Parsley in teacups
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I wish we had windows in our house that get good sunlight but we dong and that makes it hard to grow quality herbs without a grow light.

We have more seasons that we can’t grow things outside than we do growing seasons so if we want fresh herbs year around we need to grow herbs indoors.

Having your own window sill herb garden can add color and fragrance to any home. There can be many reasons why someone might prefer to grow their herb garden by their window rather than in the ground.

One of those reasons is that by having their herb garden indoors, they don’t have to deal with the elements of weather and can grow them all year long.

Personally I have found it tough to grow herbs in three feet of snow.

While you can grow almost any type of herbal plant in a windowsill herb garden, there are some that are more suited to this method than others. Oregano is a great choice because it’s not too bushy and it has that delicious aroma and taste. Basil, as well as rosemary, are two additiional herbs which will do wonderfully in your windowsill herb garden. Some herbs will repel fungus, such as the rosemary, and others simply have a wonderful aroma that can fill your home any time of the year.

Plants need water, light and a good base, usually soil to grow. A window with good light is a great advantage. In the northern hemisphere that would mean a south or south-eastern exposure. Like all plants, herbs require good and steady light sources to increase their health and quality. Herbal plants prefer at least five hours of sunlight per day. Also, remember to keep them from enduring drafts, especially during the cooler winter months.

While you can certainly start your herb garden from seedlings, purchasing the proper containers that are about 6 to 12 inches deep in which to plant them and watch them grow,  is a good way to start.And don’t forget herb garden kits! They come complete, having everything you need: the containers, plants in the form of seedlings (frequently) and complete instructions on how to nurture and grow them.

But plants are living things and can’t just be put on auto-grow. You need to know about them, such as their gestation periods, when to cut back and prune, harvest and dry, store and use. Plants can compete with each other and you need to be aware of when one is overcrowding another and will need to be cut back. You want your window sill herb garden to look as though it belongs there in the windowsill, so there is some measure of attention that they will require from you.

Be careful about the amount of water you give your herbal plants. You must always keep a proper balance between wet and dry, not flooding and not parching. They don’t like soggy roots so don’t let the soil stay damp constantly If you purchase a kit that has the plants already in bloom, don’t rush to clip the leaves. Allow them time to acclimate to their new environment. And if you live in an apartment or someplace where there just isn’t enough natural light, don’t despair, just get an artifical light source and put it on a timer. Most herbal plants will do just fine under this kind of light, but it’s a good idea to check with a nursery or the manufacturer to be certain.

A window sill herb garden is a great way to spend your free time and if you’re an avid cook, you understand that there is no substitute for having fresh spices and herbs at your disposal. Growing your own herb garden and having it right there where you can see and smell it’s wonders is a great thing, and it will reward you in many ways adding life and beauty to you and to your home.

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