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Miniature Herbal Indoor Garden
Introduction
This particular project can be a very rewarding way of showing the Deities just how dedicated you are to studying the Craft, and also to grow fresh herbs for your rituals rites. While growing herbs indoors, there are seven key areas to control when planning your garden. Once this is managed, otherwise difficult herbs are a piece of cake.
Seven Key Areas to Control for Your Herb Garden
Lighting
The main thing you have to worry about for your herb garden is sufficient lighting. Without the proper lighting, your herbs can wither and die, even if you water them plenty enough. Keep your herb containers in an area of your house that will be sure to get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. If this is not possible, there are garden grow lights on the market for very little expense out of pocket. Look around for the best style for your garden, as every garden will be different.
Temperature
Since this is an indoor herbal garden, you will want to keep the temperature of your house between 60-70° for maximum growth potential. Since most of you live somewhere that is not 75° all year round, this can be a bit difficult for growing an indoor garden for your herbs. I know it can get very in the summer months, so I don't recommend trying to start one or even keep a garden in the summer time. For the best results, I would wait until fall after the temperatures outside have decreased some.
Air Circulation
Air circulation is crucial for a healthy indoor herb garden. This combats insect infestation and bacterial infection. Allow airflow by opening doors between rooms or adding small fans to keep airflow moving. Do not overcrowd plants and do not allow foliage to touch.
A Basic Soil Mixture
Herbs don't just need any old type of soil. They need soil that is breathable and will also maintain a good amount of moisture, but again not too much or you will risk over-watering. The best type of soil is a mixture you can do made of compost, soil and Vermiculite. Vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands with the application of heat. The expansion process is called exfoliation. Use equal parts each and mix in appropriate sized container for the amount of soil you will need. This will depend on how many herbs you will have as well as the sizes of each container.
Fertilizers
Once you have decided on the herbs to use for an indoor garden, you will have to choose the right fertilizer. Not all fertilizers are the same, and despite some of the advertising claims, all fertilizers can be overused enough to damage your indoor herbs. For indoor feeding, use a water soluble type, or one that can be dissolved in water. These can can be a packaged granular, that you measure and dissolve in water before applying, or a fish emulsion, that is concentrated and must be added to water before applying. Apply this light mixture once a week. To apply fertilizer in the most efficient manner, water herb thoroughly, and then apply the weak fertilizer solution. This will increase the absorption by the plant. Despite your best efforts, it is important to do a monthly flushing out of your indoor herb plants. Simply place the herb plant in a sink and water completely, allowing the excess water to drain out. Once it stops dripping, water completely once again. This will remove any salts that build up in the plant's soil.
Watering and Over-Watering
When gardening, the most important care you will have to do is to keep it properly watered. Watering is important to keep the plants hydrated and cool but there is another side of watering to consider. It is over watering. When over watering, a plant's roots can begin to rot under the ground. The stem and leaves can also begin to grow mildew. Both of these spell disaster for herbs. If you believe that your herbs may be receiving too much moisture, check that the drainage is adequate. Standing water will rot the roots of even a moisture loving variety of herb. Water only the root area. Wait for signs that your herbs need watering instead of watering on a set schedule. Another way to water your herbs is by using a water globe. Watering globes appear to be ornamental balls made of colored glass with a long spike attached to them. They are pretty and functional as well. You fill them from the bottom, press them into the soil next to your plant and the water very slowly leaks into the soil as needed. Watering globes are perfect for deck or container gardens because they keep individual plants perfectly watered without fail.
Pests and Pesticide
Pests can also become a problem for indoor herb plants. Because there is no winter cold to kill off eggs, sometimes there will be a large number of tiny sucking insects that will suddenly appear around your herbs. If you can not flip the herb over, a spray bottle of the same soapy water can be sprayed on until it drips over the leaves. Be certain to spray the undersides of all the leaves because this is where the eggs and hatch-lings usually hide.
Choosing the Best Herbs
Every gardener has the task of planting what will grow best in their particular gardening environment. Herbs offer such a variety of plants that no matter what type of garden area you have, there are herbs that will not only grow, but thrive in it. There are many wonderful annual herbs that make the list of the best annual herbs to grow in your garden. Some included are chives, basil, parsley, oregano, mint, thyme, sage, lavender and cilantro. Of course, this is just a short list of choices. No matter what sort of gardening area you are able to use, there are plenty of herbs that will grow and look beautiful, taste great, and offer healing alternatives for you.
What Do I Do Now?
Your Garden is thriving and looking beautiful and not to mention, your house smells wonderfully intoxicating. Your meals taste great, thanks to the organic seasonings in that came from your garden. What else can you do with those herbs? You can use them in you rituals, of course. Make a satchel using your herbs for the purpose of of your spell. You can also make incenses and oils using some of those recipes you found online. The sky is the limit for your organic, home grown herbs. What will you do with your herbs?
