Techniques on Growing Herbs in Pots
You can grow herbs in pots or containers indoors. They can also be grown in window boxes or hanging baskets. Growing herbs in pots is easy, just like they growing them in an outdoor garden. Indoor herb gardens need the same growing requirements that garden herbs need.
All plants require sunlight, soil and water in order to grow. Herbs are no exception.
Herbs planted indoors or outdoors need sunlight to grow. To grow herbs in pots and get the best kind of sunlight, herbs grown in a kitchen or any other room should be placed on a window facing south or west. All types of herbs require a sunny location even if they have different light requirements. Some home herb growers supplement the light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps.
A well-drained, not too rich soil is what herbs need to grow in. Add two parts of sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in containers. You will also need about an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot to ensure that the plant has good drainage. Herbs grown in pots indoors can also be supplemented with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure that the soil is sweet enough for the herbs.
Water is also needed by herbs grown in pots. Herbs can be kept humid by misting the plants and moistening the pebbles. Since they are being grown in containers they do need to have more water than herbs that are grown in a garden but, you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs drenched or soggy.
An advantage to growing herbs in pots is that you have the freedom to move them about as you please. Annual herbs can spend all of their time indoors but, perennial herbs do better if they were to be placed outside during the summer. Although all herbs should be brought inside before the first frost in order to avoid the loss of foliage.
This rule is overlooked when it comes to mint, chives, and tarragon. After experiencing their first snow, the herbs go into a rest period, then form a firmer and fresher growth.
All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs do better then others. Mint is an herb that needs to be contained or it will take over the garden.
Over all it is fairly easy to grow herbs in pots and maintain an indoor herb garden. Anytime you need them for cooking, an indoor garden keeps the herbs handy and just within reach.
You can grow your herbs and ensure a healthy plant with the tips mentioned above.
For optimum health, herbs must be periodically fed and annually repotted. Remember to replant annuals every year and move perennials outdoors when needed. You can harvest your herbs occasionally and use them as much as you want to. Pruning plants does encourage new growth. This is also true for herbs. Grow herbs in pots, store them, give them away to friends, and most of all, use them in your recipes.