The colder season does not have to mean a break for gardeners who enjoy seeing the fruits of their efforts. Most plants cease growing in winter, and nature typically handles watering, pruning, and maintenance. However, there is a way to continue gardening through the winter, adding a splash of colour to the home along with tasty rewards.
Cultivating herbs on a windowsill during the cold months is remarkably easy and brings fresh flavour to dishes and a pleasant aroma to the home. Despite the process being very beginner-friendly, many people are unsure where to begin.
Growing Basil and Mint Indoors
The most common herbs can flourish in the cold, including basil. While basil originates from warmer regions, it can prosper with the proper setup, reports the Express. Select a small pot or seed tray with drainage holes, use a light, well-draining seed-starting mix or multi-purpose organic compost, and position it on a south-facing windowsill if available. A full-spectrum LED grow light also works well.
Pre-moisten the potting mix so it is damp but not waterlogged, scatter the basil seeds thinly across the surface, and press them down carefully. Cover them with a very light dusting of soil and place a clear plastic bag over the pot to retain moisture and warmth until they germinate, typically within 3 to 7 days.
Mint is an even simpler process, as it is more accustomed to the cold. Use an 8-inch-deep container with adequate drainage holes and fill it with a well-draining seed-starting or potting mix. Sprinkle the very fine mint seeds thinly on the surface of pre-moistened soil, avoiding burying them too deeply. Leave them uncovered or press them in very gently with a light dusting of about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of soil, then mist the top with a spray bottle so the tiny seeds are not washed away. Cover the pot in the same way during germination, which takes around 14 to 21 days.
Thyme and Chives for Winter Windowsills
Thyme genuinely flourishes in dry indoor environments and adapts well to even the most heated of homes. Plant it in a pot with a loose, fast-draining potting mix or pick up a young starter plant from a garden centre, and position it beside the sunniest window. Allow it to dry out completely between watering sessions, thoroughly soaking the soil before emptying the drainage saucer, and enjoy harvesting thyme throughout the winter months.
Chives are the ultimate winners when it comes to indoor cold-weather herbs. They cope well with the faint, low winter light and handle temperature changes on a kitchen windowsill with ease. Use a rich, moisture-retaining yet free-draining compost mix and position the pot on the brightest south-facing windowsill. Chives ideally require around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day.
