It might be surprising to some, but most herbs grow better in an indoor herb garden. A large number of herbs are annuals. Annual herbs and plants have a year lifespan. They grow and bloom in one season then within a year, they die. You may think that this type of herbs is too expensive, but you actually extend the life of your annuals.

Here are some key points explained in establishing an indoor garden.

Knowing the easy-to-grow indoor herbs

Annuals are the best type for indoor gardens. Since their lifespan is limited, they cannot be exposed continuously to changing weathers. Their roots usually have small growth; which is why they cannot stand the outside environment. They can be easily uprooted and their leaves would easily wither.

Some varieties of basil like Thai, Holy Basil or Tulsi and lemon, chives, scented geranium, lavender, rosemary, sweet woodruff and lemon verbena are some of the annuals appropriate in indoor settings. These could be grown in small pots and they could survive without constant exposure to sunlight. However, some may need to be taken outdoors once in a while. These would be further explained in the succeeding parts.

On the other hand, some perennials could also survive in indoor environments. They just need to be exposed outdoor from seasonally.

Having the right locations

Window areas, door openings, atriums and any area inside your house with natural lighting or close proximity to outside ventilation are the most suitable places for indoor herbs. Place them near the windows in the kitchen which should always be left open or at least ajar. Just a few hours under ample sunlight could make your plants healthier.

If you are into aromatic herbs, you most definitely want them placed in various parts of the house. But do make sure that you take them outside for at least one to three hours daily. Too much sunlight will cause their roots to dry up and that would result to frequent wilting of the leaves.

Perennials could also stay indoors but as much as possible expose them to sunlight regularly. Put them in places where there is most sun exposure. If you have limited space near the open areas, you could use chains to hang them instead.

Taking care of the herbs – on watering, pruning and soil maintenance

Indoor plants need as much water as outdoor plants. You can have them watered every other two days. But never drown the soil as this will make it too soggy to absorb other nutrients from the soil.

You can also do occasional pruning. But do not take out the drying foliage immediately. Letting them fall on the pot would make them possible fertilizers. However, if there are too much falling leaves, you have to remove some of them. They may be too moist, thus killing the roots.

Your soil should have regular peat moss or compost supplements. At least every three months, dig up an inch from the surface and put in a new batch. This is also a basic in growing herbs in pots.

Before annuals die, start repotting so you would not have to start planting all over. Trim off a healthy part of the herb. Each cut piece should have some roots and foliage already this will make it easier for you to grow them.

Now these three easy key methods would ensure you of a flourishing indoor herb garden all year round.

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Although sage is most commonly associated as THE herb used in the bread stuffing we all squish inside of the Thanksgiving turkey, this herb plant grows in several different varieties that each impart their own unique flavor.

Hopefully reading this article will expand your use of the sage herb into areas never considered possible….and….will take you on an enjoyable culinary journey of the herb.

Common Sage (salvia officinalis) grows as a perennial evergreen bush. The plant should be pruned to encourage new growth with stronger flavored leaves. Pruning will keep the plant in a uniform bush shape without the woody stems associated with the sage plant. The leave should be harvested before the plant flowers and either dried, frozen or preserved in vinegar. Common sage is best used to flavor fatty meats such as pork, goose, lamb or duck and oily fishes. Sage is used in sauces and stuffing and is many times sautéed in olive oil until crisp and added to pasta sauces.

Tricolor Sage (salvia officinalis tricolor) sports three colored leaves, hence the name of tricolor. The leaves are beautifully streaked with variations of the colors green, pink and white, lending this plant a beautiful appearance that is guaranteed to add color and texture to the herb garden. The tricolor sage plant is not as hardy as other sage varieties and will need mulch cover to survive a harsh winter – or consider bringing it indoors for the winter to enjoy fresh. Tricolor sage has a milder flavor that lends well to use in poultry dishes, soups and eggs.

With grouping the pots in batches having one large plant in each group can create a focal point for the container garden that will make it look more focused. Bold leaves and striking colors can also be used to create focal points.

You can use a touch of garden art on your container garden design flora pots. A mix of perennials, houseplants, herbs trees and shrubs can be used for your pot garden and you can try and experiment as many number of times you want with your different ideas before selecting one.

An indoor herb garden is fun and easy to create and maintain. They take up little space and once the planting is done, it requires minimal time and effort to keep them growing and producing.  Creating and maintaining an indoor herb garden can also be a relaxing activity which helps calm stress.

But did you know that an indoor herb garden can also help you control your weight? Believe it or not, fresh herbs are a powerful component of a healthy diet and they can help you manage weight challenges. They affect digestion and metabolism in a positive way that can help individuals lose weight and keep it off.  The easy access to fresh herbs with an indoor herbal garden can aid in your healthy weigh goals.

The use of any medications or herbs should be carefully considered and reviewed with a doctor if there is a plan to use them in their natural form or in large quantities. Supplements and herbal combinations can be harmful in some cases and herbs often interact with certain drugs negatively.  But we’re not talking about herbal supplements, pills, and herbal “wonders” that claim to make the weight melt away.

The type of weight control we are talking about is safe and healthy. It simply requires the use of a herb garden to wake up foods and make them delicious – even if the food is green like broccoli or brussel sprouts! Herbs can be used to spice up the flavors of healthy, natural foods in a way that makes them more appealing and inviting. When foods taste better, people are more likely to enjoy and even crave them.

Using a herb garden to create delicious, nutritious, and flavorful dishes is one way to help control weight.  Fresh herbs make a lot of difference too.

