I was kind of puzzled when I first read the title of an article I read about wintering herbs. The first thing that went through my head was - why would I only winter my herbs? Meaning, why would I only bring in my herbs during the winter? We should all have a container in one or more windows of our homes / condos / apartments / etc... that holds fresh herbs.
While outside in the fresh air is always preferred - having them inside provides several benefits - most all of your herbs are very fragrant and we just learned how beneficial smells are to our well being. In addition, all plants provide a "cleansing" to our air. Our homes tend to be a more harmful environment than a smoggy city street, if we are not opening our windows regularly to sweep out the bad air and bring in the good air. Our homes are filled with chemicals - from cleaning products, from carpet and furniture, from paint, from sickness, etc...
In February I posted to the blog about the health benefits of Herbs - take a look and decide which herbs you want to bring inside. Standing planter boxes will cost you about $75.00 US, unless you are or have a carpenter available to create one for you. Some of these you can put in separate pots, some are a single trough that you integrate all your plants together. Make sure you use some good organic soil for your herbs a pH reading between 6.5 and 7.0 works best.
In preparing your planter for use indoors, you will need a rubber coated box to control your water flow (and ensure that it doesn't leak all over your floor), and it is very important that you have good drainage - put lots of pebbles / rocks in the bottom of your pot before adding your soil so that the herbs do not sit in heavily watered soil.
Once your box is prepared, you will need to decide if you can house all your herbs together, or if you will need to have smaller separate pots. Some herbs like full sunlight, some like partial sun, some like lots of water, some don't... like everything else. :)
If you are bringing in herbs from outdoors, this next option is a moot point. Will you be starting plants from seeds, layers, cuts, or seedlings? All good choices. If you are starting from seeds, remember you will not have fresh herbs for some time. But as you grow your herbs, you will be able to start cuts and layers so that you are perpetually growing your beds.
Additional Reading - this has herb descriptions along with good info on planting: http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/herbs.html
More Reading - this has lots of good help for indoor plantings: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/edibles/herbs
More Reading - indoor herb gardens: http://www.natural-health-and-healing.com/indoor-herb-gardening.html
More Reading - wintering your herbs: http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/Wintering-Herbs-Indoors-06.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=11.1.11+HBC+eNews&utm_campaign=HBC_ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email
I love the smell of herbs... time to get them inside (northern hemisphere) and enjoy the scents of your favorite herbs! Blessings... E
While outside in the fresh air is always preferred - having them inside provides several benefits - most all of your herbs are very fragrant and we just learned how beneficial smells are to our well being. In addition, all plants provide a "cleansing" to our air. Our homes tend to be a more harmful environment than a smoggy city street, if we are not opening our windows regularly to sweep out the bad air and bring in the good air. Our homes are filled with chemicals - from cleaning products, from carpet and furniture, from paint, from sickness, etc...
In February I posted to the blog about the health benefits of Herbs - take a look and decide which herbs you want to bring inside. Standing planter boxes will cost you about $75.00 US, unless you are or have a carpenter available to create one for you. Some of these you can put in separate pots, some are a single trough that you integrate all your plants together. Make sure you use some good organic soil for your herbs a pH reading between 6.5 and 7.0 works best.
In preparing your planter for use indoors, you will need a rubber coated box to control your water flow (and ensure that it doesn't leak all over your floor), and it is very important that you have good drainage - put lots of pebbles / rocks in the bottom of your pot before adding your soil so that the herbs do not sit in heavily watered soil.
Once your box is prepared, you will need to decide if you can house all your herbs together, or if you will need to have smaller separate pots. Some herbs like full sunlight, some like partial sun, some like lots of water, some don't... like everything else. :)
If you are bringing in herbs from outdoors, this next option is a moot point. Will you be starting plants from seeds, layers, cuts, or seedlings? All good choices. If you are starting from seeds, remember you will not have fresh herbs for some time. But as you grow your herbs, you will be able to start cuts and layers so that you are perpetually growing your beds.
Additional Reading - this has herb descriptions along with good info on planting: http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/herbs.html
More Reading - this has lots of good help for indoor plantings: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/edibles/herbs
More Reading - indoor herb gardens: http://www.natural-health-and-healing.com/indoor-herb-gardening.html
More Reading - wintering your herbs: http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/Wintering-Herbs-Indoors-06.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=11.1.11+HBC+eNews&utm_campaign=HBC_ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email
I love the smell of herbs... time to get them inside (northern hemisphere) and enjoy the scents of your favorite herbs! Blessings... E
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