Herbs are a great addition to any garden. However, with a little care, you can also grow them indoors.
Herbs grown indoors offer many benefits including fragrant foliage and a constant supply of fresh herbs to add to your cooking. Herbs can be grown like houseplants; however, unlike houseplants, herbs need conditions to be just right for optimum growth or their health will rapidly decline.
Light
Most herbs need 6 hours of direct sunlight. A window with a southern exposure is best; or you can place herbs 6 to 12 inches away from two 40-watt, cool white fluorescent bulbs for 14 to 16 hours.
There are some herbs that can tolerate lower or indirect sunlight:mint, bay, rosemary, and thyme. Lemon balm and tarragon will even grow in very low light conditions.
Without the proper light, indoor herbs will become spindly, produce smaller leaves, and reduced aroma.
If you are growing plants on a windowsill, be sure to rotate them around so that all sides of the plants are exposed to the light.
Temperature
Herbs like daytime indoor room temperature of at least 65 to 70 degrees and a little cooler at night.
Basil can be tricky; basil does not like any temperatures below 50 degrees.
Water and fertilizer
How often to water depends on the herb. As a rule, if the soil feels dry when you put your finger down into the soil about an inch or so, it is time to water.
Herbs such as bay, oregano, sage and thyme should dry out slightly between watering.
When growing rosemary, never allow the soil to dry out completely. Fertilize herbs with a water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength every three weeks or so. Too much fertilizer can negatively impact the herb’s aroma and flavor.
Additional tips
Humidity and good air circulation will help. Setting the containers on trays with moist pebbles or misting the plants with water can help increase humidity.
Try not to place your containers too close together; or you can use a fan to help circulate the air during winter.
If you do notice insect pests, you can use a soapy solution of 1 to 2 tablespoons of dishwashing soap to one gallon of warm water and spray the plants once a week.
If you grew herbs outdoors, you may dig up the plants and place them in containers with fresh potting soil and bring indoors. Herbs that you grew in containers outside this past summer can be brought indoors.
Be sure to look them over carefully when you bring them inside to be sure you do not bring in any insect pests.
It is always a good idea to prune the plants back a little and repot in fresh potting soil.
You can also make more plants by taking stem and leaf cuttings. Seeds may still be available in local gardening centers; herbs are generally easy to start from seeds.
Many sources will have live plants; rosemary topiaries, for example, are easy to find around the holidays.
Do not expect herbs to grow the same as they would outdoors.
They will not grow as fast inside as they would outside, and they may drop leaves.
A little care, however, you can have fresh herbs to cook with all winter. If you are lucky enough to have a sunny windowsill, why not try an indoor herb garden this year.
Find more gardening information on our website, cceoneida.com, clicking on Home & Garden on the menu or call us at 315-736-3394, ext. 100. Be sure to like us on Facebook (https://ift.tt/2Yi7RhI) and check out our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/cceoneida) for great gardening talks.
The Link LonkNovember 15, 2020 at 09:00PM
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Growing herbs indoors can help spice up winter dishes - Rome Sentinel
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