Posted by Joseph Robertson
Having a part-time indoor herb garden; this is for those people that are living in an area with cold winters "too cold for their outdoor plants to survive in. By transplanting or bringing the plants indoors, they can survive the less warm months and add greenery inside the home. There are some points to consider and preparations that should be made before you choose to become a part-time indoor gardener.
The most vital point to consider before bringing a plant inside is whether it will survive being an inside plant. If the plant has high or very high light wants and your home does not get plenty of light in winter time "it might not be a good solution. As a back-up you can invest in an artificial source of illumination to bolster the natural light the plant will get.
How will you get the plant inside? If the plant is already in a pot which will fit within it is simple enough to move it indoors. But if the plant is in the ground you want to discover a pot sufficiently large to contain the root system and one that will not be too difficult to move. Not forgetting that when an enormous plant is transplanted (re-potted or put in a pot for the first time) it may go into shock. Though with careful scrutiny, you can nurse your plant thru this.
Most likely you have been looking after your plants outdoors and they do not have any pests or bugs on them. However it is smart to double-check.
By bringing an infested plant inside you are putting your other indoor plants in danger of becoming infected too. Either forego bringing the plant within or treat the pest problem before the cold weather arrives. You may enjoy having your plant inside all winter that you decide to keep it there come springtime.
Joseph Robertson loves to help people grow their own indoor herb garden . Check out the blog for more on growing your own indoor herb garden .
Tags: Gardening, herb, Herb Garden, herb gardens, Indoor Garden, Indoor Herb Garden
Posted by Joseph Robertson
Herbs can also be grown indoors in pots or containers. They can also be grown in window boxes or hanging baskets. Growing herbs in pots is not any more difficult then growing herbs in an outdoor garden. An indoor herb garden requires the same growing wants that garden herbs need.
All plants need 3 main things in order to grow successfully; daylight, soil and water. Herbs are no exception. Daylight is critical to growing any sort of plant including herbs whether they are grown indoors or in a garden. You must place herbs grown in a kitchen or other room in a south or west facing window to get the very finest kind of sunlight. Differing kinds of herbs have different light necessities but , for the main part, all need a bright location. Some home herb growers supplement the light source with "grow lamps" or fluorescent lamps.
Herbs also require a well drained, not too rich soil to grow in. Add 2 parts of sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in boxes. You'll also need about an in. of gravel at the bottom of each pot to make sure that the plant has good drainage. Herb grown in pots inside can also be bolstered with one little spoon of lime per 5-inch pot to make sure that the soil is sweet enough for the herbs. Herbs grown in pots also need water. Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will really help to keep the herbs within damp conditions. Since they're being grown in containers they do need to have more water then herbs that are grown in a garden but , you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs soaked or limp.
An advantage to growing herbs in a container is that you have got the freedom to move them about as you please. Annual herbs can spend all their time indoors but , evergreen herbs do better if they were to be placed outside during the summer. Though all herbs should be brought inside before the 1st frost so as to avoid the loss of foliage. This rule is over looked when it comes to mint, chives, and tarragon. These varieties of herbs will go into a rest period then form firmer and fresher growth after it is introduced to a light frost.
All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs do better then others. Mint is an herb that must be contained or it will take over the garden. Over all it is fairly easy to maintain an inside herb garden. It keeps the herbs handy and in reach whenever you need them for cooking. With these tips mentioned above, you will be able to take care of your herbs and ensure a good plant. You must also include periodic light feeding and annual repotting for ideal health of the herbs. You will also have to don't forget to replant annuals annually and move evergreens outdoors when needed. Plus, use your herbs as much as you need as well as harvest them on occasion. It's no secret that pruning plants encourages new expansion. This rule also is applicable to herbs. So use them in your recipes, store them and give them away to pals.
Joseph Robertson is an enthusiastic fan of growing your own indoor herb garden. For more interesting facts and data - take a look at the blog on growing your own indoor herb garden.
categories: indoor herb garden,herb garden,herb gardens,growing herbs,indoor garden
Tags: Gardening, growing herbs, Herb Garden, herb gardens, Indoor Garden, Indoor Herb Garden
