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Growing Herbs Indoors and Outdoors

Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 9:45 am  
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Herbs: basil, scallion
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If you are interested in growing herbs indoors or outdoors, you will find that it can be a fun, relaxing venture.An herb garden can be grown in a variety of different locations and in many different types of containers and still thrive. An indoor herb garden offers easy access to fresh herbs for cooking at a moment’s notice. And a herb garden located just outside the kitchen or back door makes it easy to grab a handful of pungent or sweet herbs to spice up or sweeten any recipe.

A lot of people plant herb gardens in an area of their yard or larger garden. Others choose an indoor herb garden due to lack of outdoor space or for convenience. Climate is also a factor and if you live in an extremely cold area of the country, it’s important to consider the types of herb plants you include in the herb garden.

One option for outdoor herb gardening is the use of half barrels or similar larger containers. Oversized patio pots are also a good choice for outdoor herb gardens. This is a very easy and handy way to create herb gardens. When you use various containers of different sizes and heights, they can add visual appeal to a patio, deck, or back porch. Their many colors, textures, and shapes are beautiful in the outdoor environment. The same is true for growing herbs indoors when smaller pots and containers are used and they can be used for decorative purposes in window sills and on tables. Just move them to the table for a centerpiece, and then move them back to the sill where they continue to thrive.

Another nice advantage about barrels and containers for herb gardens is that they can be moved around to take advantage of the seasons as the sun moves positions. They can be moved from the back patio the front porch easily and they add decorative allure in every space. When growing herbs indoors, they can be easily moved to different window sills to take advantage of the sun and they can be used for table decorations and returned to their home in the sill afterwards.

Planting herb gardens in barrels or similar containers makes it easy to plant, maintain, and harvest them. Keep in mind that many plants will grow rapidly and they can actually take over a space. An example of a rapidly growing, spreading herb plant is mint. The advantage of planting mint is that it has an especially pleasing aromatic foliage. But allowed to roam on its own, it can become overwhelming in herb gardens. Containers help contain mint and similar types of plants so they do not become unwieldy.

Your herb gardens can be planted in ceramic pots, clay pots, baskets, or other containers as long as they are well-drained. Container gardening also allows you to move pots indoors if weather becomes too harsh for the herb plants.Growing herbs indoors takes the worry out of inclement weather but it does require diligence in making sure herb gardens receive adequate natural light and sunshine throughout the year.

Container gardening such as barrels, pots, and baskets have advantages. But outdoor gardening is also a good way to go since an herb garden has visual appeal for the landscape. As long as the soil is well-drained and receives sunlight during the day, it’s a good place for herb gardens. If there is plenty of room for growth, an herb garden planted in the ground can be allowed to grow larger and accentuate the landscape even more. Lavender and mint are often used for this purpose and they offer lots of outdoor pleasure.

An indoor herb garden or a large outdoor container garden can be an easy way to get started with herb gardening. Growing herbs indoors or out is a rewarding experience from many perspectives and when you know the tips and secrets about herb gardens, you can create a garden to please the senses in every way.

Ralph J Miller is the author of this article and the creator of the Ebook “My Sectets to a Successful Herb Garden”. For more information and tips on herb gardening and growing herbs indoors, please visit our website at http://www.MyHerbGardeningSecrets.com and while your there you can register to recieve your Free Herb Gardening Secrets Mini-Course.

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3 Essential Tips for Growing Herbs Indoors

Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 10:04 am  
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neil's indoor herb garden
Image by Melody Kramer via Flickr

I have finally been hooked on growing my own herb. I am even going to grow them indoors this winter. Fresh is so good.

Growing your own herb plants is a good way to create fresh, aromatic herbs for many different purposes. Growing herbs indoors is simple since herb plants grow well in pots and they thrive in sunny window sills. Any type of pot or container that allows for well-drained soil will be a welcome home for herb plants.

There are three (3) important things necessary for an indoor herb garden and these are the same essential things needed for outdoor herb gardens too.

1.  Adequate sunlight
2.  Well-drained soil
3.  Plenty of water

These three things are important for growing herbs indoors so a window sill or surface where sun enters through a door or window is important. A kitchen herb garden is an excellent place to start. If there is a window in the kitchen that faces south or west, you can take greater advantage of natural sunlight. If you have a problem with a lack of adequate sunlight, growing herbs indoors can also be accomplished by using a light source such as a “grow lamp” or fluorescent lamp. While these are available, natural sunlight is always preferred if it is available.

Soil is the next important consideration. Herb Plants grow best in well-drained soil that is not too rich. Using two parts sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs is a good mixture for pots. It is also beneficial to put about an inch of gravel or small rocks in the bottom of each pot to allow for adequate drainage. When growing herbs indoors, it is essential to ensure that pots do not become too wet and drainage helps avoid this problem. Adding about a teaspoon of lime for a 5-inch pot will help ensure that the soil is best suited for herbs. When the soil is optimal, the herb plants will grow strong and healthy and maintaining the herb plants will be easier.

Next, don’t overlook the importance of water when growing herbs indoors. Herb Plants grown in pots need adequate water, although it’s important not to over-water them. Herbs grow well when misted lightly with cool water. When growing herbs indoors in pots or containers, water them more often but avoid drenching the roots and leaving them soggy. They will not thrive in a pot that is too wet. A light spritz of water is a good way to keep them damp but not saturated.

When growing herbs indoors, it is easy to start a herb garden without a lot of fuss and trouble. Following these three essential tips for indoor herb garden projects will help ensure that your herb plants are healthy and produce fragrant herbs for cooking or other purposes. This is just the beginning of the wonderful experience of herb gardening and before you know it, you’ll be ready to take your indoor herb garden into the outdoors too.

Ralph J Miller is the author of this article and the creator of the Ebook “My Sectets to a Successful Herb Garden”. For more information and tips on herb gardening and growing herbs indoors, please visit our website at http://www.MyHerbGardeningSecrets.com and while your there you can register to recieve your Free Herb Gardening Secrets Mini-Course.

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