Consider the possibilities of using herbs from your indoor herb garden to enhance a dietary plan.

1. Cayenne pepper is an herb that is often used in cooking. It is a very spicy, hot addition to dishes and it wakes up flavors. It can stimulate digestion and increase metabolism. Once the body begins to metabolize foods faster, the body becomes a fat burning machine.

2. Have a cup of green tea with breakfast, lunch and dinner to aid in weight control. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that fight cancer and it is a good way to help control weight.

3. Add a sprinkling of basil to tomatoes, pasta sauce, squash, and zucchini for a flavorful burst of taste. Using herbs to add more vegetables to your diet increases your intake of antioxidants and high fiber foods.

4. Crush mint leaves and sprinkle them over fruit, tea, or fresh vegetables. Use herbs to up your intake of fruits and veggies.
5. Nothing wakes up peppers, onions, tomatoes, and pasta sauce like fresh oregano. A light coating of homemade pasta sauce covering whole-wheat noodles is a dieter’s delight.

6. Bake chicken with a generous dusting of crushed rosemary to make it delicious and nutritious. Just remove the skin, spray lightly with cooking spray, sprinkle with crushed black pepper and a generous serving of fresh, crushed rosemary and bake at 400° for about 50 minutes. Healthy and nutritious!

7. Add a healthy sprinkling of tarragon over fish before cooking to make it tasty and healthy. Eating 2-3 portions of fish weekly will help with your weight loss efforts.

8. Thyme is often overlooked but it is one of the most versatile herbs to wake up foods and taste buds. Try some on potatoes, pork, tomatoes, pasta, eggless quiche, and other dishes. The flavor is worth it.

Indoor herb gardens are a great way to have fragrant herbs on hand any time. They are easy to grow and maintain and the rewards are tastier, healthier foods prepared at home. Wake up the flavor of foods by creating your own indoor herb garden. You’ll find the time you spend creating your herb garden is well worth it and you’ll enjoy the stress-free activity.

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.

Herb plants from your own herb garden are an easy and inexpensive way to make recipes even tastier than you ever imagined. Herbs can also be used for garnishes or as adornment for your dinner table. Knowing the secrets and tips to harvesting herbs will make them even more flavorful and enticing.

Taking advantage of the spicy, sweet, or pungent flavors of foliage removed from herb plants requires more than simply plucking them from the garden and tossing them in a recipe. When you know how to properly harvest, prepare, and preserve the fruits from your herb plants, you will get more from your Herb Gardening efforts. A Culinary Herb Garden is a treasure once you learn the secrets to harvesting herbs.

The herb harvesting process is not difficult nor does it take a lot of expensive equipment or processing. The most important secret to remember about harvesting from herb plants is to retain as much of the natural essential oils as possible. Essential oils are one of the most vital and important parts of the herb plants and most all herbs store valuable, flavorful oil within the leaves.

Learning about herb harvesting without losing the natural oils in the leaves will result in the most aromatic, flavorful, and savory herb plants possible. Whether you are using herbs fresh from the garden, or drying them for later use, preserving oil from the herb plants is the most important thing to remember during harvesting.

Culinary Herb Garden Harvesting

The following tips will help you harvest the most luscious and delicious herbs possible:

1. Always consider the timing of the harvesting process. Mornings are the best time of the day.
2. Since the wind can disperse and dilute the essential oils of the herbs, you should harvest them on a calm, dry morning during mid-summer.
3. Keep in mind that fewer oils are produced by the herb plants on extremely wet days so the herbs will not be as fragrant and pungent if harvested during rainy or wet days.
4. Dew settling on herbs can affect the oils and flavor so be patient and wait until the dew has dried from the leaves right before the flowers open.
5. Harvesting should be done before the sun becomes too hot or the heat will cause the herbs to have less oil.

Culinary Herb Gardening Secrets for Continual Growth

Not only is it important to harvest at the right time, it is also important to understand how to harvest from the herb plants. Pulling large clumps of herbs and flowers from the plant can cause damage. Knowing the secrets about how to harvest delicacies from the herb plants will make them more precious.

Consider these essential tips for herb harvesting:

1. Do not remove the entire plant or you will lose the opportunity to have a continual harvest of freshness from the herb plants.
2. Herb gardening takes time and effort and you should only take a small amount of growth and foliage from herb plants for each use. It is recommended not to take more than 1/3 of the plant’s foliage at any one time.
3. The herb plants require a fair amount of foliage to continue reproducing and growing well so take care during the harvest and afterwards. Do not handle herb plants in a way that causes unnecessary loss of foliage.
4. Herbs can be picked for immediate use or they can be dried, prepared, and saved for later use. Never harvest more than you believe you can use in a reasonable time because the fresher the herbs, the tastier and more fragrant.
5. Before, during, and after harvesting, always check the herb plants for insects or damaged leaves. Take necessary precautions to remove or avoid insects in the future.
6. Using a good pair of sharp shears or knife is advised. Pulling with the fingers may damage the plants and the root system causing poor herb production later.

Culinary Herb Gardening Rewards

A Culinary Herb Garden brings great pleasure to those who engage in the process. Once you learn the important basics about herb harvesting, you will find that herb gardening is rewarding and uncomplicated. A few tips can make a significant difference in how your herb plants reproduce and grow in the future. Taking the time to properly prepare will make the Herb Gardening experience more effective with every herb plant you choose.

Knowing when to harvest from herb plants and how to take care of the plants for continual beauty and production of healthy, fragrant foliage is a treat for the senses. Start your Culinary Herb Gardening today and watch your herb plants flourish for a long time to come.

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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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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