Indoor Herb Gardens Buying Guide

Contents [Hide] 1 What You'll Need 2 Sample Herb Gardens 3 Related Guides 4 External Links

Living in a temperate climate has its advantages, sure: the symphony of autumn leaves, the romance of newly-fallen snow, the moment you can actually smell spring in the air... But when it comes to a growing season, we're certainly at a disadvantage. Fresh fruits and vegetables during the colder months are shipped in from warmer countries, and that can definitely get expensive. However, to have fresh herbs year round is quite a different story! Provided you have adequate sunshine in your home, many plants will easily flourish in an indoor environment, and you (and your cooking!) will reap the rewards for months to come. This guide provides the basic information you'll need to know to start and maintain your herb plants, and it also has suggestions for some charming theme gardens. Let's get started, shall we?

What You'll Need

Though an herb garden starts out much like every other garden--with planters, potting soil and seeds--because the winter is undeniably colder and dryer than summer months, you will need to approximate balmy conditions in order to encourage growth.  Read on to find out more.

Pots  and Planters  First of all, your plant needs a place to live. Terracotta,  wood,  or ceramic  planters will all do, and will integrate nicely with your décor.	Potting Soil  It is recommended to mix two parts potting soil  and one part coarse sand.  There should also be an inch of gravel  at the bottom to ensure adequate drainage. And don't forget about fertilizer!  If you are cultivating a hydroponic (or aeroponic, such as the AeroGarden ) garden, your set-up will obviously be quite different. Follow the directions or consult our External Links for more information.	Seeds  Figuring out what to plant will be the most difficult part of this process. Beginners will do well with winter savory,  rosemary,  sage,  sweet basil,  dill,  mint,  sweet marjoram,  tarragon,  thyme,  chives,  and parsley,  while more advanced gardeners might want to check out our recommendations below.	Grow Light   You should select a south- or west-facing window in order to maximize sun exposure, but a grow light  is very useful as a supplement.	Fan  A small, oscillating fan  will help air flow and thus distribute air particles and humidity.

Sample Herb Gardens

• Culinary: oregano,  basil,  thyme,  parsley,  garlic chives,  dill,  mint,  sweet marjoram,  rosemary,  sage 
• Tea: chamomile,  peppermint,  lavender,  lemon verbena,  coriander,  violet,  stevia,  rose hips,  fennel,  bergamot,  hibiscus,  lemon balm,  sage,  jasmine,  anise 
• Medicinal: yarrow,  feverfew,  St. John's wort,  plume poppy,  milk thistle,  pale coneflower,  purple coneflower,  angelica,  sweet basil,  calendula,  catnip seeds,  chamomile,  coriander,  horehound,  hyssop,  summer savory,  valerian 
• Salad Herbs: arugula,  chervil,  chives,  dill,  dwarf basil,  red basil,  flat-leaf parsley,  mustard,  nasturtiums,  sorrel,  summer savory,  tarragon,  rocket,  garlic chives,  salad burnet 
• Salt Substitute Herbs: basil,  bay leaves,  dill,  parsley,  rosemary,  sage,  savory,  thyme,  tarragon 
• Dessert Herbs: anise,  caraway,  lemon balm,  lemon verbena,  nasturtiums,  orange mint,  pineapple mint,  spearmint,  scented geraniums,  violets 

Related Guides

Gardening Tips	Herb Seeds	Outdoor and Gardens	Theme Gardens	Vegetable Seeds

External Links

• BHG.com: Interesting herbal planter ideas.
• WVU.edu: A very comprehensive guide to indoor herb gardens.
• About.com: Tips on growing an indoor herb garden.
• PlantCare.com: More tips for gardeners.
• Wynia.org: Information on setting up a hydroponic herb garden.