The tiny leaves of thyme add big flavor to soups, stews and marinades. Many herb plants grow quite well in containers and require only minimal care. The chalkboard labels let you keep track of which seeds are planted in each box. Its hard to replicate these conditions indoors but Ive had success by supplementing with a grow light. Keep in mind that plants and pots get heavier when watered. I get to harvest fresh herbs all winter and I don't need to start the herbs from scratch in the spring. We love that you can grow four different plants at once even if they are very different kinds. To start herb seeds, fill a container with dampened seed-starting mix to about 1 inch from the rim. This also will encourage more branching and lush growth. This versatile beauty is even suitable for use outside. If youre not sure windowsill gardening is for you, start with microgreens. Use a quality organic potting mix that's light and well-draining. Our registered dietitian, Stefani Sassos, tested the lights and noticed the plants grew faster than other indoor gardens that don't have red LEDs. If you intend to plant anything that may impact the growth of other herbs, you should put these in their own pots. Cover with a plastic wrap or dome to keep moist and promote germination. Thyme. Your email address will not be published. If farmhouse chic is the look youre after, look no further than this indoor herb garden made of hammered, galvanized steel. Pruning more than that can stress the plant and cause it to decline. Growing your own windowsill herb garden doesn't have to be difficult, and is an easy way to always have herbs on hand for your cooking! Dont put too much weight on the shelf. I dont overwater, but I do mist daily (keep a decorative hand sprayer on the windowsill as a reminder). Starting herbs from seeds is possible and rewarding, says Toby Adams, Director of the Edible Academy at the New York Botanical Garden, in Bronx, New York, but will take significantly more time to grow to the size necessary to begin harvesting. I started with an indoor herb kit my first time around, and chose one that included a small grow light. Because I use certain herbs, like basil, a lot, I have been guilty of over-harvesting from my plants. Finish filling in around the plant with potting mix, gently firming the soil. Stick a finger in the soil. Try using herbs in savory baked goods and breads to make a tasty rustic bread or biscuit. Chives, basil, lavender, parsley, mint, rosemary, and thyme are good choices. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication. Herbs like basil, parsley and chives can easily be grown from seed, but for an instant indoor garden, buy plants from your local supermarket or garden center. These recycled planters are available in green and clear. Rosemary is fairly potent, and does well when used to season meats, game, and poultry, just like thyme is. Heres how to get rid of indoor plant bugs. Check out a few tips to get you started. Glad you enjoy our recipes and gardening DIYs! According to the brand, the red light is supposed to make the photosynthesis process more efficient, resulting in better growth and healthier plants; the white lights provide plants with a spectrum of light that's optimal for growth. I usually recommend sticking with part-sun, part-shade herbs like mint, parsley and cilantro indoors., Since the goal of growing herbs indoors is to get a good harvest, Leslie suggests using grow lights to supplement natural light or to provide all light if growing away from a window. A lack of adequate light will leave you with spindly, stressed plants that have poor flavor. With most herbs, you can snip 2 to 3 inches off the tips for harvesting as needed. As long as you don't remove more then one third of the plant and give it time to recover, new shoots will quickly appear and fill back in. It's quite versatile and even makes a great side when turned into tabouleh! Indoor gardens can save you from needing to buy fresh or dried herbs at the grocery store, and they might inspire you to try a new recipe, like Lemony Garlic and Herb Pork Tenderloin. America's #1 backyard birding and gardening magazine! This upcycled indoor herb garden not only reuses wine bottles, but each comes with a self-watering cotton wick, a mesh liner and a chalkboard label. This article was updated in May 2022 to ensure all picks previously tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab were in stock. This popular planter set has nearly 2,400 reviews with over 1,800 five-star reviews. I am going to let you in on a little secret: Having a buffet of fresh herbs such as basil, oregano and parsley is the easiest way to elevate your cooking and add bright flavor to your food. It is a sun lover and offers the best harvest when given plenty of light. Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? Water immediately after planting to help the plant settle. Good Luck with your business/career etc. You'll have to ensure the chives receive plenty of sunlight and water though. At that point, remove the plastic and continue watering to keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy. When deciding on which herb garden kit to purchase, make sure that the container/pots, soils or potting medium, seeds and instructions are all included. Snip the stem with scissors at the base of the plant, and then pluck the leaves of the ends before using them. We also noted that the frequent watering cycle usually for at least 15 minutes at a time was fairly noisy. By using one or two full-spectrum LED grow lamps in the 20-to-45-watt range, you can provide adequate light for your herbs, she says. Pods must be purchased from Veritable's website to be compatible with the indoor garden, and we had one pod mold while testing, (but we have found this does occasionally happen with other herb gardens as well). Ready to start planting? When this happens, you'll start to see a white film on the outside of the pot. I like to keep two or three basil plants on my windowsill so I never run out of aromatic basil for my pasta sauces. Make sure the potting soil is moist, but not soaked. Fill each of your containers with fresh potting soil up to one inch from the rim. A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. The container should have drainage holes and a saucer to catch excess water. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home. Add a few inches of potting mix to the bottom of the container. Its one of the most popular indoor herb gardens on Amazon with more than 3,300 reviews and a 4.5-star rating. Keep the soil moist until you see the seedlings poking through. Its one of the top-rated kits on Amazon with more than 7,200 reviews and a four-star rating. Some herbs are simply easier to grow then others. Theyre easy to grow, and you can harvest many of them in as little as a week. This nine-herb garden kit is perfect for beginners who want to give their green thumb a try without making a big investment. While the top most layer of soil may be dry, the soil should be moist at least an inch under the surface.- Chef Markus. Here are some helpful tips to set up your indoor herb garden. According to Sassos, You can learn more about your plant pods on the app, but thats about it., Capacity: 3 plants Dimensions: 12" x 4.75" x 8.25". My kitchen windowsill is the most convenient spot to grow herbs because it lets me keep a close eye on soil moisture. If you grow chives outside in a garden, you can easily split the plant and re-pot a section for use in your windowsill herb garden. He recommends sourcing herbs from seedlings, which are young plants that grew from seed rather than a cutting. In general, they will need to be placed close to the plants (within roughly 18 inches) and kept on for about 10 hours per day to make up for their lack of intensity. Having trouble letting go of those gardening gloves? Never trim more than a third of a plant's foliage at one time. Many culinary herbs grow well indoors, but plant the ones you use the most. It also has an app to control the lights and water, and if you opt for the subscription, you'll receive 10 pods per month. If you are patient, and able to wait, by all means grow the basil from seed! Its one of the highest-rated and reviewed organic indoor herb garden kits on Amazon, with more than 400 five-star reviews. The stems can be saved and used in homemade chicken stocks and broths to not let anything go to waste. This also allows you to learn how the plant grows and develops, and provides the knowledge to grow basil from seed you save yourself! Basil is another easy herb to grow in your windowsill garden. The kit comes with three pots that have drainage holes and a drip tray. Moreover, note that container plants dry out more quickly than those grown in the ground. Required fields are marked *. Herb plants have varying water needs, so make sure to check what your specific herbs require. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Hi Markus It can be used like thyme in marinades, stuffing's, and dressings, as well as to season soups and roasted vegetable or potatoes. I am excited to have discovered your blog/website. Based on their experience, our experts love that this has a water level window so you never have to guess when it needs water and that it has a simple control panel. For a flavor twist, plant a pot of lemon thyme. This is a great choice for a sunny windowsill where no supplemental lighting is available, as it can produce a good harvest in less light. Some herbs, such as mint and coriander, should never be planted with other herbs since they grow quickly and tend to take over the rest of the garden. All Rights Reserved. This indoor garden kit can hold up to 12 pods at a fraction of the price of some other kits that contain the same number of pods. Depending on their mature size, you might be able to situate multiple plants in one large container. Dont put your plants directly over a heating vent. Both of these herbs prefer well draining, loose sandy soils. No plant lives forever, and many herbs are actually annual plants that will try to go to seed and then decline during their first year. While growing herbs indoors in containers or even in a windowsill gardening kit(affiliate link) is fairly low maintenance, its not no maintenance. Next, learn how to grow a vertical herb garden in a shoe organizer. Capacity: 9 plants Dimensions: 24" x 7.25" x 15.75". We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Capacity: 24 plants, also available for 12, 18, 30 and 36 plants Dimensions: 4'10" x 1'10" (for the 24-plant size). The downside? Place pots over a drip tray filled with pebbles and water to easily increase humidity, especially in winter. Your email address will not be published. Its a win - win! Thyme and rosemary are both quite hardy herbs and very well suited to growing in a windowsill garden. Plant a garden of your favorite herbs in this indoor planter and label the fruits of your labor accordingly on built-in chalkboard panels. It has room to grow as many as four herbs. Capacity: 3 plants Dimensions: 4.25" x 4" (per pot), 12.5" x 4" (tray). Choose between two seed mixtures: basil, oregano and thyme or cilantro, parsley and chives. It also has an adjustable height LED light panel, fan and a water pump that can turn on and off automatically to circulate the water. