ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
24.07.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Herb Gardening Indoors

Author: Mary Hanna Author Ranking Silver | Posted: 15-03-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 423 | Rating:  (53) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

For thousands and thousands of years we have turned to plants we call herbs for flavor, dye, perfume and cosmetics. We have believed that individual herbs held the power to repel insects, evil and vampires, while others attracted the perfect lover, good luck or bees to pollinate our crops. For some, the use of herbs can cure headaches and burns. And, of course, what would fine dining be without the culinary herbs?

Here are some tips for herb gardening indoors that will simulate the conditions in an outside garden. For Herb gardening indoors the growing climates need to be pretty much the same as the conditions outside.

Make sure you have a sunny windowsill that your herbs will love. Use a container that is at least 6-12 inches deep.

Get your herb plants from a good garden center nursery who will have plenty of garden advice to help you with your inside garden. You will need some garden equipment like a small digging garden tool, garden gloves, organic fertilizer and some small gardening containers. You probably already have most of these garden supplies in your garden shed.

Soil is the most important aspect of growing herbs indoors. Use only top grade potting soil with an organic fertilizer mixed in. If you think it is too fine a soil, use a little perlite. Fertilize while potting the herbs and they should be happy until spring. If you have an herb that is not growing vigorously add a little organic liquid fertilizer to the water.

When you go to transplant the herb, go one inch up in the size of the gardening container. If the plant is in a two inch pot, go to a three inch gardening container. Leave the roots alone and be careful not to bruise the stem.

Don't plant oreganos, mints, lemon balm or bee balm with other plants because they will overgrow everything. Pot these herbs in a garden container all their own. You may want to always plant those herbs in containers since they tend to "take over" the garden.

Some people swear that you must put garden stones in the bottom of the gardening container, but I dispute that opinion. I feel that the garden stones take valuable space away from the herb roots. You might want to place a small piece of wire screening over the hole to keep it from getting clogged.

Here are some examples of which herbs to plant together:

* For an Italian selection try Sweet basil, Italian parsley, Oregano, Marjoram and Thyme. * For a lovely scented container use Lavender, Rose scented geranium, Lemon balm, Lemon thyme, and Pineapple sage. * For really great salads try Garlic chives, Rocket, Salad burnet, Parsley, Celery. * And to say "We love French Cooking!" use Tarragon, Chervil, Parsley, Chives and Sage

Allow time for your herbs to grow used to their new conditions. Once you see growth you can start using you herbs. Snip and use your herbs often to encourage them to grow full and bushy.

When it comes to light, all herbs must get 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day on your window sill. If your window doesn't supply that much light then purchase garden grow lights and hang them three inches above the plants. If you live in a very hot climate shade the herbs during the hottest periods. If you live in a very cold climate keep the herbs away from the cold glass panes.

When it comes to watering, don't let the herbs dry out but don't drown them either. Herbs do not like to sit in wet soil. An inexpensive water meter from your garden center nursery will help with this important step in growing your herbs. Always use room temperature water so as not to shock the herb's roots.

If you follow all of these steps you will have a healthy herb garden all winter on your sunny windowsill.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/herb-gardening-indoors-18640.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Visit Mary Hanna's websites at: Gardening Herb, Gardening Landscaping Tips and Container Gardening
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

How To Grow An Indoor Herb Garden
By: Mary Hanna | 06/06/2006 | Health
Mary Hanna provides you information on how to grow herbs for enjoyment in your home. The article contains information and how to plant and maintain an herb garden indoors.

Herb Gardening in your Home
By: Mary Hanna | 25/02/2007 | Gardening
Mary Hanna provides you with information on how to grow herbs for gratification in your household. The article contains instruction on how to plant and sustain an herb garden in your home.

Planning Your Herb Garden The Right Way
By: Mary Hanna | 05/08/2006 | Gardening
Planning Your Herb Garden the Right Way gives you a great outline on how to establish a herb garden. These are tips on growing an herb garden either inside or outside. All of the requirements from the planning stage, the growing stage and the harvest stage are addressed here for beginners or pros.

Herbs - Understand The Different Kinds Of Herbs
By: Tango Pang | 15/04/2007 | Medicine
Herbs: Understanding the Different Kinds of Herbs and What These Herbs are Good for Herbs can be considered one of the most important products in the world today, and for many different reasons. Herbs can be used for many different purposes, and for most of the part, they are plants that...

Popular Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
By: Denise Villani | 31/10/2007 | Gardening
This article discusses several types of herbs that are grown in herba gardens and how to grow and dry them.

Gardening Herb Indoor
By: Tracy Ballisager | 05/12/2007 | Home and Family
If you have started your indoor herb gardening with cuttings or via transplant, you should allow the soil to dry out a slightly. Your indoor herb garden should get plenty of light but should not be exposed to extreme heat

Herb Gardening - 10 Tips To Start Your Own Indoor Herb Garden
By: Abhishek Agarwal | 12/12/2007 | Gardening
The new age of gardening - Herb Gardening. Here are some useful suggestions to make your own herb garden.

