Indoor Herb Gardening
Mary Beth Culver, Gul Behsudi, and Sid Abel
College of
Agriculture and
Natural Resources
What you will take away from today
 How to successfully grow herbs indoors
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Cultivation
Soils/Growing medium
Nutritional needs
Insects and disease control
 Herbs to grow indoors
 Harvesting your bounty
 Sources of Information
Herbs
Plants valued for their flavor,
fragrance, medicinal and
insecticidal qualities or
economic or industrial use,
or in the case of dyes, for the
pigments they provide
History
“An herb is the friend of physicians and the
praise of cooks.” – Charlemagne
Lascaux cave paintings depict herbs dating back
perhaps as much as 25,000 years!
Referenced in Indian, Chinese and Egyptian writings
for medicinal uses
In the Middle Ages, herbs were uses to preserve meat,
mask odors, and were associated with witchcraft and
paganism
First accounts of food use or in cooking date back to
the Romans
Why Grow Herbs?
Easily grown indoors or outdoors, in pots
or in the garden
Very little space is needed
Few pests or diseases
Rewards are tangible
Indoor Container Cultivation
Types of plants:
– Annuals
– Biennials
– Perennials
Grown from:
– Seeds
– Cuttings
– Division of roots
Well drained growing medium using
soil-less mix and compost or Leafgro
Indoor Container Cultivation
Prefer full sun or under grow lights
– 6 or more hours of sun daily
– Under lights, 14-16 hours under T-5
fluorescent lights (more expensive than
T-8 lights, 2-3 times the output)
Fertilize sparingly with a slow
release form, if at all
Water requirements depend
on indoor environment and location
Soils
 The right mixture:
50% compost and 50% soilless potting
mix, OR…
– 30% Topsoil (weedless commercial)
– 30% Compost
– 30% Peat Moss
– 10% Perlite
 Test soil pH
– 6.0-6.5 is optimal
Indoor Nutritional Needs
 Fertilizer: seedlings will require an
initial small dose
 Plants should be fed about every 2
weeks
 Most sources recommend natural or
organic – follow the label
 Water when the soil feels dry to the
touch – don’t drown them!
Insects and Disease
 Less susceptible possibly because of
their fragrance and flavors
 Major insects:
Aphids
Whiteflies
Mites
Slugs
Control of Diseases and Insects
 A healthy growing environment is
important to control insects and especially
diseases
 Mechanical control – preferred for light
insect infestation
 Chemical control of insects:
– Home Remedies - insecticidal soap, Neem oil,
lemon or vinegar spray
– Registered pesticides - Safer’s Insecticidal Soap
and EcoBlend Organic Insecticidal Soap
Ideal Indoor Herbs
 Most any herb can be grown indoors,
good light, water and the right
nourishment are key
 Food Favorites:
Sweet basil
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Parsley
Thyme
 Aromatic Favorites:
Lavender
Chamomile
Aloe vera
Harvesting and Preserving
Highlights
Harvesting:
•Flowers – Pick as they fully open
•Seeds – Fully ripe (no green showing)
•Leaves – depends on the species
Preserving:
•Freezing – Rinse well, pat dry, cut into small pieces and
place on waxed paper or ice cube tray wrapped in
freezer bags.
Drying:
•Similar to dehydrator directions; bundle stems
removing leaves near base, secure with elastic band,
hang in dark cool location.
References
• https://www.herbsociety.org/herbs/documents/BeginnersHerbG
arden_pdf.pdf
• http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/srb9606.htm
• http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/herbs/ne208hrb.htm
• http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/boulder/horticulture/pdf/Yea
r-Round%20herb%20Garden.pdf
• www.extension.umd.edu/hgic (search HG #600)
References
•
http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7751
•
http://clark.wsu.edu/volunteer/mg/gm_tips/Herbs.html
•
Herb gardening from ground up , 2012 by Sal Gilbert and Larry Sheehan
•
Homegrown herbs, 2011 by Tammi Hartung
•
Beautiful easy herbs, 1997 by Laurence Sombke
Resources
• Grow It! Eat It!
http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit
– We have all types of practical food gardening tips and
information. Check out our popular blog!
• Home and Garden Information Center
http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic
– Here you will find factsheets, photos, and videos. You
can also subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter.
– We answer gardening questions 24/7…just click
“Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts”
• Maryland Master Gardener Program
http://www.extension.umd.edu/mg
– Consider becoming a trained MG volunteer!
This program was brought to you by the
Maryland Master Gardener Program
Howard County
University of Maryland Extension