Excellent cooks know that using fresh herbs in their recipes makes for the best results. Of course we're all familiar with the dried versions that sit on counter tops and on pantry shelves forever, but are they really any good? Are we preparing the best food by using dried herbs? You can buy fresh herbs at your local grocery, but have you ever considered growing your own? You'll not only have delightful, fresh herbs right on hand, but a lovely green plant in your home as well. Growing an indoor herb garden is not difficult and you don't even need a green thumb to see success. All that's really required is patience and a little research.
Where should you begin first in your quest for growing an indoor herb garden? Here are just a few easy to do tips that can get you off on a good start.
First of all, where are you planning to grow your herbs? You'll need to take into consideration the amount of light your garden will receive. Look for locations that get southern and eastern light exposure. From here, you can now decide the herbs that you'll grow based on the kind of light coming in. For example, the following herbs must have full sun exposure: tarragon, basil and oregano. However, mint does fine in shade. You'll need to research your options before planting.
Some gardeners decide to plant directly into the ground, while others prefer to start the plants indoors before planting outside. Starting indoors first may help your herbs reach their full potential.
If you have your own compost heap, then you're a step ahead as far as soil choices. There are lots of options when it comes to soil, and if you don't make your own compost then you can go to your local garden supply store and get potting soil.
One of the most common errors that new gardeners make is over watering their herb plants. You want to make sure your plants have enough liquid, but over watering is not good. Check to make sure you've allowed for enough drainage as well. If you notice that your plants have leaves starting to turn yellow, then you know you're over doing it.
Once your herbs have started to mature, then some regular maintenance is all that's required. You'll need to re-pot every year and prevent them from getting too big for the pots they're in. Simple pruning along with proper watering and love and care will result in a fabulous indoor herb garden.
Article Source: EzineAarticles.com
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