Summer is a great time to get the indoor herb garden started but can be trickier to grow than an outdoor one. The growth can be slower but is still worth the effort when you consider you will be harvesting fresh basil for
your tomato sauce during the winter months.
Start with a flat filled with seed starter mix. This mix can be found at your local garden center. You can reuse the flats you buy your annuals in, just wash them in bleach before reusing. Place the herb seeds on top of the seed start mix and cover lightly with more seed start mix, press down gently and water in well. To avoid washing away the seeds you just planted, spray the top of the flat with lukewarm water until the soil is moist. Cover with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse environment that will keep the
temperature and humidity levels even. Before covering with plastic wrap make sure you label the seeds you just planted because you will forget
what seed you planted where. I know because I have done this on a number of occasions. Once the seeds sprout take the plastic off. When the seedlings have two sets of leaves, transplant them into 6 inch pots that are filled with a good draining soil mix. Label each pot and place them in the sunniest room in your home.
Herbs grown indoors tend to grow slower so growing several pots of the same herb will assure a continuous harvest throughout the winter. Herbs need strong sunlight to grow properly and south-facing windows could already be filled with all of your other houseplants. To add more prime growing space to the room set up a table with a grow light and position it 6-8 inches over the plants and leave it on between 14 and 16 hours.
Herbs are a bit more demanding than other houseplants, needing conditions to be "just right". The following are the cultural needs that should be
followed to prevent pale, spindly and unflavorful plants.
LIGHT:
Most herbs need 5 hours of direct sunlight a day.(Some exceptions are mints, bay, parsley, rosemary and thyme) If you cannot provide natural sunlight for this length of time opt for artificial lightning.
TEMPERATURES:
Most herbs like daytime temps around 65 degreesF and nightime temps around 60F.
AIR CIRCULATION:
Dry, stagnant air found in most of our homes during the winter is a breeding ground for pests and disease. Don't crowd your plants, space the pots evenly so the air can move around them.
FEEDING:
Once a month feedings are all that is needed. You can use an all-purpose fertilizer like 10-10-10. Over feeding will cause the plants to grow leggy and
unflavorful.
WATERING:
Correct watering is crucial to any plant. Overwatering kills. When the pots surface shows signs of drying, water thoroughly, making sure the excess
water drains out of the bottom of the pot. Using a potting soil that drains well will help avoid the soggy soil problem that can lead to root rot.
PESTS:
Common infestations of spider mites, whitefly and aphids are brought about by dry, indoor conditions. Use a homemade remedy of 1 - 2 Tablespoons of
flaked ivory soap to one gallon of water. Spray all parts of the plant, especially the undersides of the leaves once a week if pests are present.
One rule to remember when growing herbs as houseplants- grow enough to handle the harvesting. Because the plants grow more slowly during the winter, one cutting can leave the plant a little thin. Having a back up plant will give the recently cut one a chance to rejuvinate. Some of the best choices to grow indoors are Chives, Garlic Chives, Dill, Sweet Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Summer Savory, English Thyme and of course Basil.
