How to Grow a Winter Herb Garden

Good Housekeeping
Stir up memories of warmer months by growing fresh herbs inside your home.
Stir up memories of warmer months by growing fresh herbs inside your home.

What you'll need:

  • Pots with drainage holes

  • Gravel

  • Fresh soil (from local garden center)

  • Herb seed packets or seedlings

  • Plant markers

Related: Try This Delicious Six-Herb Linguine

Instructions:
1. Visit your local garden supply center to buy seeds or seedlings. Can't find what you're looking for? Check out the selection of seeds at the Seed Shop and have them delivered.

2. Fill the bottom of each pot with 3/4-inch gravel, then fill completely with soil. Dig a hole in the soil large enough for your plant to fit into. Remove the seedling from its plastic nursery container and set into planting hole. Gentle press down the soil around the plant. If starting from seeds, fill the pot with soil and then gently press seeds into soil 1/4 inch.

3. Spray-paint the top band of each pot with chalkboard paint. Let dry completely and then write the name of the herb using colorful chalk. The best part? When it's time to transfer plants, just wipe the chalkboard clean and re-label!

Related: You Couldn't Kill These Houseplants If You Tried

Ultimate indoor herbs:

  • Oregano: Find a sunny spot for this light-lover and turn the plant for even growth.

  • Rosemary: Buy a nursery-grown plant and pot in dry soil or a mixture of soil and coarse sand.

  • Basil: The key to growing basil indoors is helping it get as much sun as possible and keeping the soil moist, yet well-drained. During the dark winter months, place the plant in the sunniest spot in your house.

  • Peppermint: Can thrive in minimal light, although some sun each day is best.

  • Chives: One of the easiest herbs to grow indoors, chives are ready to be chopped when they reach 6 to 12 inches.

  • Parsley: Set your parsley in a sun-drenched, south-facing window.

  • Thyme: Thyme grows best when it gets 6 hours of sun per day.

Related: 13 Backyards That Will Make You Green With Envy

Avoid these mistakes:

  • Don't plant all of your herbs in one pot. Give each herb its own home and line up a row of pots along your windowsill.

  • Don't use soil from your backyard. Visit your local garden center for some fresh potting soil that's better suited for indoor use.

  • Don't overwater. Let the soil dry out between waterings and look for yellow leaves, a sign that your plant needs less water.

- By Katie Holdefehr

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