Have you begun dreaming about the beautiful garden that you will plant this coming spring? Are you thinking about those fresh fruits and veggies you will get to enjoy? Are you combing through your seed catalogs, looking for the perfect new plant?
Of course planning your future garden is fun, but there is nothing better than fresh herbs to enhance your meals in the middle of winter, especially if you have the joy of growing those herbs yourself.
Why grow an indoor herb garden? Well, it’s easy to do; green plants in your home help to clean your air; growing indoor plants brings lush greenery to your home; and you can eat fresh, homegrown salads all year long.
Webster’s Dictionary defines an herb as a seed-producing annual, biennial or perennial that is valued for its medicinal, savory or aromatic qualities.
Most culinary herbs that we enjoy are of Mediterranean origin, so they like lots of sun. A south-facing windowsill for your indoor garden is your best option, with west-facing windows coming in close behind. You want to make sure your plants are getting the most light possible.
Many culinary herbs such as rosemary and oregano require at least four hours of direct sunlight each day to continue growing throughout the winter. When the sun is low on the horizon, light is less direct, so sun-loving herbs may require more light than they receive even on a south-facing windowsill. Because of this, some indoor gardeners elect to use supplementary grow lights. Grow lights can be purchased at garden centers and most major hardware stores.
The soil you use is another important factor in your container herb garden. Generally, the best option is to use a soilless medium that is light weight and holds water and nutrients well. If you use a soil mix, you will want to make sure it is free of weeds, insects and diseases. Using soil directly from the ground into a container does not work well because it will not provide adequate drainage and air movement.
Containers tend to dry out more quickly than ground soil. Therefore, containers require more frequent watering. Water routinely each time the soil begins to dry out. Be sure to water the plants at the base in their containers, not the top of the plant. Herbs with similar water requirements can be placed together. For example, dill, cilantro and parsley like similar amounts of water, so they can be planted together. Or, plants can be individually planted in separate containers.
The way herbs are prepared and used can vary widely and this can influence their culinary use. For best flavor results, add dried herbs near the beginning of the cooking process to provide sufficient time for the herbs to rehydrate. Fresh herbs are usually added during the last part of cooking. Herbs in uncooked foods, such as salad dressings, dips and fruit mixes, need time to blend flavors, so add them as far in advance of serving as possible.
With a little planning and maintenance, you can enjoy an indoor herb garden all year long. For more information about growing herbs indoors, please visit https://extension.colostate.edu.
Information from this article was taken from: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/731.pdf and https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/nutrition-food-safety-health/herbs-preserving-and-using-9-335/.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered every other month at the CSU Extension office, generally on the third Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 246-5931 to register.
Check out the online option on our website, https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
Pruning workshop
Join Colorado State University Extension Director Cindi Galabota for a pruning workshop at the Yellow Jacket Southwest Colorado Research Station (northwest of Cortez) on March 13, leaving Pagosa Springs at 6:30 a.m. The cost is $15 per person. Space is limited.
Call the Extension office at (970) 264-5931 or email cindi.galabota@colostate.edu to register.
