[ad_1]
If you want to enjoy regular flavor in your kitchen anytime and at a moment’s notice, you can grow herbs indoors all year round. Here are a few tips for growing a successful windowsill herb garden.
1. Get your plants off to a good start.
Choose a planter with drainage holes, fill it with potting mix, and lightly seed your herbs to ensure germination. Once your plants are 1 to 2 inches tall, you can thin them out to avoid overcrowding. Learn more about seed starting here.
2. Make sure you have enough sunlight.
While herbs are easy to grow, they require a lot of light. An ideal location for a window garden is a south-facing window with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day.
3. Avoid overwatering your herbs as they grow.
While you don’t want to over-dry your herbs, too much moisture in the soil can lead to problems like fungus, soil pores, or root rot. Keep in mind that most Herbs thrive in sunny, relatively dry conditions. A basin under your pots is a good idea, especially to protect your window surface, but avoid filling them with standing water for long periods of time.
4. Grow your herbs.
JJust like your outdoor plants, you can feed your windowsill herbs occasionally with an organic fertilizer.
5. Pinch back your herbs when they are a few inches tall.
Regular trimming encourages them to be less leggy and fuller. As you use your herbs, pinch off the top. This will continue to drive background development.
Take advantage of the warm days. When outside temperatures allow, consider bringing your windowsill herb garden outside. However, to avoid burning tender plants, gradually expose them to direct sunlight.
Erin Walrath-Mariano is a kitchen garden specialist with over 17 years of professional experience designing, building and maintaining private kitchen gardens in Connecticut and New York.
| Sources |
[ad_2]