Growing herbs for your personal use is not only easy, but is a less expensive way to flavor all your favorite dishes. All you need to grow beautiful, healthy herbs is a sunny place for them to sit, soil that drains well, a pot with drainage holes, fertilizer, and water. While there are many ways to begin an herb garden, by far the easiest way is to start with already established plants. Look around local nurseries or gardening centers in Lowes, Walmart, or any other retailer that has established seedlings for sale. Just look for healthy plants with bright colors...no yellowing or browning….with no noticeable signs of disease, such as spots or what looks like rust.
Choose pots that make you happy in any shape or size that pleases you. However, remember that the larger the pot, the larger your herbs will grow, and you don’t want them outgrowing their space. The main requirement for pots is that they have drainage holes to release excess water. Some pots can have holes poked in them if they don’t come with holes. Pots, such as ceramic pots, that don’t already have holes and cannot have holes drilled or poked into them can still work. In this case, you have to use a second pot with holes that sits down inside the decorative ceramic pot. Once you have watered your herbs, wait for the soil to drain into the tray, saucer, or decorative pot beneath it, and then toss the water. If you don’t, it will find its way back into the soil and too-moist soil can cause root rot, which is always deadly to a plant.
Have the following items handy when transplanting a seedling:
Pot with drainage holes.
Tray or saucer to hold excess water under the pot. If using a decorative pot that cannot have holes punched into it, follow these directions for a pot that has drainage holes that can fit inside the decorative pot, using the outside pot to catch excess water.
Potting mix - must be well draining soil. Look for potting soil that is specially formulated for indoor plants. Usually this type of mix should contain perlite for easy drainage. Good soil should include nitrogen, phosphate, and potash.
Small shovel or cup to use to scoop soil.
Small watering can or something to water plants immediately after planting.
Newspaper or a dropcloth to cover your work area if you are working indoors.
Steps for Planting Established Seedlings:
Cover your work area with newspaper or a dropcloth.
Make sure your pot has drainage holes. If not, poke or drill several small holes in the bottom of your pot.
Place enough soil in the bottom of the pot to fill about ¼ of the pot. For large pots, fill the bottom half with soil.
Gently turn the plant over in your hand and tap on the bottom of the growing pot or squeeze gently to force the plant out of the pot.
Gently knead the soil around the roots to loosen the roots slightly. Do not pull on the roots or break them, as damaged roots may cause the plant to die.
Place the plant in the center of the pot and, while holding the plant upright with one hand, scoop soil on each side of the plant, making sure to cover the root ball entirely. Fill soil to the rim of the pot.
Pat down the soil gently. The soil should be firm enough to hold the plant upright, but not so packed that it becomes difficult for water to pass through.
Place the pot in the tray, saucer, or decorative pot that you are using to catch water under the plant.
Water immediately. Water just enough that the soil is moist or damp but not soaking wet. Wait for excess water to drain into tray or saucer or decorative pot. Toss any excess water.
Place plant in sunny windowsill and enjoy your new herb garden. Remember, herbs like 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Feeding and Watering Herbs:
If you have used good soil with the nutrients nitrogen, phosphate, and potash (or potassium), you will not need to feed your plants for 2-4 weeks. If your soil does not contain these nutrients, you will need to fertilize your plants as soon as potted. Look for fertilizer that is 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. This means the fertilizer has a balanced amount of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. Follow the directions on the package for how to feed your plants, but only use half the amount called for. Remember, with herbs it is better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize.
Water your herbs when the soil is dry to the touch. Do not over-water herbs.