Have you always dreamed of being able to cut fresh herbs from your very own garden? If so, why not turn that dream into a reality? You don't even need to have a dedicated outdoor space for gardening; with a small planter box and some space on (or near) a sunny windowsill, you can grow your favorite herbs in the comfort of your own home.
Choosing the Right Spot
Start by selecting the right windowsill in which to grow your herbs. A sill or table near a window that receives plenty of sunshine is ideal. About six hours of sun per day is recommended for an indoor herb garden, so look for a south- or southwest-facing window to set up shop.
Selecting Your Herbs
Next, it's time to choose your herbs and a container in which to grow them. The size of the planter you will need will depend on how many herbs you plan on growing at once. Regardless, however, you'll want to select a container that is at least six inches deep; this will allow roots to form and spread.
Once you have your container(s), you can purchase either herb seeds or herb plants that have already been started. Some common herbs you might add to your own windowsill garden include:
- basil
- cilantro
- oregano
- chives
- thyme
Tips for a Thriving Garden
One of the easiest things you can do to set your garden up for success is to purchase quality potting mix. Ideally, you'll want to purchase a mix that is light and that will provide excellent water drainage. And speaking of drainage—make sure your containers have drainage holes and that you have a saucer or other type of container to collect water underneath as it drains.
To ensure that your herbs grow straight, it's also a good idea to rotate your containers daily. When it comes to watering, be careful not to overdo it. If you poke your finger about an inch into the soil and it feels dry, then it's time to give your herb plants a splash of water.
Growing your own indoor herbs can be a great way to spruce up your cooking while also exercising your green thumb. Plus, you don't need to have a lot of extensive gardening experience or dedicated gardening space to successfully grow your own herbs indoors!
About the Author
Carolyn Andrews
Carolyn Andrews has over 30 years licensed Brokerage experience in both California and Colorado. Born in England, Carolyn moved to California in 1980, then relocated to Denver, Colorado in 1991. Carolyn has also received recognition for Top Sales at RE/MAX Alliance Aurora in 2007-2008 and is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Chairman’s Club, as well as a recipient of the ReMax Lifetime Achievement Award. Carolyn has sold over 2000 homes personally in her career. Carolyn has been actively involved in many aspects of the Real Estate business including investment property, luxury homes, mountain resort property, skiin/ski out, REO/default management, loss mitigation, valuations, and disposition. She has been a speaker and panelist at several conferences and has been consulted on many occasions by various organizations in the REO/financial industries for her expertise and served on many boards. She has attended numerous ongoing classes to stay abreast of changes in the ever-evolving Real Estate industry. She is the prior State Director for Colorado for VAREP(Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals). She is a member of 3 boards of Realtors including Metro Denver, Colorado Springs and Summit County mountain areas. She heads up The Andrews Group and is or has been an active member of NAR, CAR,REOMAC, CIPS, CRS, AREAA, NAPW, NAHREP, and is an original member of the ELITEReal Estate network. She was ranked #1 for most homes sold in Denver 2007 by Denver Board of Realtors, #2 for 2008, and #2 for 2009, #5 in 2010 and #4 in 2011 and has been consistently in the top 10 ever since. Carolyn Andrews has been a top rated Endorsed Local Provider for the Dave Ramsey Organization and also a Top Producing agent for 2018 for the Homelight Company.
