4 Tips on Growing Herbs Inside Your Home Year-Round
Herbs are always nice to have in your pantry. They can bring a lot of flavor to your dishes and produce delicious aromas, especially when cooking. And while dry herbs are occasionally called for, nothing really beats fresh herbs. And the best way to have a continuous supply of fresh herbs is to grow them yourself.
While the garden is the natural location of choice to grow your herbs, it’s not exactly available year-round. When winter rolls in, you are left without your precious herbs. Plus, not everyone has the privilege to have their own garden. Some may live in apartments or homes without outdoor space. Luckily, there is a way to grow herbs indoors. And here are some tips you can follow to help keep your herbs alive year-round.
1. Choose the Right Herbs
The best way to ensure your herbs will survive indoors is to plant herbs that are easy to grow indoors. Some of the best herbs you can grow inside your home include basil, chives, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme. And the great thing about these herbs is that they are commonly used in many popular dishes.
2. Give Them Just Enough Water
Naturally, plants need water to survive. But any plant parent will tell you that the amount of water you give to a plant will vary depending on the specific plant’s needs. Knowing how much water to give your herbs is crucial because you don’t want them to be thirsty, but you also don’t want to drown them.
The weather also plays a big role in your watering routine. If you want your herbs to thrive through the winter, it’s best to water them less. Give them enough water without making them too soggy to ensure the moisture levels are just right. And it’s also best to allow the topsoil to dry out in between waterings.
3. Provide Adequate Light
Aside from water, plants also need light. However, plants won’t be getting as much sunlight while indoors compared to outdoors. So, it’s important to find a place for your herbs that will give them the sunlight they need.
The best home for your indoor herbs is by a south-facing or west-facing window. However, if your herbs won’t be able to get at least four hours of sunlight in a day, you can use a grow light instead.
4. Harvest Them Occasionally
Unlike other plants, you actually want to remove some of the leaves in herbs, as you will probably be using them in your dishes. And while it is not ideal to completely harvest them, it can be a good practice to get a few snippets at a time. Aside from making your dishes tastier, this also actually helps encourage new growth in your herbs. Just make sure you are gentle while harvesting and that you don’t remove more than a quarter of the herb each harvest.
Final Thoughts
Growing herbs inside your home can actually be a great idea. It’s not as difficult as you think it will be, and it will give you a year-round supply of herbs for your recipes. Just make sure you choose the right herbs and familiarize yourself with the specific needs of each one.
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