| For thousands and thousands of years we | | | | own. You may want to always plant those |
| have turned to plants we call herbs for | | | | herbs in containers since they tend to |
| flavor, dye, perfume and cosmetics. We | | | | "take over" the garden. |
| have believed that individual herbs held | | | | Some people swear that you must put |
| the power to repel insects, evil and | | | | garden stones in the bottom of the |
| vampires, while others attracted the | | | | gardening container, but I dispute that |
| perfect lover, good luck or bees to | | | | opinion. I feel that the garden stones |
| pollinate our crops. For some, the use | | | | take valuable space away from the herb |
| of herbs can cure headaches and burns. | | | | roots. You might want to place a small |
| And, of course, what would fine dining | | | | piece of wire screening over the hole to |
| be without the culinary herbs? | | | | keep it from getting clogged. |
| Here are some tips for herb gardening | | | | Here are some examples of which herbs to |
| indoors that will simulate the | | | | plant together: |
| conditions in an outside garden. For | | | | * For an Italian selection try Sweet |
| Herb gardening indoors the growing | | | | basil, Italian parsley, Oregano, |
| climates need to be pretty much the same | | | | Marjoram and Thyme. * For a lovely |
| as the conditions outside. | | | | scented container use Lavender, Rose |
| Make sure you have a sunny windowsill | | | | scented geranium, Lemon balm, Lemon |
| that your herbs will love. Use a | | | | thyme, and Pineapple sage. * For really |
| container that is at least 6-12 inches | | | | great salads try Garlic chives, Rocket, |
| deep. | | | | Salad burnet, Parsley, Celery. * And to |
| Get your herb plants from a good garden | | | | say "We love French Cooking!" use |
| center nursery who will have plenty of | | | | Tarragon, Chervil, Parsley, Chives and |
| garden advice to help you with your | | | | Sage |
| inside garden. You will need some garden | | | | Allow time for your herbs to grow used |
| equipment like a small digging garden | | | | to their new conditions. Once you see |
| tool, garden gloves, organic fertilizer | | | | growth you can start using you herbs. |
| and some small gardening containers. You | | | | Snip and use your herbs often to |
| probably already have most of these | | | | encourage them to grow full and bushy. |
| garden supplies in your garden shed. | | | | When it comes to light, all herbs must |
| Soil is the most important aspect of | | | | get 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day on |
| growing herbs indoors. Use only top | | | | your window sill. If your window doesn't |
| grade potting soil with an organic | | | | supply that much light then purchase |
| fertilizer mixed in. If you think it is | | | | garden grow lights and hang them three |
| too fine a soil, use a little perlite. | | | | inches above the plants. If you live in |
| Fertilize while potting the herbs and | | | | a very hot climate shade the herbs |
| they should be happy until spring. If | | | | during the hottest periods. If you live |
| you have an herb that is not growing | | | | in a very cold climate keep the herbs |
| vigorously add a little organic liquid | | | | away from the cold glass panes. |
| fertilizer to the water. | | | | When it comes to watering, don't let the |
| When you go to transplant the herb, go | | | | herbs dry out but don't drown them |
| one inch up in the size of the gardening | | | | either. Herbs do not like to sit in wet |
| container. If the plant is in a two inch | | | | soil. An inexpensive water meter from |
| pot, go to a three inch gardening | | | | your garden center nursery will help |
| container. Leave the roots alone and be | | | | with this important step in growing your |
| careful not to bruise the stem. | | | | herbs. Always use room temperature water |
| Don't plant oreganos, mints, lemon balm | | | | so as not to shock the herb's roots. |
| or bee balm with other plants because | | | | If you follow all of these steps you |
| they will overgrow everything. Pot these | | | | will have a healthy herb garden all |
| herbs in a garden container all their | | | | winter on your sunny windowsill. |