How To Grow Winter Herbs Indoors & What To Grow
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For most families, winter is a time to hunker down and enjoy the comfort of warm meals and resist the urge to go outside. However, even though the weather is colder, your family can still enjoy the taste of fresh herbs (how long do fresh herbs last?). With some planning and effort, you can enjoy freshly picked herbs all winter long by starting an indoor garden.
Benefits of Having an Indoor Herb Garden
Growing herbs indoors is a great way to enjoy the benefits of gardening without having to brave the elements. Not only will you have a constant supply of your very own herbs, but you'll also enjoy the satisfaction of watching your plants grow. This can be a fun learning experience for the kids too.
Indoor gardening is a great way to boost your mood and fight cabin fever. Gardening has been shown to have several benefits for mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety levels. In addition, working with plants can help to boost your mood and fight off feelings of sadness and loneliness.
While it may seem complicated, indoor gardening is quite simple, and it's a great way to add some life to your home during the dreary winter months. All you need is a sunny spot, some basic supplies, and some knowledge. Once you start, you may be surprised at how easy it is to grow herbs indoors.
There's nothing quite like being able to snip off a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme to add to your family dinner. Not only does it save you money, but it also gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you grew the herbs yourself.
What is an herb, and how does it differ from spices? Learn more about herbs through the TexasRealFood Promptuary.
Herb Growing Essentials
Herb gardening inside your home is relatively easy, but two essential plant needs are tricky to meet.
Sunlight
The sun is a powerful source of energy for plants. To grow them in Texas during winter and get their total sun exposure, they should be placed on an east or south-facing window with at least six hours' worth of sun each day!
Humidity
Indoor plants need to be kept moist for them to thrive. However, Texas homes are susceptible to being dry during winter and can become challenging for plant growth.
Here are a few solutions for increasing moisture in the air around your plants:
To increase the moisture in your home's air, try setting pots filled with river rocks or gravel on a boot tray. This will allow them to absorb water from all angles and provide you with fresh-smelling plants.
Humidity is the key to healthy and happy plants. Suppose you want your herbs in their best possible conditions throughout winter. In that case, installing a humidifier can be one way they're cared for properly.
There are a few ways to increase the moisture around your indoor herbs. One solution is misting them regularly, but be careful with rosemary because it's prone to mildew if wet too much of its own accord.
Grouping similar plants together can help create a mini ecosystem that is good for indoor herbs' growth and moisture retention.
The Best Herbs for a Window with Southern Exposure
Basil, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme grow best in a window with southern exposure. These herbs all love the sun and can endure about six hours of it every day. Chives (how long do chives last?), in particular, need to be watered more often than herbs in southern windows to ensure the soil doesn't get too dry.
The Best Herbs for a Window with Eastern Exposure
Chervil, bay, parsley, thyme, and chives thrive in an eastern or western exposure window. These herbs tolerate light coming at them with less intensity. These herbs can wait a bit longer for water, but it's important to remember to turn the herbs more often for even sun exposure.
Supplies For Successfully Growing Herbs in Winter:
Herbs are nature's cure for everything! They're not just about adding flavor; they have many health benefits too. So if you want to grow your herb garden this winter, be sure and get all the supplies from our list below so that the herbs thrive in your home with ease:
Indoor Plant Growing Media
The best way to ensure your indoor herbs are well taken care of is by using the right growing media. This acted as a reservoir for moisture and nutrients, providing "empty" space around their roots that allowed airflow, which supported plant growth while also anchoring it in place!
Coconut coir and commercial potting mixes are the two most common growing media used in indoor gardening. Coconut Coir is a lightweight mix of fibers from coconut seeds that holds moisture well for plant life. While Commercial potting soil mixes consist mainly of peat moss or coco joint together with bark pieces like pine with perlite or vermiculite
Indoor Plant Containers
Containers are an essential part of any garden. Consider the size and materials used when choosing your container and if it has suitable drainage holes. Drainage holes will help with water retention.
Container Size:
When choosing a container for your plant, make sure to take into consideration the size and depth of its mature roots. Of course, it's always better to err on this side of caution when it comes down to deciding what potting soil will work best with them - be mindful that plants can get top-heavy if you provide too wide an opening, so watch out!