Introduction
This particular project can be a very rewarding way of showing the Deities just how dedicated you are to studying the Craft, and also to grow fresh herbs for your rituals rites. While growing herbs indoors, there are seven key areas to control when planning your garden. Once this is managed, otherwise difficult herbs are a piece of cake.
Seven Key Areas to Control for Your Herb Garden
Lighting
The main thing you have to worry about for your herb garden is sufficient lighting. Without the proper lighting, your herbs can wither and die, even if you water them plenty enough. Keep your herb containers in an area of your house that will be sure to get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. If this is not possible, there are garden grow lights on the market for very little expense out of pocket. Look around for the best style for your garden, as every garden will be different.
Temperature
Since this is an indoor herbal garden, you will want to keep the temperature of your house between 60-70° for maximum growth potential. Since most of you live somewhere that is not 75° all year round, this can be a bit difficult for growing an indoor garden for your herbs. I know it can get very in the summer months, so I don't recommend trying to start one or even keep a garden in the summer time. For the best results, I would wait until fall after the temperatures outside have decreased some.
Air Circulation
Air circulation is crucial for a healthy indoor herb garden. This combats insect infestation and bacterial infection. Allow airflow by opening doors between rooms or adding small fans to keep airflow moving. Do not overcrowd plants and do not allow foliage to touch.
A Basic Soil Mixture
Herbs don't just need any old type of soil. They need soil that is breathable and will also maintain a good amount of moisture, but again not too much or you will risk over-watering. The best type of soil is a mixture you can do made of compost, soil and Vermiculite. Vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands with the application of heat. The expansion process is called exfoliation. Use equal parts each and mix in appropriate sized container for the amount of soil you will need. This will depend on how many herbs you will have as well as the sizes of each container.
Fertilizers
Once you have decided on the herbs to use for an indoor garden, you will have to choose the right fertilizer. Not all fertilizers are the same, and despite some of the advertising claims, all fertilizers can be overused enough to damage your indoor herbs. For indoor feeding, use a water soluble type, or one that can be dissolved in water. These can can be a packaged granular, that you measure and dissolve in water before applying, or a fish emulsion, that is concentrated and must be added to water before applying. Apply this light mixture once a week. To apply fertilizer in the most efficient manner, water herb thoroughly, and then apply the weak fertilizer solution. This will increase the absorption by the plant. Despite your best efforts, it is important to do a monthly flushing out of your indoor herb plants. Simply place the herb plant in a sink and water completely, allowing the excess water to drain out. Once it stops dripping, water completely once again. This will remove any salts that build up in the plant's soil.
Watering and Over-Watering
When gardening, the most important care you will have to do is to keep it properly watered. Watering is important to keep the plants hydrated and cool but there is another side of watering to consider. It is over watering. When over watering, a plant's roots can begin to rot under the ground. The stem and leaves can also begin to grow mildew. Both of these spell disaster for herbs. If you believe that your herbs may be receiving too much moisture, check that the drainage is adequate. Standing water will rot the roots of even a moisture loving variety of herb. Water only the root area. Wait for signs that your herbs need watering instead of watering on a set schedule. Another way to water your herbs is by using a water globe. Watering globes appear to be ornamental balls made of colored glass with a long spike attached to them. They are pretty and functional as well. You fill them from the bottom, press them into the soil next to your plant and the water very slowly leaks into the soil as needed. Watering globes are perfect for deck or container gardens because they keep individual plants perfectly watered without fail.
Pests and Pesticide
Pests can also become a problem for indoor herb plants. Because there is no winter cold to kill off eggs, sometimes there will be a large number of tiny sucking insects that will suddenly appear around your herbs. If you can not flip the herb over, a spray bottle of the same soapy water can be sprayed on until it drips over the leaves. Be certain to spray the undersides of all the leaves because this is where the eggs and hatch-lings usually hide.
Choosing the Best Herbs
Every gardener has the task of planting what will grow best in their particular gardening environment. Herbs offer such a variety of plants that no matter what type of garden area you have, there are herbs that will not only grow, but thrive in it. There are many wonderful annual herbs that make the list of the best annual herbs to grow in your garden. Some included are chives, basil, parsley, oregano, mint, thyme, sage, lavender and cilantro. Of course, this is just a short list of choices. No matter what sort of gardening area you are able to use, there are plenty of herbs that will grow and look beautiful, taste great, and offer healing alternatives for you.
What Do I Do Now?
Your Garden is thriving and looking beautiful and not to mention, your house smells wonderfully intoxicating. Your meals taste great, thanks to the organic seasonings in that came from your garden. What else can you do with those herbs? You can use them in you rituals, of course. Make a satchel using your herbs for the purpose of of your spell. You can also make incenses and oils using some of those recipes you found online. The sky is the limit for your organic, home grown herbs. What will you do with your herbs?
