Growing Herbs Indoors- in pots
Open the shipping box as soon as possible upon arrival. Inspect your plants and check them for moisture. (The easiest way is to feel the potting medium with your finger.) If it is dry, bring your plants to the kitchen sink. Slowly add water to each pot. If the water immediately drains through, your plants are very dry. Continue to add water at intervals until the potting medium takes up the moisture. (Each pot will begin to feel slightly heavier in your hand.) When your plants have been hydrated, set the pots inside the cachepot, pot, or vessel that is designed to hold your herbs.
LIGHT & TEMPERATURE: Herbs are generally sun-loving plants and need 6–8 hours of direct sun, regardless of season. During the short days of winter, they must be placed in a sunny south window. Herbs prefer cool temperatures, especially at night. They are happiest where the nighttime temperature drops to 60°F, or even colder.
WATERING: Most herbs prefer to be kept on the dry side. Water only when the top 1⁄2” of potting mix is dry to the touch. Note: The plants will dry out at different rates. We strongly urge you to check each plant daily for dryness and to water each individually in a sink. Do not allow excess water to accumulate in the plant’s cachepot or saucer. If the bottoms of the pots are in contact with water, the plants will soon rot.
HUMIDITY: Although they prefer to have their potting mix on the dry side in winter, these herbs appreciate extra humidity in the air. Avoid placing herbs near sources of heat.
FERTILIZING: Do not fertilize in winter. From early April until mid-September, fertilize every 6 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (such as our 18-18-18 Grow Fertilizer, item #51011) mixed at 1⁄2 strength.
REPOTTING: After several months, these herbs may have outgrown their pots. Either repot them into a container that is about 2” wider than the current pot, or plant them out in the garden. If you wish to plant them in the garden, see “Growing Herbs Outdoors” below.
SUMMER CARE: Potted herbs will be healthier if they are moved outdoors for the summer. When temperatures warm in spring, acclimate them slowly to direct sun (start them in the shade and increase their exposure to full sun over the course of about 3 days). During summer, you’ll need to water potted plants much more fre- quently than you do in winter. Fertilize as directed (see above). Before the first fall frost, bring your plants inside.
GROWING HERBS OUTDOORS: Where they are not hardy or where growing conditions do not suit them (such as the summer heat and winter wet of the South), they are best kept in pots and overwintered indoors. In the garden, provide at least 6 hours of direct sun per day and very well-drained soil. Acclimate your plants to full sun as described under “Summer Care” above, and wait to plant until all risk of frost has passed.