How To: Growing An Indoor Herb Garden

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There’s nothing I love more than infusing fresh herbs from my kitchen herb garden into whatever I’m cooking or cocktailing.  And whether you consider yourself an expert or novice gardener, mastering a small indoor herb garden is easier than you think.  

To get started, gather planters of different shapes and sizes (these are from Anthropologie), organic potting soil and your preferred seeds or already-planted herbs. When selecting your preferred herbs, think of how you’ll use them.  Sprigs of thyme add a crisp bite to everything from roasted vegetables to hearty soups.  Fresh cut basil is the perfect way to garnish a salad, and a necessity for any margherita pizza.  Parsley garnishes every dish with a much-needed pop of color.  Mint is a mojito staple and will make your entire kitchen smell heavenly.  And if you find yourself regularly cooking with one herb more than others, plant that herb in one of the larger planters and double up on seeds.  

When moving the herbs from the store containers to your planters, gently break up the roots with your fingers and place the herbs in the center of your planter. Then, surround the plant with additional soil. Lightly pat down the soil, but make sure not to overcrowd the herbs or add too much soil—you want to always give the plant room to grow. (See the slideshow below for an easy four-step tutorial.)

Each herb will vary slightly when it comes to water and sunlight. Make sure to read the directions accompanying each plant. For example, herbs like basil, need more sunlight and water than rosemary, which will flourish even when being neglected.  I’d also suggest investing in a plant mister for the herbs, and keep in mind that as the herbs begin to outgrow their original planters, you can easily replant them outside where they’ll have more room to flourish, or split the herb to keep one portion inside to have on hand, and the other remaining outside.

Your edible herb garden, filled with sage, rosemary, and other fragrant herbs, will be a much-loved addition to your kitchen.  Do you plant and use herbs regularly?  Truly, MKR

SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE 

  

STEP 1: LOOSEN THE ROOTS

STEP 1: LOOSEN THE ROOTS

WHEN MOVING THE HERBS FROM THE STORE CONTAINERS TO YOUR PLANTERS, GENTLY BREAK UP THE ROOTS WITH YOUR FINGERS AND PLACE THE HERBS IN THE CENTER OF YOUR PLANTER.

PHOTOGRAPHY, KATHRYN MCCRARY
STEP 2: ADD ADDITIONAL SOIL

STEP 2: ADD ADDITIONAL SOIL

SURROUND THE PLANT WITH ADDITIONAL SOIL, BUT MAKE SURE NOT TO OVERCROWD THE HERBS OR ADD TOO MUCH SOIL—YOU WANT TO ALWAYS GIVE THE PLANT ROOM TO GROW.

PHOTOGRAPHY, KATHRYN MCCRARY
STEP 3: PAT DOWN & WATER

STEP 3: PAT DOWN & WATER

LIGHTLY PAT DOWN THE ADDITIONAL SOIL AND WATER.

PHOTOGRAPHY, KATHRYN MCCRARY
STEP 4: FOLLOW THE DIRECTION

STEP 4: FOLLOW THE DIRECTION

PER THE HERB'S DIRECTIONS, PLACE THE HERB WHERE IT WILL GET THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF SUNLIGHT.

PHOTOGRAPHY, KATHRYN MCCRARY
ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

Photography, Kathryn McCrary  |  This story is in collaboration with Caldrea and the Caldrea Gardens.  Opinions and images are 100% our own.

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  • These products and the tutorial offer an ideal mix of organic + sustainable with fashionably chic. The utility of an indoor herb garden is perfect for the budding chef/mixologist. We have just begun the process of sprucing up our indoor greenery and I can’t wait to employ these tips!

    xx, leslie
    http://www.onebrassfox.com

  • These are absolutely beautiful! I think I’m going to have to get those planters. Thanks for sharing!

  • I’ve been wanting to plant an outdoor herb garden, but since we live close to the woods, I’ve been afraid that it would attract animals. I hadn’t even thought of starting an indoor garden. Duh. Such a great idea…especially since I have a ton of windows and natural light!

  • Mandy Kellogg Rye / 03.19.2015

    Yes with all that window light you really need to take advantage of it! Good luck, let me know how it goes. xo

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