How to Grow a Herb Garden in Your Own Kitchen

How about spicing up your life and your cooking with fresh herbs grown in your own kitchen? Most herbs can be successfully raised indoors with the right light, heat and humidity-the three essential needs of all plants. Fortunately, we all live in climate controlled environments so with just a little tweaking, we can provide the basic plant needs.

Let's consider light...the kitchen window sill usually comes to mind first because of the convenience but it is probably the poorest place to raise any potted plant. Unless the kitchen has good ventilation, the temperatures in the room can fluctuate over too great a range. Also, the grease that clogs our arteries can also clog the plant's pores.

Another consideration is the cold air that leaks through the seals around the window during the harsh winter months would impact the temperature.

A window with a southern exposure or one that provides at least half a day of sunlight is the ideal. However, if you are a serious gardener, you could also purchase "grow bulbs" to help provide the proper light. These come in variety of sizes and shapes; be sure to read the directions before using.

Humidity is another consideration. Most modern houses suffer from too much heat and too little humidity. Have you ever bought a beautiful flowering plant at a greenhouse? You bring it home, put in a sunny window, water it as needed and it gets ugly and dies. You gave it everything it needed but humidity. Think of the moisture level in the greenhouse. The plant was accustommed to all that humidity and when it goes to someone's home, it is like being moved to the desert.

Consider the wide cariety of herb plants that are available. Review their needs for light, temperature and humidity. I always suggest that you choose the plants that you are most likely to use in your cooking;rosemary, basil, chives and bay are good ones to start.

Granny's Tips and Hints:

Become familiar with the many herb plants and their care needs. There are many seed catalogs available on line so shop away! Consider exchanging cuttings from your kitchen garden with friends and family. This is a great,economical means to expand your kitchen garden.

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