Showing posts with label Herb Garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Herb Garden. Show all posts

Windowsill Herb Garden - Easy Access to Your Favorite Home-Grown Herbs

Sunday, October 7, 2012

It's relatively easy to grow any herb in a pot on a windowsill, but some are better suited for your windowsill herb garden than others are. If you do raise herbs inside, you need to keep them trimmed and compact.

If you have wide windowsills, your windows are ideal places to put your herbs. You will want to place them on the sunny side of the house, preferably where the sun will shine directly on the plants for several hours of the day. If you do not have windows that are sunny, use fluorescent lights to compensate. You will need 4" diameter pots in which to plant seedlings or seeds and fill them with a good grade of potting soil.

Clay or plastic pots work well for containers. Any pot needs to drain well to keep the roots from remaining in water for too long because that may cause disease. You can use a long tray in lieu of the individual pots, but it will need a vessel underneath to catch water that drains out of the container when the plants are watered.

Recommended fertilizers for interior herbs are compost tea and seaweed spray. Fertilize only once every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season, and only water when the soil feels dry to the touch on the top. When plant growth begins to slow for the winter months, stop using the fertilizers.

What are some of the better plants to grow in a small area?

Italian oregano is compact in size for indoor gardening and has a wonderful flavor.

Logee's blue rosemary is medium sized plant with bluish green foliage. It's a good choice because of its fungus repellent nature.

Miniature basil is much more disease resistant than other varieties, and the small leaves are very tender.
Globe basil is another small leaf variety that is good indoors, and it is spicier than other basils.

English and lemon thyme are perennials that grow to about fifteen inches in height and will thrive and thicken as you clip the leaves.

Curly leaf parsley is the usual garnish served with meals, and it has a peppery flavor used subtly to enhance the flavor of food.

Bay laurel is another excellent indoor choice. This is the source of the bay leaf used in cooking.
Chives are easy to grow indoors, and it is great for beginning gardeners. They are often used for flavoring salads or vegetables.

Everyone is familiar with the smell of mint. It works well in a container because you can control its tendency to spread. You can use it in soups, salads, and teas. The two basic types are chocolate and orange.
Sage and marjoram are two more excellent culinary herbs for your windowsill.

These are not the only herbs that you may want in your windowsill herb garden, but they are probably the most common. The indoor herb garden gives you an easy access to your plants.
Michael G. Caden is a long-time herb garden enthusiast.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_G._Caden

Windowsill Herb Garden in 5 Easy Steps

Don't let the change of seasons, or your lack of a yard, stop you from enjoying the enjoyment and health benefits of growing your own herbs. As long as you have a window, you can have a windowsill herb garden.

Ideally you'll want a south or west facing window for your herbs. Herbs, for the most part, like a lot of sun so make sure to choose your location accordingly. Here are the 5 easy steps you need to follow so that you an be enjoying freshly grown herbs all winter long:

1. Find a spot that gets at least a half of days worth of sun. Make sure your window is sealed tightly so your tender plants aren't exposed to cold drafts. If you don't have a window that gets enough light you can always supplement the amount of light by investing in a fluorescent light.

2. Pick out your plants. Ask your local nursery what they recommend. Here are some ideas of herbs that tend to do well planted inside:basil, mint, parsley, and thyme.

3. Use soil that will drain well. You can add coarse sand to potting soil. You can also add small rocks to the bottom of your planter. If your herbs sit it water the roots can rot.

4. Get 5" to 6" containers. Add the rocks and the soil. Plant your herbs. Make sure you don't plant them too deep.

5. Make sure to check the moisture level frequently since the air inside your home during the winter months is likely to be dry. Following these tips will have you well on your way to having a successful windowsill herb garden in no time at all. Enjoy!

Tina Barrett is an herb expert. For more great tips on windowsill herb garden [http://easyhomeherbgarden.com/windowsill-herb-garden/] visit: [http://EasyHomeHerbGarden.com]

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Who Else Wants the Healthiest Windowsill Herb Garden?

