This is t the right place to delve into how to grow my own herbs from start-to-complete. I’m going to cover some of the basics of growing herbs in this article. A lot of herb gardening topics are discussed on forums, in herb gardens, and in other articles in various internet directories. For now, though, we’ll just get started. We’ll cover a couple of herbs that are especially useful to have around, and which are easy to plant and harvest.
An inexpensive option in the beginning stages of herb growing is using potted perennials such as alfalfa or zinnias. These easily thrive in a pot on full sun. I find alfalfa easier to work with than zinnias because they’re a little bigger, so I can actually plant them in bigger pots. If you want to try potted perennials, just remember that you should repot them every few years or so, depending on how you use them. You may also want to move them outside if they’re not getting too much sun.
If you’re looking for a starter plan for indoor herb gardening, I’d recommend starting with an indoor window clippings style. These plants grow very well in pots on windowsills. You’ll be able to find many varieties, such as basil, mint, sage, parsley, chives, or any other type of herb that you can grow. These can be planted right up to the week before you expect your first frost. Once you know the plants will get enough sunlight, you can move them inside for the winter.
Most herb gardens need fertilizer. It’s best to use a natural fertilizer based on manure from your kitchen. Make sure that it’s free of sulfur and nitrates. These two ingredients are what cause plants to sprout new leaves. Don’t use regular fertilizer; instead, start taking care of your plants by fertilizing them twice a year, then just let them grow without fertilization for the rest of the year.
Make sure that you use the correct amount of fertilizer. For indoors growing, you should use one tablespoon of fertilizer per 5-inch pot. In addition to using fertilizer, you’ll need to water your container grown plants well after you plant them. During the early growing season, you should water only when the soil is dry.
Another concern for many people is the amount of light their plants get. If your plants are in a container, they probably won’t get more than six hours of sunlight, which isn’t very much. However, if you’re planting outside, you can provide artificial sunlight. This way, your plants will get as much sun as they need, and you won’t have to worry about dark, cloudy days.
Another thing to keep in mind is how much seed you need to plant. You don’t want to be in a hurry to plant, but you also don’t want to waste seed by planting too many or even the wrong kind. If you don’t have a garden, you can buy herb seeds at any gardening store. For indoors growing, simply buy loose leafy greens like spinach, kale and collard. You can plant these seeds into your garden, if you like, but be sure to plant them with plenty of sunny light so they will grow.
One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to plant herbs is by using cuttings. If you take cuttings from other plants, like herbs, you will be able to take those same cuttings and root them into your own herb garden. It’s much easier than growing them from seeds, especially for first-time herb gardeners. Start out by taking cuttings from young shoots or leaves that have been trimmed, making sure to remove all the bark. Keep the stems in the pot and water them regularly while they grow.