Gardening Methods

Starting indoor herb garden, No idea what I’m doing help please?

I just want to start a small one for cooking. I’m thinking basil, rosemary and a few others. I have a gardening book but I would love some experienced advice. Its a small apartment so they have to grow small. How big should they be when I get them? should I just start from seeds?? Also what kind of soil or plant food should I get. I don’t want this to get to expensive. Are Terra cota pots the right thing to grow in? Any other questions or advice you think would help please say!!
Hoe do I keep them from out growing their pots/getting to big? I have a small apt so they cant be to big.

Basil, Rosemary and Thyme are three great herbs to grow inside. Terra Cotta pots are great for growing herbs because they wick away moisture so your plants don’t stay too wet, just make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom! You can grow from seed if you’d like but I’m afraid that the seeds won’t germinate properly inside. You might be better off buying small liners to start. Make sure your herbs get good sunlight. A due West window is great, just keep them as close to the window as possible. As for fertilizer, a well balanced 6-6-6- or 10-10-10 would be best. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks so your plants stay well fed.

First things first though, say you but some liners (1 or 2 inch pots), go out and buy some 5″ clay pots, buy some good potting soil (no fill dirt), and make sure when you transfer into the new pot, keep the liners at the same soil level they were growing in.

As for watering in that 5″ pot, check daily for water by sticking your finger down into the soil (not just on the top!), and when the soil is just barely moist, soak your pot completely then let it dry again until the next watering.

If your plants run out of room eventually in their pots, though they can get VERY pot-bound before they need a step up in pot size, only go up one size at a time! 5″-6″-8″-10″ etc., don’t be tempted to go too big, or they’ll stay too wet!

One more thing! Once your plants get some size, trim them! Trimming back promotes more growth, therefore most branching and more yummy herbs to use!

Hope this helps, good luck!

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