Growing Herbs Indoors

Even as the winter season in the Juniata Valley is in full gear you can still enjoy fresh herbs in your cooking.  Growing many favorite herbs indoors during the winter months is easy and a fun activity for the whole family.

Herbs do have some specific requirements when you grow them indoors.  Most require six hours of direct sunlight.  This can be accomplished by using a window with a southern exposure or by placing the herbs 6 to 12 inches from two cool white fluorescent bulbs for a period of 14 to 16 hours per day.  Those herbs that do well in indirect sunlight are mint, rosemary, thyme, lemon balm and tarragon.  If you do not provide the proper light for the plants they will become thin and grow very spindly, producing small leaves.  It is important to remember if you do grow herbs on a window sill you will need to rotate the pots often so each side is exposed to proper light for uniform growth.

Herbs like their room temperature to be between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the night.  If you plan to grow basil, you cannot let it be in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, because it cannot survive lower temperatures.

Humidity is another environmental factor you need to consider when growing herbs.  Just like house plants they will do best if you place their pots on top of a container that is layered with pebbles.  You will need to keep the pebble container filled with water.  The moisture from the bottom pebble container will help keep the humidity level adequate for the herbs.

You only need to fertilize herbs every two weeks with a low dose of water soluble fertilizer.  Over fertilization can negatively affect the aroma and taste of you herbs.

Once the roots have grown through the drain holes of the pot, it is time to repot your herbs. If you are growing herbs that have taproots, such as dill, you will need to make sure you have it growing in a deep pot.

Most home and garden centers have herbs seeds available this time of year.  So, if you need a good gardening project during these blustery winter days, grow some herbs on your kitchen sill.