Tips For Growing Herbs in Pots
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by: amalia.przepiora.easyitaliancooking
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Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 Time: 11:05 PM
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You can easily grow herbs indoors in containers or pots. Some great options for herb plants are hanging baskets or window boxes. Growing herbs in pots is not anymore difficult then growing herbs in an outdoor garden. Indoor herb gardens require basically the same environment as your outdoor herb garden.
All plants need three main things in order to grow successfully; sunlight, soil and water. And this is true for herbs. All plants need sunlight, but most herbs will only thrive if they have at least 8 hours of sunight per day. Since herbs need plenty of sunlight, the best place indoors is a room with a west or south facing window. Different types of herbs have different light requirements but, for the most part, all need a sunny location.
Some home gardeners supplement their light with "grow lamps" or fluorescent lamps. Herb plants grow best in soil that is not too rich and is well drained. Add one part sand or perlite and two parts sterilized potting soil to containers for herbs.To keep roots from sitting in water, pour about an inch of gravel into the bottom of your pots. Herb 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. Herbs grown in pots need enough water but not too much.Adding a little water to the pebbles and misting your plants will help create a humid condition. Since they are being grown in containers they do need to have more water then 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 a container 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 is not true, however, for chives, mint or tarragon. These types of herbs will go into a rest period then form firmer and fresher growth after it is introduced to a light frost.
While most herbs can be grown in containers, some will grow better than others. You must contain mint or it can easily overtake your garden.It's pretty easy to keep a healthy indoor herb garden. It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking. By following these tips, your herb garden should be healthy and provide plenty of fresh, beautiful herbs. To keep your herbs healthy, you should repot them every year and add some light fertilizer. You will also have to remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors when needed. Plus, use your herbs as much as you want as well as harvest them occasionally. Pruning your plants will actually help them grow.This is also true for herbs. So use your home grown herbs in your recipes, store them and give them away to friends.
Get tips on herb gardening in my free My Free "Herb Gardening Secrets" Email Mini-Course and learn the secrets to growing your own fresh herbs at http://www.joysherbgardeningsecrets.com
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Joy Harris
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