Grow Fresh Herbs Indoors Year Around

If you have a spot near a window that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, you can grow an herb garden indoors. Imagine having fresh basil, mint, and cilantro growing near your kitchen in the middle of winter!

Start by choosing a container that is big enough to hold three or four varieties. Basil, parsley, and cilantro like growing together. Thyme, sage and rosemary are good companions for each other.

Be sure your pot has good drainage. You'll want to put a saucer to put under it so water doesn't damage your furniture.

Use a soilless potting mix, which is a combination of organic materials. It doesn't have sand, silt or clay, which are the major components of soil. The advantages of these mixes are that they retain water better than regular soil, seeds germinate more readily, there are fewer pest and disease problems than with regular soil, and they provide better aeration and room for roots to grow. Sometimes soilless mixes contain a slow release fertilizer. Read the label to be sure.

Ready to get started? This article from Botanical Interests explains more about setting up, choosing and sowing seeds, artificial lighting if you need it, caring for your plants, and varieties of seeds that do well indoors.

Bon appetit!