Take Advantage Of A Windowsill Herb Garden For Great Rewards

A windowsill herb garden can be very rewarding as most herbs of your choice could be grown there. Herb plants can be enjoyed either as culinary herbs, medicinal remedies, or for their sheer decorative and sensual aspects.

To start a windowsill herb garden you only need small containers, preferably clay pots, potting soil, and seeds or seedlings. These components can be bought separately or as part of a herb garden kit. You simply need to fill the containers with potting soil, plant the seeds, or seedlings, of your choice, according to the directions on the packets or inserts. You may mix and match different types of herbs together or grow them individually each in its own pot.

The herbs that  are especially suitable for windowsill herb gardening, because of their size, delicious flavors and ease of growing, include the following:

• Oregano, which is best placed in a south-facing window.

• Rosemary, also likes south-facing light exposure, and is good to have around for its fungus repellent nature .

• Basil, different varieties. Basil likes a lot of sun and warm temperatures.

• Thyme, different varieties. Thyme also prefers lots of sun but will grow well enough in less sunny spots.

• Parsley is another sun loving herb, but will grow slower in other spots.

• Sage also grows well indoors when put on a sunny south-facing window sill.

• Mint, needs lots of light, warmth and watering, but not to the point of over watering.

• If you want to explore further you could also grow Aloe Vera in your windowsill herb garden.

Most herbs like exposure to sunlight but if the room or windowsill has bright light it might prove sufficient. Watch the plants and move them around if they are not flourishing. Serious indoor gardeners use special artificial lighting in case of inadequate light, which is kept on for most part of the day.

Use good potting soil to plant your herb seedlings or plants in. The soil does not need to be very rich but drainage is the key to healthy herb plants, so make sure that the soil has the ability to drain off too much water to avoid plant diseases like root rot.

As to watering of your windowsill herb garden, you will have to balance your particular weather conditions, by playing with the water, temperature and light ratios. Generally most herb plants will do well when watered around once a week or when the soil around the plant is dry to the touch. Of course, during extreme hot temperatures you will have to water them more often.

Organic fertilizers are preferred over commercial ones as the latter will affect the taste and flavor of herbs – not to mention that they are unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly.

With regular pruning, harvesting and care your windowsill herb garden will flourish and be worth all the care you have given them. Your potted herb plants can be enjoyed at home as a fresh table centerpiece decoration or given away as a much appreciated and useful gift.