Are you looking for a way to change your home interior and enjoy the benefits of growing herbs indoors? One of the best things you can go for in this case is a windowsill garden. You can create one both inside your home or hang a window box outside if the weather conditions are suitable for the herbs you’ll be growing.
Windowsill gardens are a great solution for gardeners with limited space and no outdoor garden. You can book an experienced and professional gardening company to start your windowsill garden for you but you can also try it yourself as a cool DIY gardening project.
In this article, we’ll show you how to get started and how to take proper care of your windowsill garden.
Things you’ll need for a windowsill garden
For starters, there are a few things that you’ll need in order to get started:
- Containers – Use containers to grow your plants or herbs indoors and choose ones that go with the interior of your home. You can choose from clay pots, bottles, DIY wooden boxes or other options. All you need is drainage holes, the rest is up to you.
- Care routine – Be prepared with a suitable care and maintenance routine that will guarantee a healthy windowsill garden. Check the watering schedules, pruning or harvesting tips, and more.
- Sunlight – Most importantly, ensure that there is enough sunlight where your windowsill garden is located. Provide at least 5 hours of sunlight on a daily basis for successful growth.
Starting your windowsill herbs garden
Beginners may find starting a windowsill herb garden a real challenge but in reality, this is such a joyful and fun activity. Plus, you get to enjoy your own homemade herbs! First of all, make sure you’ve selected the right window. It should be under bright and direct sunlight. Choose the herbs and the containers for them. Make sure the containers are large and sufficient enough to host your herbs as they get bigger. Sometimes you might need the help of an LED grow light for your herbs if the window does not have enough light.
Choose one that is at least 6-12 inches deep. Next, select a quality potting mix that is well-draining and light. Add about a 2-3 inch layer of potting mix and put in your chosen herb plant by delicately loosening the roots before placing them in the new container.
Keep in mind that you can also grow your herbs from seeds. It’s up to you to decide whether you prefer to start your plants from seeds or from seedlings. Some plants like cilantro, microgreens, legumes, leafy greens, and others thrive best when started with seeds. On the other hand, tomatoes, succulents, alliums, and flowers are better off when started as seedlings or cuttings.
Timing, tending, and watering tips
It’s best to start the seeds indoors about a month and a half or two months before the last frost. Make sure they have enough space and avoid overwatering to avoid damaging the roots. Only water when the soil is dry. The temperatures should be between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (around 16-21°C). Also, it’s best to get rid of fertilizer salt buildup by flushing the pots with water.
Ideas for choosing your windowsill garden plants
There is a rich variety of options when it comes to the available plants that can thrive in windowsill gardens. The right choice will depend on your personal preferences, the goal behind the garden, and the amount of sunlight available in your area. Some of the most popular choices for windowsill gardens include:
- Herbs
- Leafy greens
- Microgreens
- Allium-family crops
- Succulents
- Legumes
- Small root vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Flowers
Even the tiniest of spaces can be turned into a garden with the right preparation and some commitment. We hope that this article will help you get started with windowsill gardening and will allow you to enjoy a beautiful and healthy garden.