Brining your Herbs Indoors

Bringing your Herbs Indoors

-By the Mad Potter

 Spring, summer, fall have passed and the herb garden has seasoned you're  summer dishes well. Every one stares at the pots on the patio wishing I could keep them all year. here are a few tips on how to do that.

  To grow well indoors, herbs need as much natural light as possible. Place them in a sunny spot near a window where they’ll get at least 4 hours of sun daily. Windows that face south or southwest are your best shot at sun, though east- or west-facing windows also will do. North-facing windows are not bright enough.

   The best way to ruin a tabletop or windowsill is to let a potted plant drain on it. The best way to ruin most herbs is to let them sit in water so the roots will rot. Be sure to use a saucer, liner, or drain pan under the pot to catch water and protect your surface. Do not use Terra Cotta saucers they will drain right through.

    Most folks want Basil indoors.Basil is trickier.  If you have plenty of sun and warmth indoors, basil should thrive, but don’t keep it on a cool windowsill. Basil leaves will droop and fade after a short time in cool air. It prefers indoor temperatures in the 70s day and night.
   Remember that the air next to a window will be cooler in winter (or hotter in summer) than your average indoor temperature, so adjust your plants accordingly. Dry air, whether from air conditioning or heating, is hard on most herbs, so if you can give them a weekly shower in the sink, they will be happier.

   Rosemary does not like wet feet I let mine get close to dry before watering again.

Here are a few herbs that do well indoors

Chives
Lemon Balm
Marjoram
Mint (Chocolate Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint, or Sweet Mint)
Oregano (Greek Oregano, Italian Oregano, or Hot & Spicy Oregano)
Parsley (Flat Italian Parsley or Curled Parsley)
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme (German Thyme or Lemon Thyme)