Garden Tips & Resources

The Window Sill Herb Garden

Having your own window sill herb garden can add color and fragrance to any home. There can be many reasons why someone might prefer to grow their herb garden by their window rather than in the ground.  A big reason is comfort. With a garden on your windowsill, you won’t have to deal with the elements of the changing seasons and will have fresh herbs all year long.

While you can grow almost any type of herbal plant in a windowsill herb garden, there are some that are more suited to this method than others. Oregano is a great choice because it’s not too bushy and it has that delicious aroma and taste. Basil, as well as rosemary, are two additiional herbs which will do wonderfully in your windowsill herb garden. Some herbs will repel fungus, such as the rosemary, and others simply have a wonderful aroma that can fill your home any time of the year.

These herbal plants will invariably do best on windowsills that face south or southeast, since, for northern hemisphere locations, that is the direction of greatest sunlight. Most plants prefer maximum sunlight for growth and health and herbal plants are no different. Herbal plants prefer at least five hours of sunlight per day. And don’t forget to keep your herbs out of cold drafts, especially in the winter.

While you can certainly start your herb garden from seedlings, purchasing the proper containers that are about 6 to 12 inches deep in which to plant them and watch them grow,  is a good way to start.And don’t forget herb garden kits! They come complete, having everything you need: the containers, plants in the form of seedlings (frequently) and complete instructions on how to nurture and grow them.

But plants are living things and can’t just be put on auto-grow. You need to know about them, such as their gestation periods, when to cut back and prune, harvest and dry, store and use. Some plants will also overtake others if you don’t tend to them and prune them back on a regular basis. Since wanting the windowsill herb garden to look as good as it can is one of your objectives (I assume), you can be sure it will need your presence mentally as well as physically.

Water with care! You must always keep a proper balance between wet and dry, not flooding and not parching. They don’t like soggy roots so don’t let the soil stay damp constantly If your new kit is already in flower, go slowly. Don’t jump in and cut them back right away. Give them time to acclimatize to their new environment. Also, if you live in a location, such as an apartment complex in a city, and don’t have access to good sunlight in any window, you can purchase artificial light. Generally, your plants will thrive under this kind of light, but it’s always good to check with the nursery or kit maker to be sure.

A window sill herb garden is a great way to spend your free time and if you’re an avid cook, you understand that there is no substitute for having fresh spices and herbs at your disposal. Growing your own herb garden and having it right there where you can see and smell it’s wonders is a great thing, and it will reward you in many ways adding life and beauty to you and to your home.

Related posts:

1. Window Herb Garden Ideas
2. Windowsill Herb Gardens
3. Planting A Themed Herb Garden
4. Herb gardening – Vital Knowledge about Your Herb Gardening to Get the Most Beautiful Herb Garden
5. All Sorts Herb Garden