Sandi Lane - Indoor Gardening Essentials

Indoor Gardening Essentials

The Essential Guide for Growing Herbs and Vegetables from Home

Copyright 2014 by Sandi Lane

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Sometimes you do not have outdoor space for a garden but desperately want one nonetheless. Or, perhaps you already have a beautiful outdoor garden and because you enjoy the ambiance so much you want to be able to enjoy it all year-round. In addition, you can impress your friends and family members and any other guests with the distinct and decorative look of an indoor garden in your home.

Indoor gardening will allow you to have much more flexibility when growing certain types of plants that need a specific temperature. For example, you could grow whatever vegetables you feel like all year round, and not have to wait until they are in season to enjoy their benefits. It also allows you to grow them organically to your own personal requirements. If you are looking to grow herbs and veggies from home, be sure to follow this guide.

S etting up an indoor herb garden is not that easy; but with proper knowledge and skills, you will be able to set up your own in no time. Herbs are more convenient to plant indoors because they are basically intended for medicinal and culinary use. It is handy to use them when they are right inside your house.

There are a few things that you need to consider before setting up an indoor garden. The first thing to consider is the exact amount of lighting that your chosen herbs need. If you dont want to use grow lights, you may find a spot in the house where the herbs can get the sufficient amount of sunlight.

Below are lists of plants and the length of time that they need to spend under ample sunlight. Herbs that love sunlight and need at least 6 hours under the sun are as follows:

• Thyme
• Basil
• Marioram
• Sage

Some herbs that can tolerate fewer hours of sunlight are:

• Chives
• Dill
• Savory

Some of the herbs that like sunlight but want a cooler temperature (around 60 degrees F) in order to bloom include:

• Parsley
• Coriander
• Rosemary

If your indoor garden only allows 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, then you may try growing tarragon and lemon balm. If the garden has lesser amount of sunlight and cooler temperature, then you may grow verbena and bay. Some garden experts recommend grow lights to grow plants evenly. Grow lights are useful when your indoor garden doesnt have any window. You can purchase them in home depots.

The next thing that you need to consider is the surrounding air. Most herbs need a continuous range of wind (around 70 degrees F during daylight and around 50 degrees F at night). Herbs can tolerate higher range of temperature (over 75 degrees F) but their growth will be lesser and they will be more stressed. This can make them susceptible to diseases and insect attacks.

Keep in mind that drafts can damage your indoor herb garden tolerably. An instant change of temperature caused by open windows or doors can shock the plants and weaken them. They can get damaged and they will wither when there is a strong breeze of cold air. So avoid leaving the door and window open, especially during winter.

Herbs dont tolerate cold drafts but they need a constant circulation of fresh air. Dont hesitate to put a small fan inside the garden. The herbs will benefit from the slow moving of air, allowing them to grow healthier.

The amount of water that indoor herbs need will depend on where they are planted. A plant that is growing in a container needs more water and gets dry faster than those that are planted outside.

You can monitor your herbs by watering them regularly. Set a watering schedule for each herb. This is the best way to keep your plants from getting dry and prevent them from going through a stressful condition.

The water should be in room temperature. Warm is better than cold. Just like the outdoor plants, indoor herbs need to be watered in the morning so they will be able to absorb the water just before the heat of sunlight affects it. Watering the plants at night can promote dampness that causes mildew and makes them more prone to disease.

It is also important to set up a drainage system. Herbs dont like to soak in water for a long time. You can place your herbs in a plate full of gravel so they can drain properly yet remain damp the entire day.

Before investing on an indoor herb garden, you must decide the gardens exact size. Generally, an herb garden for the kitchen measures at least 20 x 4 feet. Each herb should have an individual area of 12 x 18 inches plot, which is an adequate space for them to grow in. Separate the annual and perennial herbs. You may also create a diagram of your indoor herb garden to help you determine the space easier.

Dont overcrowd your plants. Give each herb enough space to breathe and grow. When purchasing the herbs, read their tags. Pay attention to their height and width. What is their size when they are fully grown?

Overplanting can waste your money, time and effort. The herbs wont have enough space to develop so you will hardly get any good harvest. Herb plants can grow lovely flowers; but herbs taste best when harvested right before the flowers bloom. Flowering is also a sign that the herb is about to die. So if you ever see a budding flower, pinch it right away. Herb flowers can be persistent so it would be best if you cut the entire stem to prevent the flowers from growing back.

Dont spray chemicals on the herbs. It is tempting to force the growth of herbs but if you are going to eat your herbs, it wont be a good idea to contaminate the leaves with chemicals. The products may contain labels that say these are safe for people but that doesnt mean that they are edible.

Keep a close attention to your indoor herb garden. You must know when the plants are no longer healthy. Watch out for damaged leaves as this may mean that the herbs are attacked by insects. If the leaves and stems are beginning to fade in color, it would give you enough time to save your plant from dying.