Not much grows outside during the Southern Maryland winter, but it’s still possible to have access to your go-to herbs by planting an herb garden in your kitchen. Even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, with a bit of sunlight and dedication, you can enjoy fresh herbs any time of the year. Here are some ideas to help:

Pick a Sunny Spot

For the most part, your herbs are going to want a lot of sun, at least four hours of direct sunlight a day. Opt for a window that gets a good amount of light, even if it’s not right next to your kitchen counter. You’ll want to ensure that the plants aren’t overcrowding each other so that each one has enough sunlight to thrive.

Determine How Much Space You Need

If you’re planning for just a couple of small pots, you may be able to simply use your windowsill to house your herbs. If you’re hoping to expand a bit, investigate your setup options in advance.    Adding some additional shelving near a window or installing hooks and going for hanging planters can ensure you have enough space for all the plants you want to grow.

Choose Your Herbs

Since most homeowners will be somewhat limited on space with an indoor herb garden, it’s important to choose the herbs that you’re most likely to cook with. Basil and parsley are a couple of plants that might do well in your kitchen and that can complement countless recipes. Growing from seeds can be a bit challenging for first-time indoor gardeners, and luckily, plants are often easy to find. Head to your local market or grocery store to see what’s available.

Do Your Research

If you haven’t successfully grown herbs in the past, it’s worth spending just a few minutes online to learn how to care for your plants. For the specific types of plants you purchase, you’ll want to know how much light they need, how often to water them, and how to trim them so that they continue to grow.

Make Watering a Part of Your Routine

Finally, the number-one reason indoor gardens fail is that we forget to water them. By making this part of your daily routine, you can help your plants thrive. Whether it’s in the morning while you’re heating up water for your coffee or in the evening before you start cooking dinner, simply getting in the habit of watering your plants will help keep them healthy.

 

 

If you’d like to talk more about any of these ideas, or if there’s something else I can be of assistance with, please reach out to me. I’m always happy to help.