some plant pots.
When choosing your soil, make sure it is fit for purpose and has plenty of nutrients in it. Nutrient-rich soil can help your herbs to grow.
When choosing your plant pot, make sure it has holes at the bottom, so the water can drain from it. If you are limited for space, you might consider using seed trays which are ideal for growing several different seeds at once.
Step 2: planting the seeds
Once you have chosen the herbs you want, you need to plant them in their pots. To do this place nutrient-rich soil into your plant pot and fill about three quarters of the container. Then pour some water into the soil.
When you are happy with your plant pot, you can make little holes for your seeds. Sprinkle your seeds into the holes and fill them with soil. Don’t overcrowd your plant pot with seeds and make sure your holes aren’t too deep into the pot. Then give your plant pot a little more water and set it aside.
Step 3: understanding growing requirements
Next, you need to decide where to place your herbs, this all depends on how much sunlight they need and what kind of temperature they need. To understand what your plants and herbs need, remember to do your research on the specific herbs you are growing.
For example, basil needs to be in a warm place with plenty of sunlight. Whereas thyme grows well in fluctuating temperatures and needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.Step 4: caring for your herbs
Use a spray bottle of water to ensure you don’t give your herbs too much or too little water.
Mary Wilson, gardening expert from thegoodestate.com, says “Remember to use a saucer or container underneath your plant pot, so that water and soil don’t go everywhere in your home. You might also want to consider getting a piece of plastic to cover the plant pot because this can help keep in the moisture.”
Keep the temperature around 18-21°C and make sure your herbs get direct sunlight for most of the day.
Another way you can ensure you care for your herbs is by waiting for the soil to dry out. Herbs don’t need a lot of watering, so only water your herbs when they need it.
And finally, remember to trim your herbs to keep them growing healthily. If you are using herbs for your recipes then you probably will be trimming them. But if you aren’t sure start at the top of the plant and cut below where the leaf meets the stem.Step 5: changing growing conditions
Due to the different requirements needed to grow, there isn’t one size fits all so it is very important that you know how to look after your plant.
For example, if your herbs begin to wilt then you need to make sure you give it some more water. It is also advisable to remove any dead leaves from the plant. If after watering your plant still isn’t happy then try to change the growing conditions. You might try moving it to a different location where it can get more or less light or heat.Different Herbs To Grow
Parsley
Parsley can be grown from seed or you can buy it as a small plant. Parsley can be added to many recipes, such as chicken, fish, and vegetable recipes, and it can add great flavour to your food. It is also a great plant to grow in fluctuating temperatures. Parsley does need a lot of sunlight to be able to grow and flourish.
Oregano
Oregano is a great herb to grow because it can be added to many dishes and is fairly easy to grow. Oregano needs to have a lot of sunlight and it also need well-draining soil to grow well. Once grown you can try adding it to your pizzas, pastas, and salads!
Thyme
We are running out of time, yes growing thyme will ensure plenty of ‘dad jokes’. It is also a great herb to add to recipes and boost the flavour of your dishes. To grow thyme you need to ensure the plant has a lot of sunlight (at least 6 to 8 hours a day) and it needs soil that can drain well.
Basil
Basil is a bit trickier to grow because it needs constant warmth, however it is definitely worth all the hassle. Basil is one of those herbs that you can put in most recipes and it can improve many dishes. The best thing to do when growing basil is to keep it near a window (so it gets plenty of sunlight) but ensure that the temperature doesn’t fluctuate too much. It is a good idea to sow the seeds yourself and keep this plant insulated.