If you don't have space for a vegetable garden, or if your present site is too small, consider raising fresh, nutritious, homegrown vegetables in containers. A window sill, patio, balcony, or doorstep can provide sufficient space for a productive container garden. Sweet basil is the variety most commonly grown, but there are approximately 40 others. Plants grow to 38 centimeters tall and the flowers are bright white, pale pink or lavender. That should apply whether they will be grown indoors or outdoors in your organic garden. Grow things that you would use all the time in most of the dishes you like to prepare.

There are numerous herbs that can be successfully grown in a windowsill environment and can be purchased from local nurseries or garden centers. They can even be started from seed, if desired. If you have ever grown herbs outside in a garden, you know how easily they grow. Well, planting indoor herbs is not much different. Herbal gardening is wonderful since the herbs can be grown in a variety of ways. Plant a container garden for you deck or patio for great colors, different textures and super aromas.

They can be grown year round. The kit contains seeds of all the above mentioned herbs. These lovely windowsill herb kits feature herb seeds, growing medium, complete planting & growing instructions, as well as recipes and useful tips on using the freshly harvested herbs.

Herbs will not tolerate "soggy feet", but when grown indoors may need watering more often. Water them when the soil feels completely dry, and in the winter, mist them weekly due to the dry air caused by a heated house. There's nothing better than a homegrown herb.

This is the time of year you can find kits for growing herbs at your local Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Home Depot. I bought one of these kits a few years ago when I found myself wanting a garden, but lacking space. There are completely organic window garden kits, even the pot that the herb gardens come in are biodegradable, an extremely eco friendly feature. Of course, there are less extravagant options available, such as garden in a bag. The distinctive 6.5" x 5.5" x 1" aluminum container makes it easy to keep everything at hand when you're ready to plant. Kit includes 4 pots; seed packets of Slow-Bolt cilantro, True Greek oregano, Fine-Leaf chives, and Window Box mini-basil; and a 4-lb bag of Scotts potting soil for seed starting.

So get started today and create your perfect windowsill herb garden!
Tyler Jaysen is an herb expert. For more great information on herb gardens, visit http://www.HerbGardenSystem.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Jaysen

How to Start a Windowsill Herb Garden

Gardening is often seen as an outdoors activity that is limited to certain weather conditions. When it comes to herbs, a windowsill facing south or west is an excellent area to grow and harvest herbs all year long. It also add beautiful natural beauty to that window and fills the air with the sweet scents. A windowsill herb garden doesn't need to be very big, a few pots can produce enough herbs to satisfy your needs.

Tools and material needed to start a herb garden:
  • various containers with drainage holes
  • waterproof saucers to contain excess drainage
  • potting soil or a soil-less seed-starting mix
  • natural fertilizer
  • herb seeds or plants of your choice
Herb growing requirements:For the majority of herbs, a good 5 to 6 hours of sunlight coming through a south or west-facing window is sufficient. Watering should keep the soil slightly moist at all time. Fertilize twice a month using a half-strength solution of an all-purpose fertilizer. Compost is added in a small quantity every few months.

Choice of containers:The pots you plan to use can come from various sources ranging from recycling to buying ''designer" containers.You can group certain herbs together in a pot when they share common needs. Plants that need particular care should be planted individually. The diameter of the pots should be 4 inches for individual plants and 10 inches for grouping plants together.

Choosing herbs you wish to grow:Choice herbs to grow on the windowsill are those that remains dense and compact. Thyme and oregano are always a good choice, you can also grow mint offered in a wide array of flavors. Parsley is a good choice as long as you keep it especially when kept trimmed. These plants all do well in small containers ranging in 4 to 6 inches in diameter.Other choice of herbs popular include basil, cilantro, dill, rosemary and sage.

