“Most homeowners have only a limited amount of space indoors to grow herbs,” said Jeff Dorton, landscape designer and salesman at Berns Garden Center & Landscaping in Middletown and Beavercreek. “While most herbs don’t require a large amount of space, they do require a large amount of light, whether it is from the sun or from artificial grow lights. Herbs require at least five hours of direct sunlight a day.”
Choose herbs you use.
“The best herbs are going to be those you use most often for cooking or enjoy the aroma. Parsley, oregano, thyme, basil and mint are some of my favorites,” said Kathy Matousch, manager of Siebenthaler’s in Centerville. “Rosemary is a popular herb, but can be challenging inside.”
John Burkhart, owner of Burkharts Nursery & Landscaping in Miamisburg, recommends easy-to-grow herbs chives, thyme, French tarragon, sweet marjoram and sage.
Time and space are factors in growing an herb garden, so start small, Dorton said.
“Both space and maintenance will be determined by the number of herbs you are growing,” he said. “I would recommend that first timers to herb gardening pick one to three varieties to try. Smaller varieties, like mint or parsley, can be grown in a quart-sized container, while larger varieties like rosemary will need a 3 gallon or larger container.”
Think outside the box when it comes to containers, Matousch said.
“Herbs can be grown in a variety of containers,” she said. “Nothing smaller than a 4-inch pot. Mature plants will be comfortable in an 8-inch pot if they are growing well and like their situation. Clay pots, windowsill planters, hanging baskets — anything that strikes your fancy and the situation in which you are growing.”
It’s all in the mix when it comes to a thriving garden, Dorton said. Find a good planting mix for herbs, or make your own using compost. Also, take the plants outside for the summer.
Remember to let the light in.
“The biggest hurdle is sun. Outside, herbs are sun and heat lovers, thriving in the summer garden. Inside, in the winter, light can be the biggest issue. If we have a winter with lots of sun and you are growing near a window you will have success. Cloudy winters or growing further away from a window can be a challenge. Grow lights can help in that situation,” Matousch said.
Watch your herbs’ daily water intake. Don’t over-water.
“Plants can recover quicker from under-watering than from over-watering,” Matousch said.
Burkhart also recommends fertilizing with a good water-soluble fertilizer every time you water the plants. To encourage new growth, Burkhart says the herbs should be used and trimmed on a regular basis.
“If they start to bloom, nip off the flowers. Herbs lose a lot of their potency when they bloom. You want to keep the foliage only. Nip as needed for cooking, shaping the plants as you do so,” Matousch said.
About the Author