How To Create An Indoor Herb Garden
Farm to table? Try windowsill planter to table.
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Creating an indoor herb garden is easy, and not only will it help flavor your food, but it’s also a great way to learn about gardening. How much fun would it be to be able to chop up herbs for dinner that you grew yourself? Imagine being able to flavor your pasta with basil from your very own herb garden! Planting the garden itself won’t take too long, but the benefits you’ll get from it can last a long time.
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While indoor herb gardens are fairly easy to make, we’ve got some tips to help you make the best one.
Step 1: Choose Your Container
When it comes to choosing a type of pot or container, decide if you want to make your own or buy some. Keep in mind that your herbs should get a lot of sun, so you’ll need something that will fit in a nice sunny spot in your house.
Making Your Own Container
You have a few options when it comes to making your own containers, and again, what you choose may depend on where you are planning to keep them.
Egg Carton Container
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This is the easiest option, especially if you are going to plant a variety of herbs, since each one can have its own spot.
Paper Cups
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These work well since you can easily label them with a permanent marker to identify each herb.
Mason Jars/Glass Jars
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An excellent way to recycle old jars without putting them in the recycle bin!
Old Mugs/Teacups
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If you want your herb garden to really be on display, using old mugs and teacups is the perfect way to make a statement!
Ready-Made Containers
There are several options out there for herb garden pots and displays you can buy.
Herb Pots
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You can go the traditional way, and just get regular herb pots.
Self Watering Pots
Cole & Mason
If you want to get really fancy, you can get a self-watering pot, but that takes away the fun of watering.
Wall Planters
Ecosides
If your house doesn’t have much counter space, wall planters like the ones featured below could be a good option for you.
No matter what container you choose, make sure there are small holes at the bottom so the water can properly drain out when you water them.
Step 2: Choose Your Herbs
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Decide what herbs you want in your herb garden. Is there a favorite you have, and that’s the only one you want? Or do you like all sorts of flavorings and want a variety? Some of the best herbs for indoors are basil, oregano, thyme, mint, parsley, and dill.
You can plant either from seeds or seedlings (plants that are not fully grown), or, if you don’t want to wait, you can buy the fully grown herb to plant and take care of.
Step 3: Plant Your Garden
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If planting from seeds: Add potting mix to your container, until it is about half full. Add a few seeds to the top, then loosely cover with more soil.
If planting from seedlings or plants, fill the pot about ¼ full, add the seedling, and fill in around the roots with soil.
Step 4: Label The Herbs
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You don’t want to mix up your herbs, so make sure you label each one. There are plenty of readymade herb labels, or you can use a chalkboard sticker on the side of each pot. Even better? You can make your own! Get a popsicle stick, and using a permanent marker, write the name of the herb on the side. Stick the popsicle stick in the soil with the correct herb.
Step 5: Water And Watch Them Grow
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Water your herbs 2-3 times a week, and when you do, be sure not to add too much water, and to pour it slowly into the soil. If the plants start getting too big for the pots, transfer them into bigger pots.
Step 6: Enjoy!
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Once your herbs grow and are big enough to cut, it’s time to use them in your favorite dishes! Add some fresh basil to pasta sauce, or make a chip dip with dill ... whatever you use your herbs for, they will taste that much better because you grew them yourself!