Herb Gardens at Home: 6 Tips for Every Senior Green Thumb

Is there anything more wonderful than the taste of food you’ve grown in your own garden? Fortunately, when it comes to herbs, there’s no reason you can’t have them all year long! All you need is an available window or balcony, and you’ll have fresh herbs at your fingertips any time you want them. Here are six tips for every senior green thumb to grow herb gardens at home. 

1. Plant What You Use

There are a myriad of different herbs, and some herbs come in hundreds of varieties. While it might be tempting to plant them all for fun, you’ll get more use out of your herb garden if you stick to herbs you know you’ll use. Think about the types of food you make most often and the herbs they contain. Then, plant those. That way, you’ll have what you really love without losing space to herbs you’ll never use.

2. Purchase Plants

While you certainly can grow herbs from seed, you may have an easier time working with plants that have already been started. They’re much more forgiving and don’t require you to spend a lot of time trying to get conditions exactly right. Established plants are fairly inexpensive and will give you a ready supply of herbs with minimal work. Then, if you want to experiment with growing some other varieties from seed, you’ll still have your core garden to rely on.

3. Ensure Good Drainage

Drainage is important to the health of your herbs. If water accumulates in your pot, your herbs could suffer from an overgrowth of fungus. Fortunately, it’s simple to ensure your plants have adequate drainage. Start by choosing clay pots with large holes in the bottom. If you accidentally overwater your herbs, the clay will allow the soil to dry instead of holding the moisture in. Then, add a coir mat or coffee filter to the bottom of your pot. Water will be able to drain, but the soil will stay in the pot where it belongs.

4. Choose The Right Location

Growing your herbs outdoors on your balcony or in the garden can be a great choice during warm weather, but you’ll need to ensure your herbs receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. It’s best if your herbs get shade, too, though, especially during summer afternoons. The same goes for growing herbs indoors. Choose a southern-facing window so your herbs receive plenty of sunlight, and you’ll be able to grow them even in the middle of winter!

5. Use Good Potting Soil

Since most herbs are leafy and go directly into your food, sometimes without being cooked, you’ll need to pay attention to the soil you use for your own safety. Don’t dig up soil from outdoors since it could contain pests and bacteria. Instead, opt for good, high-quality potting soil. It’ll have the nutrition your herbs need, and it will drain easily, too. 

6. Harvest Frequently

Even if you’re not using your herbs as often as you’d like, you should still continue to harvest them to encourage new growth. This also prevents the plant from flowering and going to seed, which would end its life cycle. If you find that you’re not using as much as you’re growing, try drying herbs for future use, making a centerpiece for your table, or giving them away as gifts. 

Love gardening? At Normandy Living, all our suites include ample window space for herb gardens, and we offer a shared courtyard for outdoor gardening, too! Take a virtual tour of one of our suites here.