Herb Gardening and the Seven Deadly Sins
By: Mary Hanna | 05/03/2007 | Gardening
There are seven huge mistakes that herb gardeners make in the process of herb gardening. Here is the blueprint for what not do in your herb garden.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Feeding adopted 3 yr old cat
By: jane459 | 27-04-2008
I adopted an overweight 3 yr old cat yesterday from a wonderful family. I can't get her to eat. I have all her original food, litter, bed, etc. help.

What kinds of herbs can you grow in Southern California?
By: YeddaYogi | 07-03-2008
What kinds of herbs can you grow in Southern California?I am planning an herb garden and need some advice, what herbs grow well in an suburban environment like LA?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Gardening Articles

Japanese Knotweed Removal Must be Speedy
By: Paul | 24/07/2008
Taking action for Japanese knotweed removal is imperative as the problem will not disappear, in fact Japanese knotweed, if left untreated, will increase.

Xeriscaping Incorporates Financial and Environmental Benefits
By: Jason S Skmich | 24/07/2008
Designing one’s landscaping is always a delicate dance, and one based primarily on personal tastes. In economically challenging times, however, incorporating landscaping that serves as an advocate for water conservation is also vitally important.

How to Choose Right Garden Tool for Gardening Enjoyment?
By: Abhinav Sidana | 24/07/2008
If you love gardening and would like to have a passion for it, you need to select the right garden tools.

Valentines Day Flowers
By: Rakesh Gaikwad | 23/07/2008
Valentine's Day sees the sales of flowers, predominately roses, exceed ten million in one day. It is estimated that over one million British men and women spent in excess of thirty million pounds on Valentine flowers. Men purchase the majority, however, it is becoming increasingly popular for women to buy...

Why We Should Take Pride in UK Flowers
By: Rakesh Gaikwad | 23/07/2008
Traditional UK flowers incorporate a whole host of flowers grown in the UK. Fragrant arrangements packed with an abundance of freesias and dappled with fern leaves displayed in pretty wicker baskets are a very popular choice which is ideal for sending to people of all ages and give a true...

Do You Need Backyard Landscaping Ideas ?
By: Randy Letter | 23/07/2008
You are lucky enough if your house have a backyard hence you will need to think of few backyard landscaping ideas to readjust your backyard space so your guest or visitor will envy you. It does not matter how much budget you will need to design your backyard since there...

Tranquility in Your Garden With a Garden Fountain
By: Lisa Sousa | 23/07/2008
It is well known that running water can help you to relax. A garden fountain can help to add beauty to your backyard and provide a centerpiece to your gardening and landscaping. It will also enhance the peace and tranquility in your garden. Choosing a fountain isn't always easy. There is...

An Inside Look at the UK Flower Industry
By: Rakesh Gaikwad | 23/07/2008
Within the UK flower industry a vast amount of the flowers used by florists are cultivated and grown in the UK. In spring the UK flower growers produce the most amount of daffodils in the world, many of which are exported. Narcissi, daffodils and tulips are grown throughout the UK....

More from Mary Hanna

Cruise Lines Enhance the Cruise Experience by Offering Up-to-date Amenities
By: Mary Hanna | 09/05/2007 | Travel
Cruise lines now offer a plethora of activities for you to enjoy on your next cruise vacation. Keeping up with all the modern technology will be sure to satisfy all cruisers needs while still enabling them to live the cruise experience to the fullest.

Indoor Gardening Plants
By: Mary Hanna | 04/04/2007 | Gardening
Indoor Gardening can be peaceful and a great hobby. Spruce up your home with a beautiful indoor garden.

Container Gardening Tips for Everyone
By: Mary Hanna | 03/04/2007 | Gardening
Container gardening is a fun and fulfilling hobby. With just a few container gardening tips you will be wildly successful.

Tomato Container Gardens
By: Mary Hanna | 27/03/2007 | Gardening
Tomato container gardening is a way to beat the high price of tomatoes in the grocery store. It is fun, easy to do and takes up very little space.

Container Gardening Ideas for your Home
By: Mary Hanna | 27/03/2007 | Gardening
Container gardening ideas are easy to come up with if you do a little research. Some good container gardening ideas are to plant a variety of flowers with vines that hang over the side. Another container gardening idea is to plant fruit trees, vegetables and herbs. Use your imagination to come up with container gardening ideas.

Container Gardening in Apartments or Condos
By: Mary Hanna | 25/03/2007 | Gardening
Many people think that their gardening days are over when the move to an apartment or condo. Container Gardening is the answer to their gardening urge either in their home or their on patio.

Herb Container Gardening in your Home
By: Mary Hanna | 23/03/2007 | Gardening
Herb container gardening in your home is simple and exciting. The herbs will not only enhance your cooking skills but they will also brighten up your kitchen.

Garden Gift Baskets for the Avid Gardener
By: Mary Hanna | 19/03/2007 | Gardening
A garden gift basket is the perfect gift for a friend or relative who is an avid gardener. With a little imagination you can make up a basket that will live up to their expertise or garden theme.

Article Categories







Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below