How To Grow Herbs Indoors During Winter (PHOTOS)

From Networx.com:

It's cold outside, but don't give up on growing fresh greens at home. There are a variety of plants that you can bring indoors to keep your inner gardener happy and keep you supplied with fresh herbs.

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Ideal Conditions

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If you live in a well-insulated home that is usually kept at a reasonable temperature (ideally above 60 degrees) throughout the winter, then the easiest strategy for growing herbs indoors is to bring in already mature plants and place them on a sun-filled south-facing windowsill for maximum sun exposure. Don't let your plants touch the cold glass of the window. If you don't have a sun-filled south-facing window, then your other option is to invest in grow lights.

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If you live in a well-insulated home that is usually kept at a reasonable temperature (ideally above 60 degrees) throughout the winter, then the easiest strategy for growing herbs indoors is to bring in already mature plants and place them on a sun-filled south-facing windowsill for maximum sun exposure. Don't let your plants touch the cold glass of the window. If you don't have a sun-filled south-facing window, then your other option is to invest in grow lights.

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I'll skip this one. I'm adding this to my winter gardening routine!

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Comments

[diver47]

08:15 PM on 01/30/2011

I have 4 Aerogardens (first picture) and they are an almost dummy proof way to grow fresh herbs. Highly recommended!! I have leaf lettuce, multiple herbs, and tomatoes all growing right now indoors. These are truly designed for those with black thumbs. I have bought several as presents for family. Watching fresh stuff grow in the winter time is also nice and cheery.

I can't tell you how nice it is to walk over and cut off some fresh basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, etc for cooking, or to cut a bowl of lettuce and not have to wash it. Fresh, no sprays or bugs or other nastys. Yum!

[MarcEdward]

01:07 PM on 01/26/2011

Not to state the obvious, but if you really want to grow herbs indoors, do a Google search on "Marijuana cultivation" and you'll see how professionals do it. Everything they say about growing marijuana is applicable to growing herbs indoors, other than the secrecy. There are dozens of grow guides.

[fourthestatepost]

04:11 PM on 01/25/2011

I can teach you a thing or two about growing herbs. wink, wink

[MarcEdward]

01:05 PM on 01/26/2011

Whatever do you mean?
Hydroponics?

[athena 88]

10:28 AM on 01/25/2011

Thanks so much for this great tip...Growing herbs is a great way to go green, but I've always had a black thumb.

This is one of the many ways I try to stay green at home.

http://www.best5everything.com/best5ListPages/easywaysgreen39349.php

[Sharon Musgrave]

04:23 AM on 01/25/2011

I didnt find the last slide to be accurate but then I'm growing a very large dumbcane thats taking over my house. It was already in heavily fertilized soil from the local big chain store at the start of winter.

What I want to know is where can I buy Holy Basil plants- seed or already started?

[camanokat]

02:21 PM on 01/25/2011

Territorial Seeds out of Oregon has a great selection of seeds and plants. I get the catalog at my local food co=op.

[GustavoRejivik]

01:05 AM on 01/25/2011

In Maine where it's 50 below, you'd have to grow your herbs indoors ....

[gsmp]

07:03 PM on 01/24/2011

You can root your own from fresh herbs abailable in the produce aisle. I've got spearmint going now.

[SukiTheCat]

06:14 PM on 01/24/2011

I had a friend who used to grow 'herb' indoors

[rikster]

03:49 PM on 01/24/2011

been doing it for quite a while...worth it..

[TaurusRose]

01:17 PM on 01/24/2011

Why is this simplistic stuff getting space here?

[Rynox]

11:53 AM on 01/24/2011

Light at the end of the tunnel, is that spring?

"Bring your outdoor, potted plants indoors when the weather gets cold. Ideally you should get your plants adjusted to the indoor environment by bringing them indoors for increasingly longer periods of time over a couple weeks, and then move them inside before the first frosts."

I've heard of hardening off for moving seedlings outside, but I've never heard of adjusting a plant for indoors. Thanks for the tip.

[Taj Sandhu]

11:51 AM on 01/24/2011

Sweet article. Thank you.

[Rush 2112]

11:47 AM on 01/24/2011

You don't need expensive grow lights. With a couple of CFL's and some other material laying around the house I made my own grow light. I mainly grow peppers and tomatoes year round in Wisconsin. CFL's work just as well and use very little energy unlike some of the costly grow lights.

[Rynox]

11:55 AM on 01/24/2011

I am very interested in doing this. Can you point me towards any online resources, videos, etc? What kind of CFL's do you use?

[Rush 2112]

12:19 PM on 01/24/2011

I certainly can. I made a three bulb light for myself but it's up to you. I use 3 100 watt bulbs that actually take 23 watts to run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy5fzPlsXK0

[ben616]

04:42 AM on 01/29/2011

CFL's initially seem appealing but lose most of there lumens after the first month.
You would be better off investing in a 150 hps fixture or T5 fluorescents.
Both are cheaper in the long run because they produce more lumens per watt and last longer than a month.

[Marturia]

11:30 AM on 01/24/2011

It's fun to pick fresh basil in the winter.

[Rush 2112]

11:48 AM on 01/24/2011

And it tastes so much better than store bought.

[Judson Wallace]

11:20 AM on 01/24/2011

Yes as many indoor growers have noted for years... you can control all the variables when you grow inside.