Growing herbs can be a rewarding and simple endeavor, whether you’re cultivating them indoors, on a balcony, or in a garden.
Prepare the Soil
Herbs generally prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
For outdoor planting, amend the soil with compost or organic matter to ensure it drains well but retains some moisture. For containers, use a high-quality potting mix or make your own with equal parts potting soil, perlite, and compost.
Planting Your Herbs
Plant spacing: Ensure each herb has enough room to grow. For example, basil and mint need about 12-18 inches, while chives or parsley can be spaced closer together (6-8 inches apart).
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Herbs don’t like to sit in soggy soil.
Watering frequency depends on your climate, the container size, and soil type, but generally, water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew. Water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry.
Sunlight
Most herbs require at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If you're growing herbs indoors, a south-facing windowsill is ideal. If you have limited sunlight, you can use grow lights designed for plants.
Some herbs, like mint, parsley, and cilantro, can tolerate partial shade, but most, like basil and thyme, thrive in full sun.
Fertilising
Herbs are generally light feeders. Use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser or organic options like compost or fish emulsion.
Over-fertilising can lead to overly lush growth with less flavor. Apply fertiliser sparingly, about once a month during the growing season.
If you're growing herbs in containers, you may need to fertilise more often as container soil nutrients are quickly depleted.
