The Perils of an Indoor Herb Garden Novice
I’ll just put this out there – I’m a total container gardening failure. Over the years, I’ve shared several posts about how I’ve started an indoor herb garden, only to end up with a bunch of sad, shriveled plants and no follow-up posts. The truth is, I completely and utterly suck at nurturing a tiny seed into a thriving herb plant indoors. Outside? No problem. But my indoor sprouts just seem to wither away, and I’ve yet to pinpoint the exact problem. Too much water? Not enough water? Too much sun? Too little sun? A cold draft? Sigh, I just don’t get it.
So when I received an email asking me to share some tips for planting a DIY indoor herb garden, I felt a little inauthentic, trying to portray myself as an indoor herb gardening guru. But then, inspiration struck during a recent Walmart trip, and I decided to give an indoor herb planter another shot. This time, I’m doing things a little differently.
A Portable Herb Garden Solution
The first change I made was to use a container that’s easily transported from indoors to outdoors and back again. Originally, I was just going to use a terra cotta planter that I already own, but then I spied this adorable utensil caddy at Walmart. It dawned on me that the galvanized steel and 6 compartments would be perfect for planting herbs, and the handle makes it super easy to carry it out of the house and back in again – you know, depending on the fickle spring weather.
The second change was that I purchased herb starters from the garden department at Walmart instead of trying to grow my herbs from seed. Yep, instead of caring for delicate seedlings, I figured tending to nearly mature plants would be so much simpler. And you know what? I was right. Even this early in the growing season, they had a great selection available, and I snagged the following herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and parsley. Basil was also on my wishlist, but I couldn’t find any basil plants in the garden department. However, I did end up finding one sad-looking little basil plant in the produce department, and I’m hoping that with a little love and care, it will flourish.
Planting the Portable Herb Garden
Planting my herbs in the utensil holder was a breeze. I started by adding some aquarium gravel to the bottom of each section to help with drainage. For most of the herbs, I could just peel off the top portion of the biodegradable pot and squeeze the whole thing down into a square. Then, I filled in any gaps with potting soil. The basil plant was quite a bit smaller than the others, so I did need to add some additional potting soil before setting it in, and I had to fill in quite a bit more around it.
I gave my planted herbs a small drink of water, and voila! Not only can I move my little DIY indoor herb planter around easily at will, but I can actually start using small cuttings from it right away. That’s what I call 10 minutes well spent.
The Joy of Fresh Herbs… Without the Struggle
Sometimes, the appearance of my favorite fresh herbs in the produce department is a bit questionable, so I’m thrilled to have a better option ready to use. And truthfully, each plant already yields about three times what I’d get in one of those small plastic clamshell containers for just about the same price – so it’s by far a more frugal option.
I can’t believe I didn’t think to try this easy herb garden hack sooner. Reading General Contractor is going to love having this fresh herb garden right at my fingertips. No more sad, shriveled plants, and no more questionable grocery store herbs. Just a thriving, portable indoor herb garden that I can easily move around as the weather demands. What’s your biggest challenge with an indoor herb garden? Need some new indoor herb garden ideas? Try a different approach with this indoor herb planter that can easily be transported outdoors depending on the weather. It’s a simple DIY indoor herb garden project that takes under 10 minutes.
Secrets to a Thriving Indoor Herb Garden
Of course, growing a thriving indoor herb garden doesn’t just happen overnight. There are a few key secrets to success:
Choose the Right Container
The container you choose is crucial. You want something that’s easy to move around, with good drainage. The galvanized steel utensil caddy I used is the perfect solution, but there are other great options as well. Gardenary recommends looking for “materials that are as close to their natural state as possible” like cedar, steel, and terra cotta clay.
Use a Well-Draining Soil Mix
Herbs hate sitting in wet soil, so you’ll want to use a well-draining soil mix. Gardenary suggests a blend of topsoil, compost, and coarse sand – a mixture they call the “103” – to give your herbs the perfect growing medium.
Choose Herbs with Similar Water Needs
When selecting your herbs, be mindful of their water preferences. Herbs like rosemary, oregano, and lavender prefer drier soil, while herbs like dill, cilantro, and basil like it more consistently moist. Grouping them by water needs will help you keep them all happy.
Harvest Frequently
Herbs are at their best when you’re constantly harvesting them. The more you snip off those fragrant leaves, the more the plants will produce. It’s a win-win!
Bringing the Outdoors In (and Back Out)
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned green thumb, I would really love for you to take on the challenge of not buying herbs from the grocery store anymore but growing your own. I know you’re going to love the experience. You can get started right away and have tons of fresh herbs all season long.
As the founder of Gardenary, I’ve consulted with hundreds of new and experienced gardeners and designed all kinds of kitchen gardens, from large to small and everything in between. And this portable indoor herb garden? It’s the perfect solution for anyone who wants the convenience of fresh herbs without the hassle of a traditional indoor herb garden.
So what are you waiting for? Go grab that utensil caddy from Walmart, pick out your favorite herbs, and let’s get planting!