More Tips:
  • Most herbs grows well in a sunny, south-facing window, supplemental fluorescent lights or grow lights will help during the winter season.
  • Place the plants so that the foliage are not in contact with cold windows.
  • Turn the pots around occasionally so that the plants get sunlight on all sides to grow evenly.
  • Be aware of the preferences of each variety of herbs you grow. For example, basil enjoys warmth, while sage and rosemary prefer cooler temperatures.
  • Pinch back branching plants such as basil. This will help keeping them shrubby instead of leggy.
  • When choosing herbs to grow, go for the compact or dwarf varieties.
  • Growing herbs on the kitchen windowsill will keep fresh herbs close at hand when preparing meals.
A windowsill herb garden adds a wonderful, attractive look to your home decor. Creating this project is quite simple and inexpensive and fills the air with a pleasing aroma that can be enjoyed by everyone in your household.

Eustache Davenport is a gardening enthusiast and author. He lives in Montreal and enjoy teaching his gardening secrets to work groups on how to setup, optimize and maintain an amazing herb garden. For more great tips and information on how to start herb garden, visit http://www.herbgardeningonlineguide.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eustache_Davenport

All Year Freshness From the Windowsill Herb Garden

A windowsill herb garden is a wonderful way to enjoy plants in your dwelling. It differs from most interior plants in that an herb plant require to fit on the windowsill. Some herbs, such as dill and fennel are just to prominent. The fantastic thing about this style of garden is it is attractive to look at and provides a marvelous smell. Starting such a project is cheap, uncomplicated to sustain and certainly add beauty to your surrounding.

The garden is best placed on a windowsill facing south/southwest. Southern exposure get the brightest and longest sunlight, and herbs necessitate about 10-12 hours of sunlight everyday, but even if it doesn't, you should be capable to uphold your windowsill plants with hardly any difficulty if they get at least five to six hours of sunlight daily. Read the instructions thoroughly for growing your herbs in the best conditions and receive the desirable results.

Best of all, if located in or by the kitchen, fresh herbs are permanently close at hand while preparing meals. A yearly herb provision are at your fingertips. It is a marvelous way to get involved in supply and cooking full-flavored meals all the time.. This has undoubtedly a super thumb-up for anybody who loves to cook and whip-up splendid meals. Their own individual herb garden will provide fresh, homegrown herbs within easy reach to snip, as needed, for cooking. Using the kitchen windowsill to grow the plants is a fantastic way to be able to savor fresh herbs that are often used.

A herb garden can be planted in a individual stretched container or a miscellany of pots, depending on your penchant and the group of herbs that are being planted. The container should be at least six inches deep to make available for sufficient root growth. Such a plantation is just right for those who desire to stick close to their herbs for the whole winter, or even for the full year round. Such a hobby is also advantageous to your health. The uncomplicated act of growing something helps lower heart rate and stress.

There is a pretty long list of herbs that can grow in the pots and usually do not demand too much attention other than sun,soil and water. Plants like oregano are nonpareil as it is dense in size and has a truly great flavor. Basil, as well as rosemary, are two additional herbs that will do wonderfully in your kitchen windowsill.

Growing an organic herb garden is a delightful project. The plants do not solely look and smell excellent, they are also marvelous for flavoring foods. Grow unique type of tea herbs such as mint, chamomile, lemon balm, sage and lavender to provide an interesting mix of colors, scents and textures.

Plant like plants together. For instance, sun loving with sun loving plants, shade plants together, and keep annuals and perennials detached. Finally, remember that your container gardens necessitate watering more regularly than plants that are in the ground.

Eustache Davenport is a gardening enthusiast and author of "The Easy Guide to Successful Herb Gardening". He lives in Montreal and enjoy teaching his gardening secrets to work groups on how to setup, optimize and maintain an amazing herb garden. For more great tips and information on creating your own windowsill herb garden, visit http://www.HerbGardeningOnlineGuide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eustache_Davenport

Windowsill Herb Garden That's Just Right To Your Home

HERB gardens are usually for people who have backyards in their own homes. But those who live in the city are discovering that you don't need to go outdoors to grow herbs, you can just put up a windowsill herb garden. This kind of herb garden doesn't take up a large space and is very low maintenance - all you need to do is just place several small pots blooming with your favorite herbs!

