Herbs are some of the most satisfying plants to grow. They smell lovely, they’re relatively easy to care for even in small plots, can be used in cooking and presented in the right way, they can look great, too. How can you get the best out of your herb garden without much space?
First, you’ll need to identify the best windowsill to accommodate your garden. Most sills are wide enough to fit several pots, so you should not have trouble finding space, even in the smallest flats. Herbs can be grown either together in large planters, or individually in tiny pots. Many people like to have their herb garden growing in a kitchen window, but the most important thing to consider is the direction it’s facing.
Most herbs need a lot of sun, so if you have a South or West facing window you can use, that will work best. Ideally, the plants should get at least 5 hours of sun a day, so starting your project in the summer will make it a lot easier at first. The key points to remember when growing herbs are light, regular watering and keeping soil well drained. This can be achieved by placing a drip tray under the pots.
To maximise space, choose more compact plants, and don’t give them too much space to grow in. Pots with about a 15cm diameter are well suited to indoor herb gardening, and the plants can still thrive with this small amount of space provided you trim them (or eat them) when they grow too large. Don’t go for anything smaller than this, or you’ll end up with weak, unproductive plants. Giving the plants more space will encourage extra growth, so if you want a lush green forest on your sill, transplant the plants into larger pots when you buy them.
Now, the fun part: deciding which herbs you want to grow. Have a think about which dishes you cook most often, and which ones you tend to find yourself rushing off to the shop to buy at the last minute! There are some obvious staples, like basil, parsley and coriander, but think about what’s in season now to start off with herbs at their peak.
In addition to those staples, which all flourish during the summer, you might want to add chives, dill, oregano, thyme and sorrel – all of which will be perfect for making delicious seasonal dishes. The more herbs, the greener your home will feel!
Once you’re garden’s ready, it should give you a good deal of pleasure, and even when you’re not cooking, you’ll enjoy the sight of lush greenery cheering up your home. If you can continue to care for the plants all year around, you’ll also eventually find you save a small fortune on supermarket herbs!
Image: Thomas Pix
