Growing Herbs in Pots
Looking to do some herb gardening, but with pots instead of a garden? Growing herbs in pots is not that much different than growing herbs the normal way, in a garden.
Though some plants may be a little fussy about what they grow in, herbs, fortunately, are not. From pots to window boxes to hanging baskets, herbs can be grown in almost any container you can find.
If it holds soil, you can grow a herb in it
Three things are essential for all plants; the right amount of sunlight, the proper soil, and a proper balance of water. As with anything in life, whether plant or not, excessive amounts of anything may prove harmful, even fatal.
So growing herbs in pots means placing the pots in sufficient sunlit areas.
A room with a window facing the sun is a good start. Though be careful with how much sunlight you expose your herbs to, so it’s best to know which type of herbs you have and how much sunlight they require.
Different herbs require different sunlight exposure.
For dimmer places without much sunlight, you can supplement the light source using “grow lamps” or even plain fluorescent lamps. For soil requirements, herbs flourish in well drained soil that’s not too rich.
A good potting mix for herbs in containers is two parts sterilized potting soil and one part coarse sand or perlite. Each pot should have at about an inch of gravel in the bottom to promote proper drainage.
A flooded pot is dangerous to herbs.
Supplementing the soil with lime (about one teaspoon per 5-inch pot) also helps your herbs flourish. When it comes to watering your plants, it is a good idea to mist the leaves and moisten the pebbles to provide humidity for the herbs.
Growing herbs in pots means having to water them more than the garden variety, but always make sure drainage is present to avoid drenched or soggy herbs.
Growing herbs in pots give you an added advantage over herbs grown in gardens, in that you can easily shuffle your plants around the house, out in the garden, or back in your kitchen.
Annual herbs
Annual herbs need not be shuffled in and out of the house, but perennial herbs would do well to be taken outdoors during the summer months. As a rule, all herbs are to be brought inside during the first frost, except for mint, chives and tarragon.
These herbs go into a rest period then form a firmer and fresher growth after a light frost. Though most herbs do well growing in containers, some are suited to pots more than others, like mint. Mint, if planted in a garden, has the tendency to overrun all your other plants like a weed.
Overall, growing herbs in pots is relatively easy.
All you need to do to be able to care for and ensure a healthy stock of herbs is to remember to follow the tips provided above, as well as periodic light feeding and yearly repotting.
Replanting annuals each year, and moving perennials outdoors when needed should also be practiced. Harvesting from your plants is very much encouraged since pruning promotes new growth, which is very much welcome with your herbs.
Growing herbs in pots, indoors, is a nice way to keep your herbs in easy reach for when you are cooking, or if you just want to garnish your pepper steak at dinner.
