3 Tips for Growing Herbs Indoors This Winter – From Charlie Nardozzi
Charlie Nardozzi writes a weekly column about gardening and this week, he gives us tips on growing his favorite indoor plant, herbs.
His top 3 tips for growing herbs inside during the blustery, cold months of winter:
Bring Your Herbs Inside
Don’t be worried if a few leaves fall off when you bring your herbs inside. The lower light levels can affect the plant but it will still grow. Smaller leaves that use light efficiently will grow in to replace the larger sunlight-dependent leaves.
Also cut back on your watering and fertilizing of these plants. They don’t need as much of either when they are inside.
Get Some New Herb Plants
Plants in a sunny window may only be getting a 1/10th of the normal amount of sunlight they need to grow properly. Charlie suggests you place them under grow lights to get them going. Make sure it is a full-spectrum light and leave them under the lights 12-14 hours.
For seedlings, grow them in 3-4 inch pots and make sure you use sterilized potting soil that are light – the lighter the soil the better, he says.
Consider a liquid fertilizer at half-strength to encourage new growth. While you don’t need to water as often as outside, you do need to water thoroughly. When you water, it should run out the bottom. Cooler indoor temperatures work best.
Suggested Varieties
English Mint (easy), Spicy Globe Basil (small, smells great), Blue Boy rosemary (only grows to 24 inches) and Dwarf Garden sage (grows to 10 inches).
For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org.
Charlie Nardozzi, a nationally recognized garden writer, book author, speaker and radio and television personality, has appeared on HGTV, PBS and Discovery Channel television networks. He teaches and inspires home gardeners to grow the best vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees and shrubs in their yards.