Woman's Info Articles

Container herb gardening is a great way to spice up your winter cooking with fresh, tasty herbs all winter long. Here are some simple tips for you to enjoy fresh herbs in the winter.

Selecting the right container is key. Choices range from standard flower pots and planter boxes to wooden barrels, hanging baskets and larger pots. Be sure to choose a durable container that has adequate drainage. For most herbs, mid-size containers are large enough to ensure the root area stays moist and is unrestricted. Line the base of the container with newspaper to prevent soil loss.

It's relatively simple to cut a portion of an outdoor plant -- such as chives, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme -- and plant it indoors. Get as many roots as possible when you remove the clump. You can also take a stem cutting by snipping a six-inch section of stem and removing the lower leaves before planting. Some plants, though, including basil and dill, will work best from seeding.

Commercially prepared "soil-less" mixtures work well because they drain quickly and are free from soil-borne diseases and weed seeds. You can also purchase a good quality soil potting mixture, which generally consists of one part loam or topsoil, one part peat moss, leaf mold or compost, and one part vermiculite or perlite. Regardless of the medium, make sure it is nutrient-rich to help plants reach their peak. Local soil alone won't include the right balance of nutrients.

Your garden will require at least five hours of direct sunlight daily. Place plants in a south- or west-facing window. If good window light isn't an option, fluorescent lighting can work as well.

Container plants can run out of "food" quickly since their roots can't expand to find nutrients. At the time of planting, mix controlled-release fertilizer granules into the soil mix. Then, to maintain the nutrient supply, use a soluble liquid fertilizer with every other watering. Be sure to learn about the nutrient needs of your herbs, because requirements can vary substantially between plants. And be careful not to over-water. Check with your finger about one-third of the way into the pot to see if the soil is dry and needs watering.