HFG DIGITAL NEWSLETTER
|
| HFG DIGITAL NEWSLETTER |
|
|
Indoor Herb GardeningNothing tastes better in a home-cooked dish than fresh herbs. Herbs can be expensive to buy from the store, and they don’t keep very long at that, so why not grow your own indoor herb garden? It is an easy and rewarding way to add tantalizing fresh flavors to your home cuisine. Location, Location, Location – For the success of your herb garden, a southern or western facing window that receives at least five hours of sunlight each day is ideal. Make sure that it isn’t anywhere near extreme temperature producers (such as a radiator), or in a drafty area. Herb’s tip – If your plants are looking “leggy,” with long stems or leaves, leaves are falling off for no reason or are becoming spotted, this means they are not getting enough sun. You can supplement this with fluorescent lights placed four inches above your plants. Make sure to rotate your plants so the whole plant is receiving sunlight. Containers & Design – Any pot six inches in diameter at the top and at least six to twelve inches deep with good drainage will work, but terra cotta or clay varieties circulate air and water and are the best choice. Using pots of the same size, shape and material will give your garden a uniform look. Herb’s tip- You can group your herbs together in a long container, just make sure you have six to eight inches between each plant. Seeds or Plants – Use a light potting mix for both seeds and plants. Place the seeds the depth indicated on the packet and mist with water. Great herbs to plant from seed include Greek oregano, basil and dill. Make sure you purchase the compact varieties for indoor growing, because the regular varieties need more room to grow. Rosemary, mint and thyme thrive when planted from cuttings or young plants. You can purchase young plants at nurseries and even some grocery stores. Leave an inch at the top for water; this is after you have gently packed the soil around the plant. Herb’s tip – Drainage is important for these plants. Lay mesh over the drainage holes and use a mix with coarse sand to help drainage if you are planting from cuttings. Let the soil dry a little between waterings to keep your plants from getting root rot. The way to go with H2O – Do not saturate your plants with water. You only need to water once or twice a week. Just make sure your soil is damp to the touch at all times. A mister is a great tool to use to achieve this affect on your soil. Herb’s tip – Moisture is essential to an herb’s well-being. If you are worried about the air in your home being too dry, place your pots in a tray filled with pebbles and water. When the water evaporates, it will create humidity around your plant, giving it extra moisture. Make sure to keep the tray filled with water, and ensure your plant is not directly sitting in the water. Pest Control - Yes, it can happen indoors too. If you notice large numbers of flying or crawling tiny insects around your plants, simply make a tepid solution of soapy water and swish your plant around in it. This is a safe way to kill these pests without harming your plant or anyone eating them. Herb’s tip – You can spray this on your plant as well. Make sure to get under the leaves too. Use and Enjoy – Snip and use your herbs often! The more you use them, the more they will grow. Take from the outer edges of the plant and never take more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. Herb’s tip – For a great guide on using and storing your herbs, go to www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/cooking/fresh-herbs-cooking-guide. For recipes using your herbs, go to homecooking.about.com/od/allherbrecipes/Herb_Recipes.htm.
|
This newsletter is a service of Hepburn Financial Group. Should you no longer wish to receive
these messages please send an email to: unsubscribe@hepburnfg.com |