Despite its smallness, a windowsill herb garden can still contain your favorite herbs. You may want to consider cultivating Mediterranean herbs not only because they are popular, but because they are readily available in stores.

Below are some great tips for those who are interested in windowsill herb gardening:

1. Place your herbs in a sunny spot where they can take advantage of the most sunlight. The majority of herbs will be perfectly happy situated in a south-facing window where they can get at least 5 hours of sunshine. During the winter you can use fluorescent lightning as a good supplement.

2. Give your plants just enough water so that the soil stays lightly moist. Herbs don't fancy sitting in wet soil!
3. Soil selection is important too. Make sure that the soil is mixed with lime and sand to promote maximum growth of your herbs. You can also use a soilless potting mix.

4. Any kind of container will do, you just have to make sure that the pot allows for ample drainage. To save you money, you can use the nice containers lying around the house.

5. Be sure to plant your herbs according to their growing recommendations. Herb kits are ideal for any beginner grower.

6. Most herbs need to be fertilized once a month. Make sure that you use an edible-only fertilizer. Ideally, the best way to fertilize is by mixing the fertilizer with water and putting it to the plant during watering.

7. Snip and trim your plants regularly to encourage more growth. Choose nice herbs that are ideal for windowsill gardening like basil, chives, lavender, thyme, mint and parsley. These herbs stay compact and dense and they don't need big pots.

There are lots of herbs that can be successfully grown in a windowsill environment and are readily available in garden centers or local nurseries. You can choose to start them from seed, but if you are a beginner grower, a herb garden kit can prove to be very handy. One great advantage of a windowsill garden is that it requires only minimal care. Herbs are known to be the easiest type of plant to cultivate; they can grow in containers just by using the right combination of seed and soil.

As long as there is sunlight, your herbs will always flourish. Be sure to take full advantage of the herbs you grow, as most herbs have medicinal properties too! Use them in teas, salads, dishes, or even desserts for a wonderful twist in flavor. Can you now imagine having your own windowsill herb garden?

Norm Stewart loves writing about his passion for herbs and loves sharing his 35 years of herb growing expertise with others. Discover more expert tips and valuable information about windowsill herb garden [http://www.herbgrowing-guide.com/windowsill-herb-garden] and how to successfully grow and use your herbs in wonderful and creative ways with his popular free ecourse, available at [http://www.herbgrowing-guide.com/]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Norm_C_Stewart

The Window Sill Herb Garden

Having your own window sill herb garden can add color and fragrance to any home. There is an abundance of reasons why people might prefer to have a window sill herb garden as opposed to one that grows outside. One of those reasons is that by having their herb garden indoors, they don't have to deal with the elements of weather and can grow them all year long.

While you can grow almost any type of herbal plant on a windowsill herb garden, there are some that are more suited to this method than others. Plants like oregano are ideal because they are compact in size and have a truly wonderful flavor. Rosemary and basil are also a great fit for your indoor garden. Some herbs will repel fungus, such as the rosemary, and others simply have a wonderful aroma that can fill your home any time of the year.

These herbal plants will invariably do best on windowsills that face south or southeast, since, for northern hemisphere locations, that is the direction of greatest sunlight. Most plants prefer maximum sunlight for growth and health and herbal plants are no different. Herbal plants prefer at least five hours of sunlight per day. Also, remember to keep them from enduring drafts, especially during the cooler winter months.

While you can certainly start your herb garden from seedlings, purchasing the proper containers that are about 6 to 12 inches deep in which to plant them and watch them grow,  is a good way to start. You also have the option to buy herbal garden kits. These window sill herb garden kits come complete with the containers, the plants (usually already sprouting or with seed planted within the soil), and instructions on the different varieties of herbs and how to care for them.

While it's fairly easy to care for these plants, you do need to be aware of their gestation periods as well as the ideal times to prune their leaves for drying, storing, or cooking. Some plants will also overtake others if you don't tend to them and prune them back on a regular basis. You want your window sill herb garden to look as though it belongs there in the windowsill, so there is some measure of attention that they will require from you.

