Growing Your Indoor Herbs

Lighting
If you have a window that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunshine a day, this would be an ideal spot to place some pots of herbs. A window facing east would work perfectly. A window facing southwest would work as well. Be careful of afternoon sunshine during the summer months because it may be too strong. A northern exposure window will not produce enough direct sunlight for herbs.

If you don't have a good window for herb growing, set up a grow light area and place your herb pots under the grow light. The light should be on for at least six hours each day. Position the grow light 6 to 9 inches above small herbs and 12 to 16 inches above large herbs.


Watering
Water each herb carefully and individually, according its individual needs. Insert your finger about one inch into the soil at the edge of the pot. If the soil is dry, water the herb. If the soil is moist, wait one day and test the moisture with your finger again. Always test the soil before watering to make sure you don't over water indoor herbs. If you have an empty ketchup squeeze bottle, this works great for watering herbs individually.


Feeding
Plant your herbs in a good quality potting soil. Feed indoor herbs with an all-purpose water soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the summer and once per month during the winter. Mix the fertilizer into water at half the recommended strength.

For more information, you can always speak to a Master Gardner at the MSU Horticultural Center at 662.620.8280. They have Master Gardner's on call March through September. You can contact them Monday - Thursday from 10 am - 12 pm and from 1 - 3 pm.

Have fun gardening indoors!

Today's Tools

This is one our absolute favorites here in the shop. This stainless steel spray pump is an easy way to cook more healthy, with more flavor and less fat. Just fill the dripless mister with your favorite olive oil and spray directly onto your grilled meats, fish and vegetables. You can even spray it on the edges and bottom of your pan just like other commerical sprays.The fine mist lets you spray the right amount so there's no excess oil on your food or in your pan.

Spring is Coming...

Are you wishing it was spring? I do. When I get spring fever I know it's time to start thinking about planting my herbs for this year. Over the next few weeks we will talk about storing, picking, and using herbs.

Herbs add flavor and diversity to your cooking, but you need to select and store them right. Examine fresh herbs as carefully as you would any produce, and select those that are free from spots, insect damage, or that look limp or dry. Fresh herbs bruise easily, so handle them gently, and use them as soon as possible to get the most flavor and aroma into your food.

Some herbs will keep for several days stored in the refrigerator vegetable bin if they are washed, patted dry, wrapped in a damp paper tower, and then enclosed in a plastic bag with a few holes punched in it. I like to keep herb bunches in a vase of water directly in the refrigerator.