Container Material:
Growing herbs indoors is challenging and requires careful planning. For the best results, opt for containers that can hold water, like plastic or fiberglass; these materials allow excess moisture to evaporate naturally so your plants stay healthy without being over-watered (which could cause them root rot). Also, consider using terra cotta for your potted plants if you want to avoid any risk of plant damage due to temperature changes.
What herbs thrive indoors during winter?
Herbs are an excellent way to add fresh, healthy vegetation to your home. They can be grown outside, but many prefer to grow them indoors where it's warmer, allowing for faster growth and creating more potent flavors!
If you're looking at starting up some herb garden this winter, consider these hardy varieties, which have been proven successful when kept cool during cold months:
Bay Laurel
Bay laurel is a hardy evergreen tree or shrub that can grow indoors during the winter. It has leaves used in cooking, such as casseroles and stews - wait until you try them out!
Mint
Mint is one of the best hardy herbs to grow in winter. It grows best when it's given plenty of light so place your container near an eastern window with good natural sunlight for optimal growth; also, make sure there's enough water available every day (but don't let them sit underwater).
Chives
Chives are great, cold hardy herbs widely used in most dishes and can be grown indoors during winter months. This mild onion-like herb tastes best in dishes like omelets or salads but makes for an exciting addition to your favorite dish at home!
Oregano
Oregano, another one of the hardy herbs, is known as an indoor grower and can thrive in cold weather with proper care; it accentuates many Mediterranean and Mexican dishes but also tastes good when eaten raw on top of your favorite salad!
Parsley
There are a lot of great herbs that can grow indoors during the winter. One such winter herb is parsley, which has been used both culinarily and for practical purposes over time by chefs across cultures because it's tough enough to handle lower light levels while still producing tasty flavors when grown inside! You can choose any type for this: flat-leaf parsley or curly.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a perfect houseplant for those looking to spice up their home with fresh culinary herbs. It's hardy and thrives indoors, making it easy on you! Use this versatile plant in your kitchen by adding its strong flavorings sparingly during winter months when cooking meat dishes like lamb or pork without watering too much.
Thyme
One of the most popular house plants is thyme, which can be grown inside during winter months because it thrives in low light conditions like those found indoors! Thyme has aromatic leaves with flavor, depending on the variety. Still, they all have one thing in common- their ability to add depth when used as part of an ingredient or dish preparation recipe.
Winter Savory
Winter savory are perennial herbs with a strong, spicy flavor that's good for seasoning all kinds of meat, fish, and stews. It's easy to grow indoors—just make sure you have enough light and water.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an herb known for its bright flavor and relaxing scent. It can be grown indoors all year round, and it's especially great during the colder months when you might be looking for ways to bring some sunshine into your life. It's easy to grow indoors, too—it will thrive in your kitchen window or counter.
Lemon balm is also good for your health! This fragrant medicinal herb has been used for centuries as a natural sleep aid and mood enhancer.
Spice up your dishes with these Texas Culinary Herbs for Cooking.
Harvesting Herbs
Harvesting herbs isn't difficult. Knowing when to harvest to preserve maximum flavor and how to encourage new growth is just a matter of learning.
Herbs grow best when harvested regularly. Removing their foliage triggers new growth, eventually filling into a full bush. For herbs like mint, basil, or cilantro, snip a few inches from each stem, cutting right above the set leaves. You may also harvest entire stems outside the plant by making half-inch cuts at the base.
The right time of day to harvest will depend on the type and purpose of the use. Still, typically it's best done early in the morning before the heat from the sun dissipates oils that make flavors come through. This is particularly important if you plan to dry or dehydrate the herbs. On the other hand, if you're grabbing a handful of basil to sprinkle over your pasta, it's okay to harvest as needed.
Summary
Starting an indoor garden is easy - you only need a sunny windowsill and basic gardening supplies. Once you've set up your garden, you'll enjoy the taste of fresh herbs in your cooking all winter long. Not only will your food taste better, but you'll also get the satisfaction of knowing that you grew it yourself. So skip the store-bought herbs this winter and try expanding your indoor herb garden.
Whether you're looking to improve your diet, start a new winter hobby, or save some extra cash, these are the Best Herbs That are Compact and Easy To Grow Indoors.