Be careful about the amount of water you give your herbal plants. They don't do well in damp soil, so water sparingly, but don't leave them without water, either. If you purchase a kit that has the plants already in bloom, don't rush to clip the leaves. Allow them time to acclimate to their new environment. Also, if you live in a location, such as an apartment complex in a city, and don't have access to good sunlight in any window, you can purchase artificial light. Most herbal plants will do just fine under this kind of light, but it's a good idea to check with a nursery or the manufacturer to be certain.

A window sill herb garden is a great way to spend your free time and if you're an avid cook, you understand that there is no substitute for having fresh spices and herbs at your disposal. Having your own herb garden sitting on your windowsill will inspire new and wonderful creations in your kitchen, as well as fill your home with the warm and inviting fragrance of some of the world's favorite plants.

Jeff Stone is a long time lover of herbs and horticulture who has been growing his own for over 30 years. For more information on window sill herb gardens visit http://www.herbalgardenmagic.com where you can also find their book, Secrets of Successful Herb Gardening, written with his partner Amy Spalding. It is a treasure of information for the home grower. It is available there, along with abundant free information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Stone

Design Your Own Windowsill Herb Garden

If you use lots of herbs while cooking and are interested in having a herb garden of your own and do not have enough space then you should consider growing a herb garden indoors. One of the most common indoor herb gardens are the ones in pots along window sills. But there are also other ways in which you can grow plants indoors.

The thing that you first have to understand if you want a herb garden is that it needs to get sufficient sunlight and should be out of the reach of any pets, or children. The next step is for you to decide the size of the herb garden that you are going to grow so that it fits on your window sill. Every herb does not grow similarly and you should ensure that you leave enough space for the bigger ones.

You should ensure that you select herbs that grow well together. There are a few herbs that tend to take over others in the garden and you then get hybrids of both. A good example of this is when a peppermint plant and oregano plants are too close to one another and lead to the formation of a new herb that smells like peppermint and oregano.

You should decide the herbs which you wish to plant in your windowsill herb garden and also the ways in which you wish to use them. You can consider growing herbs for potpourri or herbs for cooking. There is a very large variety of herbs and some of them do not grow well when together. You should thus do sufficient research on conditions and compatibility among the herbs that you choose before you start to grow them.

There are a few herbs which are quite difficult to grow and there are others like Chives which grow quite easily almost anywhere. Ensure that you only select herbs that will be able to grow at room temperature. These herb gardens also help in adding color to your rooms if you grow them correctly with the right amount of light and the right temperature.

When you have an indoor windowsill herb garden then you can have the freshest herbs even during winter months. Just ensure that you keep moving the herbs around so that they get the right amount of light for them to grow. You also get some necessary minerals and vitamins from your indoor herb garden like cayenne that works towards keeping you healthy.

Herbs have been grown for medicinal purposes for a very long time. There are herbs that are known to cure colds and others that help with depression that you face during the colder months.

You should always buy your herbs from a reputed nursery so that, you get the right information about the conditions required for their growth. If you take help from an expert then you will able to maintain your herb garden quite easily all through the year. It is very simple for anybody to grow a herb garden that lowers your bills on herb purchases as well as improve your house aesthetically.

Carolyn Grant is a herb gardening expert. For great information on Herb Gardening [http://herbgardenofeden.com/windowsill-herb-garden/], visit http://www.herbgardenofeden.com [http://herbgardenofeden.com/windowsill-herb-garden/]

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The Windowsill Herb Garden is the Perfect Little Garden

Those who live in the city are limited in the plants they can grow. You may want to have greenery in your home, but are unsure how to accomplish this. A windowsill herb garden is a great way to be able to enjoy plants in your home. The great thing about this kind of garden is it is beautiful to look at and provides a great smell. Herbs have many different uses and will make your home more enjoyable. If you live in a high-rise apartment, you and your herbs will form a symbiotic relationship.

