How to grow herbs in small spaces - Gardening Online Magazine

Do you want to grow herbs in your living space? If so, you have come to the right place!

In this article, I will tell you all about how to grow herbs in small spaces. Whether it is for a more eco-friendly lifestyle or just because you enjoy fresh flavors year-round, growing herbs in small spaces is an excellent idea! With these tips and tricks from my experience as a gardener who lives inside most of the time, I hope that anyone can start their own herb garden no matter where they live. Now let’s get started.

Which herbs are the easiest to grow indoors?

The easiest herbs to grow indoors include basil, parsley, chives, and cilantro.

All three of these herbs are very simple to grow in small pots. Since these herbs need 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, they are perfect for your windowsill garden.

Before growing your own herbs, make sure you can keep them alive. Find a sunny spot in your home and water regularly—a plant with no sunlight will not live very long. If you are new to gardening or don’t feel like investing much time into it (the houseplant that requires “no effort” doesn’t exist) but as long as you have soil and sunlight, this should be easy!

Basil

Most people start their basil plants from seeds or by rooting cuttings, but you can also purchase seedlings at the store. Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow because it needs a warm temperature and lots of sunlight. Plant your basil in well-draining soil and use a pot that is only an inch larger than the plant, this will prevent root rot since basil doesn’t like wet feet. Water frequently, but don’t overwater since moist soil will cause the leaves to turn yellow instead of green Cut off dead foliage often to encourage growth. Basil can be harvested when it is young, or when the flowers start to appear.

Parsley

Parsley will grow in almost any type of soil and requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. The leaves are soft and taste best before the plant flowers, so you should cut off the flower heads often until the plant reaches its desired size. Place your parsley plants about 4 inches apart in a pot no larger than 10 inches in diameter (to prevent root rot). Use well-draining soil with slow-release fertilizer to prevent yellowing leaves. Harvest your parsley by cutting the stems at ground level when they’re 6-8 inches high, then remove any small leaves that may fall below that point for added convenience.

Chives

Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow. They can be grown either indoors or outdoors, but they are usually more common in people’s yards than on patios. Chive seeds should germinate within 10 days, so if you start them early enough you could have fresh chives before summer! Chives have shallow roots and prefer well-draining soil with a lot of organic matter. Water frequently until your chive plants are established (usually about 4 weeks). Harvest when the plant is dark green and there is no flower forming at the tips of stalks; typically, this occurs during spring and fall months.

Cilantro (coriander)

Cilantro regrows after cutting several times. It is best to cut the top of the plant, then let it regrow for a few days before cutting it again. The more you cut the same cilantro plant, the more it will regrow, but this can cause your cilantro leaves to feel more coarse and bitter. You can also try freezing or drying your extra cilantro stems so you don’t have to throw them away every time they start to brown!

How do I harvest my fresh herbs?

To harvest your fresh herbs, give them a trim of about an inch of new growth. Start with the hardier herbs, like thyme or chives that are on the outer edge of the bed, then move into parsley and basil on the backside. To finish, harvest any leaves that are touching the ground on your tips.

How do I pickle my fresh herbs?

Pickling your fresh herbs is a great way to have them throughout the year. To start, fill your jar or container with your selection of fresh herbs. We recommend trying dill, chives, basil, parsley, oregano, cilantro/coriander / Chinese Parsley, thyme, rosemary, and tarragon. Fill the container with oil (at least 4 inches above the contents) that fits into one of two categories: olive oil or garlic-infused oil. If you are following a vegan diet then use sesame seed oil instead of garlic-infused oils.

Garlic-Infused Oil Recipe:

Take 1 head of unpeeled garlic cloves and place them in a jar. Fill the jar with oil, leaving 1 inch at the top. Cover tightly and store in a cool dry place for six weeks before using. Strain out the garlic before use.

Olive Oil Recipe:

Heat 2 cups of olive oil to 250 °F / 120 °C fan assisted oven or 290°F/145°C conventional oven). Place 3 sprigs of thyme, 16 sage leaves, 8 black peppercorns, 4 bay leaves, 3 allspice berries, and 3 small dried chilies (optional) into each jar. Pour the hot oil over to fill about 1″ from top of the jar lid. Seal immediately – then shake to combine ingredients until oil darkens. Store in a cool, dark place for 6 – 8 weeks before using (if you can wait that long).

How do I freeze my fresh herbs?

How to Freeze Your Fresh Herbs: First, harvest your fresh herbs by cutting them into small pieces and discarding any brown or wilted leaves. Next, spread into a single layer onto a baking sheet and let them completely dry out (you can use the oven at its lowest setting with the door propped open for this step). Once they are dry, put them into an airtight container or plastic bag.

Growing herbs indoors is a great way to keep your kitchen stocked with fresh ingredients. Though many people think that it’s difficult, we hope that this article has shown you just how easy it can be! Which of these techniques will you try first? If anything seems unclear or if you need help applying any of the tips and tricks mentioned in this blog post, let us know in the comments below.

How to Grow Herbs in Small Spaces