Growing herbs in wooden box

Growing herbs

Growing herbs in wooden boxVery few things are as rewarding as growing something from scratch, which you can actually use to enhance your recipes. Herbs are easy to grow outdoors as well as indoors, and will spice up your foods in the best way possible.


Gardening can be very relaxing, and definitely rewarding. What’s more special than taking care of something until it thrives and grows? Very little things are, I would say. You can grow herbs indoors or choose for the more traditional method: growing them outside. Either way, make sure to give them plenty of attention. They (almost) grow themselves, but you are responsible for them!

Growing herbs indoors

Who says that gardening is just something that you can do outside? Don’t worry; herbs— and some vegetables— can be grown indoors. This is perfect for when the colder seasons come rolling around, because most herbs will not survive colder temperatures. Take stalks or splitting from your outdoor herbs (or completely take them out and re-pot them inside) to continue taking care of them. All indoor herbs need is a healthy amount of sunlight, a nice amount of water, and clean air. Most herbs need around 6 hours of daylight every day, so make sure you put your herbs near a window. Keep the temperature in your house nice and cozy. Most herbs will thrive in 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but some are more resistant, and will be fine if you let the temperature into the fifties.

Easiest herbs to grow indoors

Chives: Chives have a delicious, onion-y taste that isn’t overwhelming.  Use chives for breakfast dishes or dinners, it doesn’t matter; chives blend in very easily and are delicious by themselves as well. They don’t require a lot of light, and you could use the roots from chives you buy at the store. If you want a kind of chives that is sure to chive– sorry— thrive indoors: buy the “Grolau” variety. It can be found online.

Lemongrass: Growing lemongrass is so easy, it’s almost like you're cheating. You’re not though! You don’t have to use any soil (say what, now?) and lemongrass will go well with most Asian dishes. Use a lemongrass stalk (find these at markets or buy them online) and put it in water. Make sure the bottom is intact and that you trim a little off the top. You will find lemongrass that lemongrass sprouts quickly and send out many roots and stalks, which you can cut off and eat.



Mint: Mint is refreshing, not just in tea, but also in most dishes. You won’t notice that it’s there at first, but it will leave a pleasant aftertaste in your mouth after finishing your meal. Mint needs its own pot, because it will invade on other plants and herbs easily. Grow it in a container and give it plenty of light.

Parsley: Make salsas and many Mexican dishes with parsley, or use some in Italian dishes; either will go well. If you’re going for parsley, you might find it’s a very slow grower. That’s a compromise you’re going to have to make for a great tasting herb that doesn’t need much light, we guess.

Cilantro: Sow your coriander seeds in a plastic tray, and have cilantro within no time. Give it plenty of light and water, and you’ll be able to cut the stems and leafs off of the plant, which we refer to as cilantro. What isn’t really common knowledge is that not just the stem and leafs of coriander can be eaten, but that you can eat them as sprouts and roots as well. Make sure to wash all of your herbs before preparing them.

Tips for growing your indoor herbs

Lighting: Make sure to give them plenty of sunlight. Do this by placing the herbs and other plants near a southwestern-facing window. This direction gets the most natural sunlight. However, if you don’t have access to direct sunlight, you could always get a couple of reflector lights. Place these lights about four to six inches away from the plant, not too close but certainly not too far.

Brown spots and weak leaves: Most herbs have leafs. These leafs can sometimes get brown spots on them. These brown spots are a sign that an herb is getting too much light. The brown spots mean that you are literally burning your plant. Although the brown spots are rare, it is much more common for plants to get weak leafs. This can mean you are not giving your herb enough water or that you’re giving them way too much water.

Watering herbs: Herbs don’t need a lot of water. In fact, you should give them a little water and then let them dry out completely. After they have dried out (this usually takes a couple days, up to a week), you should check the moistness of the soil with your fingers. Make a note of how long each herb takes to dry out, so you can think up an efficient watering system. Stay consistent with your watering!





                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Article written by: MirandaTempelman
Times read: 1984x
Added: 20-12-2015 02:02
Last modified: 03-01-2016 18:11

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