Hi Forum readers, I am new to garden stew and really to gardening, I have always had a "black thumb" and not good with plants. I saw a tv special about the guys who own California Kitchen Pizza. they have an indoor terrarium inside of a wall in their kitchen with artificial lights and they grow herbs in it that they pick while they are cooking. I was wondering about doing something like that or doing a hydroponic garden that can grow herbs. I saw a hydroponic "box" online that can grow plants. anyone have ideas about how to accomplish my goal of indoor herb garden in the kitchen? thanks moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
im pretty new to gardening myself but i've had some sucess with herbs just on the window ledge indoors. i've grown basil, parsley, corriander, and oregano in a 6 inch pot, with some ordinary compost with a little grit
There is nothing like fresh herbs to perk up a dish! If you want to grow them indoors, choose the herbs that don't have a long tap root ( like dill), or that require full sun (like basil) unless you can provide supplemental light. Supplemental light can be as simple as a flourescent tube about 6" above the plants, or a full set-up with shelving and plant lights. For easily grown indoor herbs, try mint, oregano (which is practically indestructible), winter savory. If you have supplemental light, basil, tarragon, chives will do fine for you. Indoor herbs do not have the same big growth nor the same hearty flavor as herbs that grow outdoors, but they are quite acceptable all the same.
Rosemary will grow on a window ledge. Mine even develops little blue flowers indoors. It's great to just chop off a couple of the tips for recipes. Also...welcome. Gardenstew is a great place.
thanks forum readers. I have a narrow windowsill but I will see if I can get 3 or 4 inch pots. how about the hydroponics? anyone know if it is difficult or costly to do? anyone try growing herbs that way? I used to buy hydroponic lettuce at a grocery store in Houston, TX...it was good. thanks everyone for your support.
Thai Basil! Hey, So one of my favorite herbs, which we grow and distribute TONS of in our community garden is Thai Basil. It has a wonderful flavor and is great in a lot of dishes. Another recommendation is definitely Lemon Balm. If you like tea, steeping lemon balm leaves is fantastic. The Lemon Balm plant grows fairly large, and is great outdoors. However, it can be grown indoors. While I am thinking about it, Stevia is also very wonderful. It is a great substitute for sugar in drinks. Let us know what you end up choosing! Paul Nickerson
