With proper light, fresh herbs can be enjoyed through winter

If you’ve found yourself missing the savory delight of fresh herbs from your summer gardens, perhaps this winter you’ll try your hand at growing some indoors.

While growing plants indoors comes naturally to some, many struggle to find the proper balance of light and moisture levels. Some herbs perform well naturally in the home, accepting a wide range of light levels, one of the most difficult resources to acquire during the winter months.

Mint, lemon balm and parsley do well in less light than many ordinary houseplants. Basil, dill, oregano, rosemary and marjoram are also easily grown indoors. A sunny windowsill with south or southeastern exposure is usually an excellent place to propagate and grow most potted herbs.

The most economical means of growing herbs indoors is to start them from seed. One package of parsley seed, for example, can yield hundreds of tiny plants. Herbs we would ordinarily start by direct sowing into the garden soil can be started indoors in a three-step process that practically guarantees success.

Before seeding takes place, consider what spatial resources you have. If purchasing plant shelves or stands is out of the question, most sunny windowsills are perfectly adequate for starting herbs. If windowsill space is a limiting factor, decide how many full-sized potted herbs your area can handle and base your seed sowing volume on that space.

For example, perhaps you know you can only fit six 6-inch pots on your south-southeastern windowsills. Each pot is only big enough to accommodate a single plant of most herbs, and since you’ve decided to grow three different types, you’ll know that you only have to germinate a handful of seeds of each type of herb to get your six plants.

Step one: Fill a plastic plant tray with a potting medium that has been formulated for starting seeds. These mixes can usually be found at farm and garden stores and greenhouse garden centers. Scatter seeds over the medium in rows, carefully marking the row with a tag to identify the plant type.

Follow the seed package directions pertaining to germination requirements for light. Some seeds require darkness to germinate and need to be covered with soil. Others require light and need to stay exposed. Water the seeds so that the growing medium stays wet, but not saturated.

Some people prefer to cover the tray with plastic wrap to trap moisture near the soil surface, while others would rather be vigilant, applying water with a spray bottle when the surface starts to dry. Whatever method you prefer, remember that seeds need water to germinate and that the tiny developing roots have very little tolerance for drying out.

Step two: The first set of leaves to appear are called cotyledons and often look similar from species to species. The second set are called “true leaves” and they usually take on characteristics of the mature leaves of each species. Once the tiny plants have produced their first set of true leaves, thin out the seedlings by pinching or cutting the stems of the weakest plants.

Step three: When the seedlings are large enough to handle, (usually by the time they’ve developed their second set of true leaves) prepare to move them to their individual pots. Fill the pots to 1.5 inches below the rim with potting soil and, handling the seedlings by their leaves, transplant the herbs into the pots. Gently press the soil around the roots of the seedling and water each pot well.

Unlike decorative houseplants, herbs work hard for us. Chances are that the ones we’ll select to grow indoors this winter have culinary uses, and will be harvested regularly to enhance our cooking. If you plan to enjoy your herbs all winter long, be careful not to underestimate how many you’ll need. If you find your windowsills can’t accommodate your spatial needs, consider investing in fluorescent lighting and a plant table to supplement the natural light and available space.

Next week’s column will feature tips on long-term care of indoor herbs.

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, RR1, Box 2120, Montville 04941, or e-mail them to dianagc@ctel.net. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.