Starting an indoor herb garden is a great idea for renters in Roanoke who are looking to beautify their homes with greenery and fragrance. It can also be a great way to exercise your green thumb if you haven’t gardened much before. Growing herbs indoors can be easy and low-cost, but it takes some planning and know-how. If you’ve ever considered starting an indoor herb garden, here is a step-by-step guide to choosing, growing, and adequately caring for your herbs.
Choose Herbs
An herb garden is a great way to enjoy fresh produce while adding natural beauty to your home’s interior. But first, it’s essential to know which herbs grow best indoors. Different herb plants have different light and soil needs, so choosing the right herbs is an important first step. Those that do best inside include rosemary, thyme, basil, chives, mint, and parsley. Most garden centers carry seedlings of these plants in the spring, making it easy to establish your new garden.
Prepare Growing Containers
Once you know which type of herbs you want to grow, the next step is to prepare your growing containers. Almost any container will work if it has good drainage and a tray underneath to catch excess water. It is also okay to start small, but remember that if your plants thrive, you may need to re-pot your herb plants quite soon. Fill each container with a potting mix, not potting soil; potting mix has more organic matter that will help encourage vigorous growth. Some gardeners prefer to keep different herb plants in separate pots or containers, but it is optional. As long as each plant has enough room to grow and send down roots, they should do just fine.
Place Your Garden
With your containers prepared and your plants chosen, the next step is to decide where to place your herb garden. Your plants need between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight daily, so a sunny windowsill or similar location often works best. If you don’t have a windowsill, quite a few creative options are available, from wall planters to containers that stick directly to the glass. Herbs do not grow well without at least some direct sunlight, but they also can’t stand too much. Finding the perfect “goldilocks” spot that feels just right is the key to healthy plants.
Water Regularly
Your herb garden will also need proper amounts of water. When it comes to herbs, the idea is to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Add water in small quantities, and do not let the soil dry out completely between watering. Both too little and too much water is bad for herb plants, so it is a good idea to save the little tags that come with seedlings and follow the suggested amounts. It may also be helpful to keep track of when and how much you are watering your plants.
Harvest Selectively
Once your herbs are established, you can start harvesting leaves to season your food. Fresh herbs are delicious and healthy, not to mention convenient. But remember not to cut too much of one plant at a time. While regular trims encourage new growth, cutting too much could cause the plant to fail altogether. As long as you are careful not to remove more than a quarter of the plant at one time, you can continue to enjoy your fresh herbs throughout the seasons.
Does your indoor garden need more room to thrive? At Real Property Management Colonial, our Roanoke property managers are also experts at helping you find the home that is just the right fit. Contact us online or call 540-595-7411 and ask us about our available rentals today.
Originally Published on February 14, 2020