Herbs have been used for centuries as a way to heal people. The smells alone are used in aromatherapy. People spend a lot of money in order to have the smells ever present in their home. By growing a windowsill herb garden, you will be able to enjoy these smells all the time. The two most calming aromas used are lavender and chamomile. Lavender is very easy to grow so because of the kind of plant it is. Being a perennial bush, it will grow in many different conditions. Being in a small space, you will b able to enjoy the smells more than someone with a large home.

Constant temperature is highly beneficial to herbs. When grown outside, herbs sometimes struggle because of fluctuations in temperature. Being able to control the temperature allows you to enable your plants to thrive. You will be able to grow basil in the middle of the winter by using a windowsill herb garden. This allows you to enjoy the flavor of a freshly made pesto without having to run to the store. Early frost will not affect your plants ability to continue to grow. Just remember, some plants like sage do better if they are able to go through a little bit of a frost.

Using a windowsill herb garden allows you to control the amount of water your plants get. One of the worst things about growing outside is when it rains right after you water your plants. The chances to over water are greater when outside. There is also the tendency to dry out the soil your plants are in when planting outside. Soil, which is too dry, can absorb the moisture before your herbs ever get the chance to utilize it. Gardening inside allows you complete control over how much water your plants are getting.

When gardening indoors, you have more control over the soil your herbs are grown in. When growing outside, you need to bring a sample of soil in to a nursery to be examined. They will tell you the nutrient levels of your dirt so they can tell you what you can grow. When planting at home, you can simply mix potting soil with sand and a tablespoon of lime. This will give you the perfect combination of absorbent and retentive soil. Be sure to check your soil a couple times a day. Make sure it is moist to the touch.

Your apartment is surely decorated to your tastes. You will want to have a windowsill herb garden, which will match your decor. This is possible due to the many different styles of pots and trays available at nurseries and online. You are sure to pick out one, which will meet your needs. It is recommended to plant in clay pots so your plants will have the chance to breathe.

Brian Chamberlain has been an Herb Garden enthusiast for over 20 years and has helped many people get started in this amazing hobby. For more great information on a windowsill herb garden visit his site at: http://www.secretsofaherbgarden.com while you are there don't forget to sign up for his FREE 10 part Secrets of a Herb Garden Mini-Course.

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Growing a Windowsill Herb Garden

Herbs can be grown outdoor or indoor. You may want to start with a small garden that you can easily take care of, and if you want to be with your plants for the whole year or just for the winter season. If you want to plant indoors, better cultivate a windowsill herb garden so your herbs will receive their needed sunlight.

A windowsill herb garden is good for gardeners who want to stay close to their herbs. Also, these plants need minimum care to keep them thriving. You need to take note of some requirements, however, as herbs will not live if you totally neglect them. The basic necessities of any plants are light and water. Herbs are no different.

In your windowsill herb garden, include only plants that do not grow tall or big. Make sure you can fit your plants to the windowsill. Trim your plants regularly to keep them under control. Trimming will also make your herbs thick and bushy. Refrain from clipping the plants in winter time. It is encouraged to allow them to grow back a little so they will have protection against intense cold.

A windowsill herb garden is best placed in area facing south. Southern exposure receives the brightest and longest sunlight, and herbs need about 10-12 hours of sunlight everyday. Although this is usually the case, this is not true for all herbs. Some tender plants will prefer weaker light, but find out the nature of the herb first before you plant. Expose every part of the herb by rotating it every now and then within the week.

Most of the time, a windowsill herb garden facing south still does not receive enough sunlight. Herbalists provide an artificial light to make sure their plants receive the right amount of light and heat, as these plants love light. You can use fluorescent for this.

Herbs can be placed on any containers as long as these containers have good drainage outlet. Pots with small holes at the bottom will make a good haven for herbs, as extra water cannot collect at the bottom of the container. Use a light potting mix instead of garden soil to prevent extra moisture from being stuck at the roots. Too much water will cause the roots to decay and will even encourage some diseases. Water your plants sparingly, especially if the topsoil is a little dry.

