Secrets to Growing Herbs in Pots

Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 6:39 am

: Image by Simon Mark Smith via Flickr

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 sunshiny 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 blink of an eye . And, the truth be told, growing herbs in pots is no anymore difficult then growing other house plants. Each plant has it own set of requirements.

All plants need some variation of sun soil and water and herbs are no exception. The right combination of these elements is the key to growing every type of plant, including herbs, whether indoors or out. A southern or western exposure will give the best measure of sunlight. Lavender has different sunlight requirements than basil or mint but every herb needs adequate sunlight for healthy growth . Then there are “grow lamps” to supplement the need if natural light is inadequate.

Herbs also need a well drained and not too rich a soil to grow in. 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. A teaspoon of lime, per 5-inch pot, should be added to this mix make the soil sweet enough for 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 moderately 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. Remember well draining soil!

There are particular advantages to gardening herbs in a container, such as you can move them about as you please. You can keep annual herbs indoors all year long however, perennial should be put outside during the summer and brought inside before the first frost. Plants like mints, chives or tarragon will actually form firmer fresher growth after being exposed to a light frost. The beautiful flowers of chamomile or the aroma of rosemary provide more reason to grow them indoors.

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. It is no secret that pruning plants encourages new growth. Periodically feed them and yearly re-pot them to produce the healthiest herbs. And in the end use them in your recipes, harvest them and give them as gifts to your friends.