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. When we test indoor herb gardens, we assess the ease of setting the garden up and note how much space it requires. These kits make growing fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers easy. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab tested indoor herb garden kits, evaluating ease of use, features such as apps and how well the plants grow. Once a month, fortify your plants with organic fertilizer or compost. This set of three wood mini planters is just right for a small indoor garden. Harvest often, pinching back to a fresh set of leaves to stimulate new growth, and try out this basil salt recipe. This article was written and tested by Jamie Kim. ), as a garnish on summer dishes, even in stuffings and fillings for meats! Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 10 Best Dog Carriers of 2022 For the Dog On The Go, 9 Best Cooling Mattresses for Hot Sleepers, 13 Best Workout Shoes for At-Home and Gym Fitness, These Are the Most Comfortable Shoes You Can Buy, Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Next, learn how to dry and store garden herbs. Capacity: 6 plants Dimensions: 6" x 10.5" x 17.4". Tweak your approach and then try again. Our top picks include ones weve tested or those highly rated and reviewed. Sprinkle three to five seeds on top of the soil, cover them lightly, and pat down gently. It was very easy to set up as it was mostly already assembled, including the lights. For a healthy garden, water when the soil looks and feels dry. Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow both indoors in containers or out in the garden. Lets be honest. Providing enough light is the biggest challenge when growing herbs indoors, especially in winter. If you want to enjoy fresh herbs year-round but dont have the outdoor space, an indoor herb garden may be the answer: It allows you to grow a few herbs and even plants such as lettuces, vegetables, flowers and more. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Basil & Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast (Wrapped In Prosciutto). If there's another herb you love and cook with regularly, you should feel free to try planting it. While it certainly is easier then planning and taking care of a full fledged vegetable garden, it still requires a certain amount of time and dedication. For more info check theAffiliate Disclaimer. "Consider which herbs your favorite recipes call for and put together a pot or two such as basil, parsley, and thyme or rosemary, tarragon, and chives." The general rule is the more you pick, the more you get. Part of the onion family chives are best used when fresh which makes them ideal to keep indoors, especially throughout the winter months. Sunshine is most plants best friend, so pick a window with a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight a day for best results. Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details. Even in the summer months an indoor herb garden can be beneficial if you like to cook delicious food using fresh ingredients! Luckily these are no longer very expensive and small LED style lights(affiliate link) are available which can be mounted under a hanging kitchen cabinet or in window. Rotating the plant every day will also encourage the plant to grow evenly on all sides. Herbs need enough water to keep their roots adequately moist, but not so much that they rot. This also makes a great housewarming gift! In autumn and winter, add a grow light. You also will need to adjust your fertilizer schedule with the seasons. Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. Spider mites, whiteflies, fungus gnats and aphids can be a problem, especially if herbs are stressed and not getting enough light or water, Leslie says. They come with built-in drainage allowing for a trickle-down self-watering design. Generally, you'll need to start the seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost. This coated metal, farmhouse-inspired indoor herb garden comes in black, coral, blue, teal, turquoise and white. Growing Epazote in Your Herb Garden or in Containers, Properly Fertilize Your Indoor Herbs and Help Them Thrive, Start Seeds Indoors for Head Start on the Gardening Season, Creeping Thyme: Plant Care & Growing Guide, Learn 5 Tips for How to Grow Beautiful Basil in Pots, What You Need to Know About Growing Roma Tomatoes, 'Black Knight' Delphinium: Plant Care & Growing Guide, How to Grow Orange Jasmine in Your Home Garden. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. For this story she worked with the following Good Housekeeping Institute experts, who each tested at least two indoor herb gardens in their homes. While most indoor gardens dont require any pesticides, if you are looking for a completely organic indoor herb garden you may want to consider starting with organic seeds. Lack of sun is the most common problem in windowsill herb gardens. What you decide to grow in your windowsill herb garden is ultimately up to you, but if you can manage to plant and care for a few herbs you like and know you'll use, taking care of them won't seem like a lot of work. Certain typesmint, thyme and rosemarymay take months to size up when grown from seed, so starting with good-sized specimens means you get to start enjoying herbs right away. Providing adequate sunlight and enough space are key. Transfer the plants to a new container, gently teasing, or loosening, the roots so they flare out; otherwise, the roots stand a chance of strangling themselves. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. A Guide to Growing Kitchen Windowsill Herbs. If possible pick a pot or container at least 6 inches deep. The app will also help you keep plants in top shape by letting you know if you need to trim the plants or roots, discard dead leaves, refill the water tank and more. Be sure to read the tag that comes with each plant-it'll say how many hours of sun it needs to thrive. The lamp also has a built-in timer and easy-to-install arm extensions so the lights can grow with your plants. The lights and water reservoir with pump are connected to timers so theres no need to worry about keeping track, though we did find set-up requires a few more steps than others we tried. Its root system needs space to grow and if it doesn't have it, it won't be able to support the plant. Learn more about our The spicy-sweet flavor and aroma of basil have made it a top kitchen herb. "Many herbs are relatively compact and can be combined into one pot,"says Adams. The recipes and tutorials are wonderful. A matching tray with a handle on each side offers an unexpectedly rustic touch to the garden. If its moist, dont water. Thyme plant: Maria Tatic/Getty Images; thyme pot: Will Day/Shutterstock, grow a vertical herb garden in a shoe organizer, 6 products that make watering plants easy, Container Ideas: Miniature Succulent Fairy Garden, Top 10 Year Round Flowers and Perennial Plants, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents. The up side to growing a windowsill herb garden is that they do well pretty much year-round. While a windowsill in the kitchen is most convenient for its proximity to meal prep, any window in your home will work. ensure your herbs receive enough light, either natural or artificial. Allow the plants some time to acclimate to their new home. Dont fret if your first plant dies a quick death. Thin the seeds to one to two plants per container, and provide ample sunlight. You don't need a backyard to grow lush basil, parsley, and other tasty herbs. This can be used outdoors or indoors with the recommended Glow Rings (sold separately) that attach to the Farmstand. review process. Fresh thyme is wonderful when used as a seasoning for red meat, and poultry. Fragrant herbs like basil add ambiance to any meal. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It can carry pests and diseases. It comes with your choice of three herb seeds and nutrient enriched expandable soil pellets. We also included additional information about each product and added a new product pick, Veritable, to the list. Once the location and light issue have been dealt with you'll need pots or containers suitable for growing herbs indoors. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Parsley is best used fresh or dried as a seasoning or garnish for poultry, fish and shellfish, and meats. While temperature needs vary from one plant to the next, youll want to try to keep in the 70-75 range. Parsley prefers rich, good quality potting soil when grown in containers, and is easiest to start from seed or bought at a nursery. The lights can then be raised gradually until you are ready to transplant. The seeds will sprout within a few days. How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly. Some of the links in this post lead to affiliate sites through which Earth, Food, and Fire may earn a small commission should you make a purchase. Its also cost-effective because most herb plants are readily available and inexpensiveplus they produce new growth for months. We also evaluate the overall experience, the variety of pods available and how well the plants grow. I check the moisture by sticking my finger in the soil and making sure there is moisture at least one inch down. You can sometimes get away with growing easy herbs indoors in spring and summer months without grow lights if you are lucky enough to have a big, unobstructed south-facing window, says Leslie F. Halleck, author of Gardening Under Lights, Plant Parenting, and Tiny Plants (to be released March 2021), noting that even a bright windowsill may not provide enough light for sun lovers like oregano and basil. Dont have a sunny window? This antique copper trio is the perfect size for a windowsill herb garden. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. If you keep the light raised too high over young seedlings, it will cause them to grow leggy. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles. The plants are sent as seedlings already growing and within two weeks of planting, our tester could harvest enough lettuce to make salads for five people with the 24-plant farmstand. If you plan to start your kitchen herb garden from seeds, make sure to read your seed packets carefully for detailed planting instructions. Water thoroughly and immediately. Grow lights can be used if you don't have a sunny window. Basil. If you want one container to hold a few different plants, make sure they all have the same sun, temperature, and water needs. Capacity: 12 plants Dimensions: 10.2" x 13.8" x 11.3". We're Putting Up Walls AgainIs the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out? That'll cause root damage. Capacity: 4 plants Dimensions: 13.0" x 7.3" x 15.0". If it gets cool, you might have to rethink the placement.