Choose plants that will easily thrive in an indoor environment, like chives, mint, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, basil, marjoram and parsley. They are manageable also and they don't grow very big. Keep your windowsill herb garden fertilized, but not too much. An over fertilized plant will grow weak. Worse, it may not be as tasty anymore. Fertilizer is also not advisable in winter as herbs grow slowly by this time.

Growing herbs on a windowsill is such a versatile way of utilising space in your home whilst providing you delicious and fragrant herbs.

I truly love windowsill herb gardens, there are herbs growing on all my South facing windowsills. Over the years I have learnt the art from trial and error, and found to truly succeed at herb gardening you need a lot of the correct knowledge and clear instructions.

Mike Jacovelli is a gardening enthusiast who loves bringing his hard work into the kitchen, the most important ingredients to him are the wonderful aromatic herbs grown in his dedicated herb garden. He is a passionate herb gardener and has a burning desire to show others how to become successful herb gardeners.
http://www.successherbgardening.com

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Great Tips for Maintaining Your Windowsill Herb Garden

Do you have a windowsill herb garden? Do you know what plants are suitable for this type of a garden? This article will help you learn how to properly take good care of your windowsill herb plants. You don't need to be an expert gardener to have a beautiful garden inside your home.

Here are the top tips on how you can be successful in caring for your windowsill herb garden. You must read this carefully so that you can easily apply them to your growing plants.

1. Regularly trim the windowsill garden plants - A messy windowsill garden translates to an untidy-looking home. Trim your plants regularly to keep them nice and compact. You cannot just plant any of the available seeds or herb plants in the windowsill. The best herbs for your windowsill are those that stay compact and dense. Choose herbs that don't grow too tall or too wide.

2. Choose the plants that are suited for a windowsill garden. There are plants that are suited for a windowsill garden. Expert gardening executive Louise Hyde said these plants include Italian oregano, basil, parsley, and sage. Italian oregano is known for its delicious flavor; rosemary for its repelling nature for fungus; Basils are also great plants for indoor gardening. Parsley will always thrive anywhere in the house, as long as they are hit by sunlight every day.

3. Use containers that are at least four inches wide - You cannot just look for containers and plant the herbs there. Why the size is very important? You should remember that this is a windowsill herb garden and using different sizes of containers will surely create a bad look in the windowsill.

4. Fertilize your herb plants every six to eight weeks. Fertilizer is very important for your plants to grow. You can use a compost tea as fertilizer or you may try the seaweed spray method. However, you have to cut off applications during winter and the plant's growth is slow. There are many kinds of fertilizers you can use aside from organic fertilizers. Just make sure than when you use inorganic fertilizers, they are labeled edible to ensure your plant's safety. Remember to water your herb garden regularly especially when the soil is dry.
Make sure that you take full advantage of the herbs you grow. After all, you have invested your time and effort, and put love and care into seeing your windowsill herb garden flourish.

Norm Stewart loves writing about his passion for herbs and loves sharing his 35 years of herb growing expertise with others. Discover more expert tips and valuable information about windowsill herb garden [http://www.herbgrowing-guide.com/windowsill-herb-garden] and how to successfully grow and use your herbs in wonderful and creative ways with his popular free ecourse, available at [http://www.herbgrowing-guide.com/].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Norm_C_Stewart

Windowsill Herb Garden

Windowsill herb gardening gives most of the same benefits as regular indoor gardening and, if setup properly, is easy to maintain and use. It is a practical and convenient use of garden space.

There are many advantages to a windowsill herb garden. You get the flavorful aroma that is common to most herbs. You can take care of your garden regardless of the weather and a gardener can conveniently get just the herbs that are needed for cooking or medicinal purposes.

Remember, when you setup an windowsill herb garden, nature is no longer in charge of light, soil, water, nutrients and humidity. It is now the sole responsibility of the gardener. However, with enough information, herbs make it very easy and easy to maintain.

