Indoor Herb Gardens

Virtually everyone has heard of container gardens, in all of their myriad of sizes, styles, and content. I might add here, that if you have containers on your balcony and you live in an apartment or condominium, please remember to put drain pans under your containers. That way, when you water them, you don’t drain water over the edge of your balcony onto your neighbor!

Remember, as with any plants that are in containers, it is important to not let them dry out. Conversely, don’t allow them to sit in water. Too much water will drown them. A good rule of thumb is to water just enough so the water begins to drip out of the bottom, then stop. Always use containers that have drip holes and holding pans, especially with container gardens.

People who don’t have a balcony, but have good windows that let in lot’s of sun can still grow plants. Maybe, not tomatoes or peppers, but many herbs do well against an indoor window. Basil, sage, marjoram, oregano, and thyme are nice, basic herbs for indoor growing. Depending on your style of cooking, would depend on the number and types of plants needed to supply you with enough herbs.

Genovese Basil is a nice, compact variety with large, green leaves. It has a wonderful, rich flavor that adds a special quality to salads and sauces. Lemon Basil is not only fantastic in salads, but when you brush you hands over the leaves to release some of the oils, it sends out a fresh, lemony scent into the air. Basils can get leggy or stretched out when grown indoors if they are not getting enough sun, so using them regularly is good.

Try different varieties of the herbs you love. This is a great way to experiment with dishes you already make to add a new flavor. Remember, fresh herbs are much stronger than dry, so use only a leaf or two at a time, especially in cooked meals where you might add a teaspoon of dry. This also gives you permission to frequently taste what you are cooking!

This type of growing is rewarding and money saving. Your house will have that fresh, herbal smell that helps to relieve the stress of the day. What could be more special than that?