How to Grow Herbs and Spices at Home and Have it All Year Round |
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Maybe you did not know, but autumn is the perfect time for growing spices and healing herbs in your kitchen garden.
You will be able to enjoy their benefits during the winter as well.
Your herbs will be planted into pots and even though they will not grow as the ones planted in the open, still they will contain all beneficial attributes.
Freshly picked herbs have an intensive aroma and contain the highest levels of minerals and vitamins.
There is a large selection of plants that thrives indoors at your disposal.
All you need is few advices, airy and bright room and few well-chosen plants.
To ensure the best conditions for your plants, we advise you to start with organic bedding plants.
How to Plant and Grow Spices
Here are some tips on how to successfully grow spices and healing herbs at home.
You have to carefully choose soil for these herbs because they prefer soil that contains less organic matter.
Potting soil can be mixed with sand in ratio of 3:1 and it is even better to buy cactus soil because it already contains sand.
You can use pots in diameter of at least 15 cm or more if there are holes in the bottom.
Still if you use a bigger pot, the plant’s roots will have more space for growth and you will have a richer harvest.
Most of these plants tolerate water but they should be watered only when the soil surface dries out.
The best way to determine if the plant needs watering is to stick your finger 2-3 cm into the soil and if you feel it is dry it needs watering.
Plants need more water when the temperatures are higher.
Most plants prefer daily temperatures of 16 to 21 Celsius, although they can tolerate temperature increase for another five degrees.
It is extremely important that the night temperatures are 12 degrees lower in order to stimulate outdoor conditions.
During warm autumn days you can put the plants on windows or on a balcony and regularly clean their leaves from dust.
Fertilizing is not necessary, but plants can be fed with organic liquid fertilizer made of seaweeds or compost maximum once a month.
1. Mint
Mint is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family of Lamiaceae.
Spearmint and peppermint are a good choice.
However, keep in mind that spearmint has a milder taste than peppermint so if you want to feel it’s aroma you will have to add more spearmint to your dish.
Mint spreads like weed and you must plant it in a separate pot, because it could easily occupy the space of other plants.
If possible, place it on the window sill where it won’t be directly exposed to the sun – during autumn and winter put it on window sill or balcony that is turned west or south, while during spring and summer on the east side.
Peppermint eases allergies and asthma, and treats infections.
2. Parsley
Parsley is biennial plant in the family of Apiaceae.
This plant likes to be directly exposed to sunlight, but it will also slowly grow near a window which is turned east or west.
Parsley is a rich source of antioxidants and folic acid which protects the heart.
3. Oregano
Oregano is a perennial plant in the family of Lamiaceae. It is self-growing and strongly resistant to all climate conditions.
Greek or wild oregano is the best.
Put the pot on the window sill which is turned south for the plant to get as much sunlight.
Oregano contains carvacrol that has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen perennial plant with needle-like leaves that is resistant to drought.
It will grow best if it has plenty of sunshine.
Rosemary increases energy, improves memory and helps with gout and rheumatism.
5. Sage
Sage is a perennial evergreen woody plant. It is self-grown and strongly resistant to all conditions.
It likes sunny locations and tolerates dry air in closed spaces.
Sage has antibacterial and antifungal effect. It calms, refreshes and invigorates, helps with pain and high fever.
6. Basil
Annual herbaceous plant.
Greek and African blue basil are the best for planting indoors.
African blue basil is similar to Asian or Thai basil because its leaves are smaller and narrower. Leaves are streaked with bluish-purple color along the leaf veins and the color of the stalk is the same.
You should put the plant on the southern side to get as much sun and heat.
Basil is a powerful antioxidant and a natural antibiotic. It strengthens the immune system and protects the cardiovascular system.
7. Laurel
Perennial evergreen wooden plant that thrives indoors throughout the year.
Put it on a window sill or a balcony on the east or west side and make sure that there is enough space between plants, because laurel needs good air circulation.
Laurel stimulates circulation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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