Chicken and vegetable salad with fresh herbsIf you are geared towards a healthier lifestyle, then having an ample supply of fresh herbs to add to your diet can be the difference between eating a nutritious meal that has both taste and benefit, or a concoction that fails to support your new way of life. Having the right ingredients is not always as easy as dropping by your local farmers market to pick up a fresh batch of parsley, and some people prefer to grow their own herbs to ensure top quality, chemical free growth and proper care of their dietary needs. So how do you create a wonderful indoor herb garden for year around use? This article focuses in on some of the best ways to grow your favorite herbs whether or not you have a natural green thumb. Many factors are to be considered when planning your first indoor herb garden ranging from where you plant, to how you water, what temperature to keep your home and the top choices for best herbs to grow indoors.

Location

Green Herbs on a Window SillOne of the biggest challenges of cultivating a successful harvest of indoor herbs is knowing where to place your garden. Most indoor herbs prefer an area that offers a great deal of natural light. Combined with a location that gets consistent sun throughout the day, you want to find a spot that caters to both factors to give your garden the love and support it needs to naturally thrive.

Proper Drainage

Watering the kitchen herbs - Young woman pouring fresh water intAnother big problem that people face when trying their hand at an indoor herb garden is finding the right spot to allow for proper drainage. Plants are naturally use to living in the wild, where the earth allows for natural drainage, giving the plants the freedom to absorb the right amount of water without dealing with excess. Plants placed on a windowsill are a great option when it comes to natural drainage. Make sure you are using a saucer under you plant to avoid water damage to your actual woodwork, while letting the sun naturally evaporate any excess water that drains.

Temperature

Fortunately, most herbs prefer the natural indoor temperature of most homes, and while each plant may vary slightly, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature is key to growing a productive and healthy harvest. On average you want to keep the temperature between 65 and 70 degrees, so the general rule of thumb is that if you are comfortable, then they are happy.

Best Indoor Herbs

Finding the best indoor herbs to start out with is another important factor when it comes to planting a successful herb garden. And while you develop your green thumb, here are some of the heartier plants that tend to do well inside. Keep in mind that this list does not include all the best types of indoor herbs, but does include some of the more common herbs and spices we love to use and will provide you with a starter kit to begin your next indoor herb garden adventure.

  • Herb collage includes images of parsley, chives, dill, lemon balChives
  • Lemon Balm
  • Marjoram
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Thyme

Having a great indoor herb garden is not only convenient for daily cooking, but also provides a great way to add a bit of color, texture and interest to your home. If you enjoy watching something take root, grow and be prosperous then we encourage you to stop by your local market and pick out some of the top herbs for indoor growing. Find a well light area in your home, plant your favorites and enjoy.

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