Herb gardens are seen as a perfect anecdote for boredom during these uncertain times. Cultivating a miniature herb garden in your home can be an exciting endeavour for many. Express.co.uk has compiled a guide for the best herbs to grow in your home and how to grow them effectively.
Where can you grow herbs in your home?
As a general rule, you should try to place your herbs in a spot which gets at least six hours of sun each day.
You can test the strength of the sun by periodically switching off all lights on a sunny or partly sunny day to test how much natural sunlight reaches any room.
Some herbs such as mint and thyme require less light and can grow well in east or west-facing gardens.
You can also guarantee your indoor herbs are getting enough light by using a grow light which mimics direct sunlight.
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Herbs also require water and good drainage.
The best way to avoid ruining a tabletop or your windowsill is to use a saucer, liner or drain pan underneath your pot to catch water and protect your surface.
Clay pots can help with drainage, but they can also dry out quickly.
If you live in a dry climate, you should try to use plastic containers to avoid drying out the plan.
You should also try to use a premium potting mix for your indoor herbs, making sure to include drainage holes.
The best herbs to grow indoors
Basil
You should begin growing basil fro seed by placing them in pots in a south-facing window.
Basil plants like a lot of sun and warmth.
Bay laurel
Bay laurel is a perennial from the Mediterranean and is an essential ingredient for soups and stews.
You should place the plant in a pot in an east or west-facing window and be sure not to overcrowd the pot.
Bay leaves need a lot of air circulation to remain healthy.
Chervil
Chervil seeds should be planted in the late summer.
The plan is an essential ingredient in Béarnaise sauce and pairs well with fish, potatoes, steamed carrots and eggs.
This herb thrives in low light but needs a temperature between 18C to 21C (65F to 70F).
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Chives
Chives are spiky leaves which can add mild spice to eggs, soups and salads.
At the end of the growing season, you should get a clump of chives from your garden or elsewhere and replant it in a pot.
You should leave the pot outside until the leaves die back.
In early winter you should move the pot to the coolest space in your home for a few days and then place it in your brightest window.
Oregano
Oregano is a member of the mint family and the dried leaves are more pungent than fresh.
To grow oregano as you would another mint plant, starting with a tip that has been cut from an outdoor oregano plant.
Once you have planted that tip into a pot, you should place it in a south-facing window.
Parsley
You should grow parsley in a deep pot with rich, organic potting soil and provide strong light.
You can grow parsley from seeds to use a clump from your garden at the end of the season.
Parsley likes to be in full sun, but will also grow slowly in an east or west-facing window.
Rosemary
Rosemary can tolerate hot, sunny and dry locations in the summer months, but prefers to be in cooler temperatures during the winter.
Throughout the year, however, rosemary likes to have a lot of light.
To grow rosemary you should begin with a cutting of the plan and keep it in moist soilless mix until it roots, placing it in a south-facing window.
Sage
Sage can be grown from a tip that was cut from an outdoor plant and will tolerate dry, indoor air well.
The sage plant needs strong sunlight from a south-facing window.
Tarragon
Tarragon is dominant in late fall or early winter.
You should pot a mature tarragon plant from your garden and leave it outside until the leaves die back.
Next, bring the plant to your coolest indoor space for a few days and then pace it in a south-facing window for as much sun as possible.
You should be sure to feed tarragon well with a liquid fertiliser.
Thyme
Thyme should be potted in a fast-draining soil mix and place it in a warm, sunny window.
You should water when the surface of the soil is dry, but not allow the plant to wilt.
To plant thyme indoors by either rooting a soft tip that was cut from an outdoor plant or digging up and repotting the entire plant.
Thyme likes full sunshine, but will also grow in an east or west-facing window.
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