Table of Contents
Introduction
We are all looking to add extra texture and flavor to our meals to enhance the experience for the whole family and the perfect way to do that is by adding fresh herbs to your dishes, healthy addition to all of your favorites. Although it is easy and cheap enough to buy herbs at the supermarket, there are no guarantees that the ones you want to buy will be readily available when you want to buy them, or that they will be the very best quality.
The best way we have found to ensure that what you want is obtainable when you want it is to grow the herbs yourself. We at Best of Tools have provided some advice for how best to plant your indoor herb garden to make the most of your growing space and to enhance your meals.
Where to Start?
The first thing to do is to decide what herbs you would like to grow, we like to decide this based on our personal preferences, which we would recommend, so you have what you enjoy eating when you want to eat it. The alternative is you can begin by growing herbs that are classed as ‘beginner’s herbs’; such as rosemary, sage, or parsley – recommended for those who have yet to try herb growing as they are low maintenance.
Once you have decided which herbs you are going to grow you need to start planting, we recommend seedlings over buying seeds as seedlings will grow quicker and can be purchased quite easily from garden centers or Home Depot. Herbs are very easy to grow as you can plant multiple herbs in a planter, providing you allow enough space for them to grow and make sure not to plant a herb that needs a small amount of water next to one that needs a large amount of water. It is best to grow different herbs in different pots if you can, but either way, ensure you label them, so you know what you are adding to each meal; a cocktail stick with a label on is great.
Ongoing Care for your Herbs
Now that your herbs have been planted, you need to ensure that there is adequate drainage in the pot(s) you have chosen, the majority of herbs grow best in damp soil. When you are repotting the seedlings, use a good quality garden soil in your new pots and be careful with the root ball when repotting, damaging this will kill the herbs.
Most herbs require a modest amount of water on a daily basis, but with adequate drainage, there shouldn’t be a concern of overwatering your herbs. If you notice the soil becoming wet rather than damp, reduce the amount of water for a day or two to ensure the roots don’t become overwatered. When caring for your herbs, you need to trim them from the top, removing the top leaves carefully with pruning shears and letting the low leaves catch the sun.
Placing your herbs on the window sill is where we recommend as herbs thrive on direct sunlight daily, but do be careful not to let the herbs get too hot as they will wilt. So, if your window sill becomes too hot, relocate the pots to a cooler area of your home. The best thing we can recommend is moving the herbs around your home to find the most suitable place for them.
When your herbs have grown, experiment with adding them to your favorite meals and splash out on a new cookbook to find new fresh favorites.
