Create an Inviting Room with a Windowsill Herb Garden

by Sarah Phillips
HerbGardeningCentral.com

Any room looks better once you have planted a windowsill herb garden. While herbs are attractive plants they are extremely useful, especially in the kitchen. Any room will benefit from a garden assuming you use right container, soil, and have proper lighting

Growing herbs today has never been easier, especially with the variety, and quality of products being sold in nurseries and online. Seriously, why wait; you can enjoy your garden that much sooner if you will just get started, now.

Choosing your windowsill herb garden location is the first decision in your gardening journey. The windowsill that is south, or west, facing provides maximum natural light coming indoors.

It is recommended that most herbs receive six to eight hours of direct sun. This should be easily accomplished in your windowsill. However, if this isn't possible then supplement the light using a lamp, preferably a "grow lamp" from online or your garden center.

Your container choice is most important in a windowsill garden. While some like to have individual pots, sometimes of various sizes, my thought is that gives a somewhat cluttered look.

Perhaps the best choice is a long rectangular container, called a potting tray, which can hold many different herbs at once. For best results choose one made from clay which allows oxygen to infuse the soil.

Next is your soil mixture, which should be nutrient deficient, which is preferred by herbs. Because of this, do not use straight potting soil but mix it with clean sand. The sand helps to retain moisture without remaining too wet. Since herbs prefer slightly alkaline soil add in about one to two tablespoons of lime to this mix.

Before adding your soil mixture to the potting tray, begin with a one inch layer of pebbles, or aquarium gravel. This will soil to drain to avoid getting soggy.

It may seem like a good idea to give your herbs a drink of fresh rainwater by placing them outside during a downpour. This is usually a bad idea and can quickly create a soggy mess.

A supplement to root watering that is quite effective is misting (or lightly spraying water) onto the leaves and stems. Herbs can take in quite a bit of water in this way.

To ensure that over watering is not occurring check the soil by lightly pressing it about an inch from your plant. The soil should feel moist but not wet. If a puddle forms around your fingertip the plant is over watered.

Sprinkle the seed onto the top of your soil mixture and press each into the soil, but not too deeply. Push the seed about one-half inch into the soil to allow for proper germination and root development.

Sarah Phillips is an herb gardening enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this wonderful hobby.

To discover more about creating a windowsill herb garden click here.

Article submitted Wednesday, January 13, 2010 & read 75 times.

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