Let's consider light. Natural sunlight is more concentrated and about 5 hours of good afternoon sunlight directly on the herbs will work. So pick a windowsill that has the most afternoon sunlight. However, supplemental light is often needed. You may add fluorescent or "grow lamps" and place them 18 inches away from your plants. Your plants will grow in the direction of light as it benefits them. If your plants grow well and they do not lean; your light is proper and balanced.

Herbs are fairly consistent in their soil requirements. While there are special circumstances; herbs do no not require fertilizer to grow well and be flavorful. Actually, herbs prefer soil that is a little bit alkaline. I use this formula. Get a container that has good drainage (for a windowsill herb garden I prefer clay) and put an inch of gravel in the bottom. Make soil mixture of one-half sterilized potting soil, one-fourth sand, and one-fourth vermiculite. To get the right balance, add one teaspoon of lime for every five inches of container size. Plant your seed by just barely covering it with your soil mixture. I will discuss the watering in the next paragraph.

Water is a basic component for all plant growth. For herbs, a seed needs lots of water for the roots to attach. At this time the soil must be moist. After the roots attach, just misting should be ok. Mist often but not so heavily that the roots get drenched or soggy as this will cause root rot or powdery mildew. If you have low humidity that keeps your soil dry; just place a small bowl of water next to your plant.

A windowsill herb garden is different from most indoor gardens in that an herb plant needs to be selected for its appropriateness on a windowsill. Some herbs, such as dill and fennel are just to large. However, with herbs, your selection is still considerable. Here a some:

- Basil
- Borage
- Chamomile
- Cilantro
- Lemon
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Peppermint
- Tansy
- Yarrow

Although herbs will grow in almost anything and almost anywhere; I prefer a clay container on a windowsill herb garden. A windowsill has the most extreme temperature variations of any indoor garden. Most herbs do not like frost and temperature variations can confuse the herbs as far as growth is concerned. Clay is not necessary but it helps warm the herbs in summer and insulate them in winter.

It is fairly easy to grow and maintain a windowsill herb garden. For proper nutrients you should perform a repotting and a light feeding of all your indoor plants. Mist them with water to keep them moist and check them for possible pests.

I cover pruning, pests, and preserving herbs in other articles. I also offer a free mini-course.

Until we meet again,
Roger Allan

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Windowsill Herb Garden - A Great Way to Have Fresh Herbs Right at Your Fingertips

Part of the fun when it comes to growing herbs is to use them to add flavor and creativity to your cooking. All the more reason to plant a windowsill herb garden right in your kitchen. That way all you have to do is reach out and pluck the herbs right off the plant to use for dinner, what could be neater?

Of course, due primarily to size restrictions, some herbs will do better than others. You don't want anything that will get too big. Smaller, more compact herbs such as oregano, some varieties of basil, parsley, and sage are some good choices.

You can easily grow these herbs in small 4" - 5" pots. Obviously a sunny windowsill is best, preferably one that doesn't get drafts, but if your home is of a design that doesn't have an actual windowsill you can still plant your herbs inside on a shelf or small table.

If you don't get enough sun, that's not a problem either. Just invest in a fluorescent light and place it about 18" above your plants. One of the biggest tricks to growing herbs indoors is the dry winter air in most homes. To overcome that just make sure to check the moisture level of your herbs frequently. You can also use a spray bottle to mist them regularly and placing a small container of water near the heat source in a room can humidify the air in that room which will help you and your herbs!

When planting your herbs make sure to use sterilized potting soil and not just soil from outside in your garden. You should fertilize your plants about every 2 months, but not when the plant stops growing during the winter.

Enjoy fresh grown herbs all year long by just reaching out and picking them. It's easy to do if you plant a windowsill herb garden. It'll spice up your cooking, add great looking plants to your home, and even provide you with wonderful aroma's, not bad for a few small plants!

Tina Barrett is an herb expert. Find more great tips on windowsill herb garden [http://easyhomeherbgarden.com/windowsill-herb-garden/] and everything herbs, visit: [http://EasyHomeHerbGarden.com]

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