Herbs on the windowsill breathe fresh flavors into your cooking and bring a touch of greenery to your living space, whatever the season. Growing your own mini herb garden is easier than you might think. In this article, we reveal to you how to start and care for your herb garden on the windowsill.
With these tips for herbs on the windowsill you will soon have a blooming Herb garden in your home, which will be proof of your love for fresh, home-grown spices.
Herbs on the windowsill - which herbs to choose
When it comes to choosing herbs for your windowsill, the key is to think about your culinary preferences and space limitations. Opt for herbs that remain compact, thrive in pots and adapt well to the indoor environment.
- Basil: A basic ingredient in Italian dishes, basil loves warm, sunny places.
- Oregano: Essential to Greek and Italian recipes, oregano is a hardy plant that is easy to grow.
- Parsley: Parsley is a versatile herb that can spice up any dish and thrives in partial shade to full sunlight.
- Rosemary: With its woody scent, rosemary is great for roasting and baking. Prefers sunlight.
- Lavender: Known for its soothing aroma, lavender adds a unique flavor to desserts and thrives in the sun.
- Chives: Excellent in salads and as a garnish, chives require minimal space and moderate sunlight.
- Thyme: with its tiny leaves, thyme has a strong flavor, perfect for stews and roasts.
- Coriander: essential in Mexican and Asian cuisine, cilantro loves sunlight.
- Target: ideal for drinks and desserts, mint can be invasive so potted is perfect.
Cultivating herbs
Most herbs prefer 6-8 hours of sun of light per day. Turn the pots regularly for even growth. Herbs don't like wet soil, so make sure they have pots drainage holes and water, when the top layer of the soil seems dry. For optimal growth, keep the herb in a room with a temperature between 15-21 °C. Use a potting soil mix.
Harvesting herbs
Herbs harvest in the morning, when their essential oils are at their strongest. Pick them with scissors or pinch off the leaves with your fingers, being careful not to remove more than one-third of the plant at a time. Regular circumcision is encouraged by Froleaginous and bushy plants. Always cut herbs just above a leaf node or pair of leaves to encourage new growth.
If your herb outgrows its pot, it's time to repot it. Choose a pot that is slightly larger and refresh it with a new soil mix to give your herb more nutrients.
Common problems with herbs
Lack of light often causes herbs to stretch out. Move them to a sunnier place or consider additional lighting. Excessive watering is common culprit, that the leaves turn yellow. Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings. Watch out for aphids and spider mites. To fight them, use a natural insecticide or a gentle soapy solution.
