So, you live in the city in a high-rise apartment; that does not mean you can’t have your own fresh herbs. Gardening herbs in containers is, in some ways, easier than creating a spot in a backyard garden. If you have a sunny kitchen window, it could be the perfect place to decorate with your favorite herbs. A creative window box or hanging basket can turn a corner of the apartment into a beautiful conversation piece in an jiffy . And, the truth be told, growing herbs in containers is no anymore difficult then growing other house plants.  It’s a matter of knowing their requirements.

All plants need some variation of sun soil and water and herbs are no exception. Sunlight is the key to growing every type of plant, including herbs, whether they are grown indoors or out.   A southerly or western exposure will give the proper measure of sunlight.   Growing sage has different sunlight requirements than dill or chives but, for the most part, all need a good amount of sun for healthy growth .  Fear not though, if you are short on natural sunlight, you can rely on “grow lamps” to take up any lack.  

As to the soil you use, it is primary that it drain well to prevent root rot.   It is best to make your own soil by mixing two parts of a peat rich potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite.with about an inch of gravel at the bottom of the container for  proper drainage.   By adding teaspoon of lime to a 5-inch pot the soil will have a nice sweetness for your herbs.

And now to the matter of watering your herbs – watering lightly 2 – 3 times a week should be sufficient.  Misting in between times will give them a nice reasonably humid condition.   Since a pot will hold water more than the soil in a garden, it is necessary to be observant and avoid letting the roots get soaked or waterlogged. Never forget well draining soil!

The advantages of gardening herbs in a pot are numerous, such as you can move them about as you please, it adds aroma to the room, herbs are a unique type of house plant, etc.   Annual herbs can stay indoors all year long but, perennial will do better if placed outside during the summer and brought indoors before the first frost.   This does not apply to mints, chives or tarragon as they will form firmer and fresher growth after being exposed to a light frost. Whether it is for the beauty, the aroma or for the quick access for a recipe, there are many reasons to cultivate a garden of herbs in containers

All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs do better than others.  Mint, for example, is an herb that is easily contained in a pot as well as its cousin oregano. Left alone in a garden, these two as well as thyme can take over a corner of any garden.   As I said, gardening herbs in containers is easy and takes only some special knowledge while keeping your culinary herbs available anytime you need them.

Caring for your herbs will ensure a healthy plant. With these tips and your prudence, you will be able to continuously reap your rewards keeping your herbs robust giving you a constant supply for your favorite recipes.  Pruning herbs just as with other plants encourages new growth.   Periodic light feeding and yearly repotting will produce the most healthy herbs. So use them in your recipes, store them and give them away to friends.     

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 6:27 am and is filed under Gardening Plants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.