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