By Gigi
When it comes to growing herbs indoors, we have good news and bad news. First, the good news: Starting an indoor herb garden is easy if you're in an apartment with good southern or western exposure, which allows for about five hours of daylight to help herbs grow. And, the bad news: If your apartment is north-facing or just doesn’t get good light, then read no further.
(But you can still check out our Urban Gardener kit, which includes shade-friendly impatiens.)
Start your herbs—thyme, mint, rosemary—from cuttings or young plants from a local garden store or supermarket in a soil-less mix of vermiculite, peat and perlite. Directions on the package will describe how much to use—or ask at the garden store (if you choose this method, skip to step #5, below).
Alternatively, you can grow your herbs from seeds:
1. Get pots. Small pots with a 6" diameter are best—they’re small enough for compact plants but still allow for growth (like our 5” and 7” pots).
2. Get “compact” herbs—compact dill, basil and Greek oregano are good seed-grown herbs.
3. Fill each pot with regular potting soil.
4. Tuck the seeds into the soil—the depth will be specified on the seed packet.
5. Mist with water.
6. Place the pots in the sunny southern or western window.
7. Keep the soil damp. Don't be afraid to mist the soil every day—especially if you're in an over-heated, dry apartment. The soil should be kept damp but not soaked.
8. Once you see sprouts, avoid over-watering, which causes root rot. (For herbs begun with transplants or cuttings, make sure you allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings.)
9. Keep herbs away from spots that experience extremes in temperature (e.g., radiators, kitchen stoves).
10. If light is uneven, rotate the plants once a week.
And there you have it, you’ve got an herb garden. Now use it. Plus, the more you cut the herbs to use them, the more they'll grow.