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