Fresh foods made from locally grown ingredients are all the rage. And if you’re going to be cooking with fresh ingredients, why not grow your own herb garden to have on hand?
The rising popularity of gourmet food has increased the demand for fresh ingredients, specifically herbs. Apart from the convenience of never having to go far to find fresh ingredients for your dish, with an indoor herb garden it’s straight from ‘farm’ to table.
Raising an herb garden in the luxury of your own garden room lets you enjoy fresh scents, flavors, and taste, all year round. Below are some tips to help you start your indoor gardening project.
Invest in good lighting
Your sunroom or garden room makes the ideal environment for growing sustained and harvestable amounts of herbs. This is because intense light (or anywhere from 6-8 hours of direct light) helps herbs produce the oils that give them their distinct flavor.
East- and west-facing windows give your plants an abundant amount of bright sun for about six hours. In the winter days, south-facing windows receive most of the sun.
In the winter, when abundant sunlight isn’t always a possibility, invest in artificial lights. Pick the right, energy-efficient grow light for your type of herb, to keep your plants healthy. Be sure not to use a sunlamp – these are for people and can do more harm than good for the plant.
Choose the best herbs to grow
Note that not all herbs can grow well indoors. Some herbs (such as dill and cilantro) will require constant replanting after trimming, making them the least viable choice for an indoor garden.
Meanwhile, perennial herbs, such as chives, rosemary, thyme, mint, oregano, and bay laurel are some of the easiest to grow. You can buy these from young plants at your local garden center. There are also herbs that you can start from cuttings (such as mint) and then those that are best started from seed (like basil and chervil).
Before buying seeds or young plants, ask the seller if the herb you intend to buy can thrive in an indoor garden.
Decide between soil and hydroponics
The discussion of using soil vs. hydroponics is often a lengthy one, given the number of factors to consider and what the individual wants to achieve.
Hydroponic systems are the choice for many indoor plant growers, as they make more efficient use of space compared to soil. Hydroponics don’t depend on external factors. Instead, it allows you to create the nutrient mixture, humidity, temperature, and growing schedule that’s ideal for growing your herbs indoors.
Starting your very own garden comes with plenty of benefits, both to your health and your budget. An indoor herb garden is not just a healthy choice for you, but it also makes valuable use of your luxury garden room. Ask Conservatory Craftsmen about building a garden room that’s perfect for growing plants and herbs. Call us at 612-281-4985 or fill out our form today.