starting herbs in the house, the method.
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
January 21, 2013 12:34pm CST
I do have a herb garden outside but it is covered with snow an since I am widowed lady, I do not like the idea of buying herbs all the time and do not like those squeezie packages that have additives in them. Just before Christmas I bought one of those chia herb boxes that have the spongie peatmoss that you add the water and put the seeds on top. I also had a parsley plant that I had had outside and was now inside and going to seed plus a basil plant that was on its last legs, but is still surviving. They had had the indoor plant soil and now the parsley pot has several seedlings, but the ones from the Chia plant are not that well.
I think it is because my house does not have wide window sills to put the plants on. I was able to put a box in my hitchen to raise the plants and hope that works better.
But it seems that if you use potting soil rather then those peatmoss spongie things, your chance of sprouting and getting the plants stronger increase.
I do know there are planter containers with grow lights, but feel these are a bit expensive and you have to have the light on all the time except when it is dark and what happens when you go away for a few days.
So what is your opinion on all this?
5 people like this
13 responses
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jan 13
I can't grow as much as my friends who have very large window sills. It seems the company who made our house did not think of it, nor did they think about putting a place to put the brooms. I guess they considered that we did not have plants in the house, no one would give us potted plants, and that the maid would come in every day to clean the house and bring her own equipment. Oh and they did a terrible job of putting the telephone jacks in the house as well.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16547)
• China
24 Jan 13
I envy you for having a herb garden.Since I live on the first floor,so I grow flowers in the flowerpots.I often visit the flower market and buy some flowers with flowerpots and never use peatmoss sponge ,planter containers and the like.However I usually change the potting soil once a year.I have no indoor plant and haven't heard of the chia,basil and parsley and don't know if those plants can suffer a cold winter.The minimum temperature in winter is usually 10 degrees below zero C. where I live.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Jan 13
Actually the Chia plants is a brand name, although we can buy chia in the health food stores. I do not think that peatmoss sponges are that good especially for coriander, as the seeds have to push through them. With the parsley it was much easier. Basil does not work in the cold, but we have heavy snow cover and that protects the other herbs. You could grow basil and parsley in indoor plants. But the basil has to stay inside when it becomes cold.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
25 Jan 13
Maybe I should plant more basil plants inside because there was a very annoying fly. I did wonder if you can cut down a basil plant, that is take off the top that has leaves and it will re-sprout or do I have to leave some of the top leaves.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16547)
• China
25 Jan 13
Oh,I never thought the Chia plants is a brand name.It sounds like you grow more herbs and spices than flowers.Over here,some people grow the basil due to its smell that repels flies.
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I have a grow light but I don't like to use it because I can tell a difference in my electric bill when I do. I also have narrow windowsills (which I hate!), but my brother took a six inch wide board and drilled holes in my (metal!) windowsill and attached the board so I have a decent sill at least at the kitchen table. I use it to start some plants in the spring and I also use it for other plants throughout the winter.
It was a cheap fix and has really come in handy. I'm thinking about doing the same thing in two small southern windows which will really help in starting plants of any kind.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Jan 13
I do have a jerry rigged plastic box with a board on top to place my plants, but I think your idea is better as it will be permanent, because i might need to use the boxes. I am not good at building things - sort of the kind who would hit my finger with a hammer, and it would be better then using grow lights. I am trying to reduce my utility bill.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Jan 13
hi suspenseful I wish I had more flat space inmy room as I used to do well growing African violets in side if I did not over water
them. i used to raise herbs inside doing pretty much what you are dingbu t here I an in this retirement center so I do not get to doing any cooking and boy do I miss that.I fo und potting soil workds better too.
them. i used to raise herbs inside doing pretty much what you are dingbu t here I an in this retirement center so I do not get to doing any cooking and boy do I miss that.I fo und potting soil workds better too.2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jan 13
That hurts. That is one thing I do not like about retirement centers, you cannot do what you want. My daughter-in-law's grandmother lives in a center and they have a piano, but I guess no one can use it. And I suppose the same thing applies to growing things inside. My mother-in-law was able to grow African Violets but she was allowed a balcony, but there were some in the place who were not given that privilege. She could cook in her room, but there was not room to do it comfortably.
1 person likes this
@zaybrie (9)
•
22 Jan 13
If you are worried about your plants not getting enough light, you can fix it very simply. There are certain lights you can buy to give them the UV lights they need, however those are pricey. Do you have a chair or stool. If you can get it near a window, the plant will actually grow towards the light so it will get enough.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Jan 13
I checked those lights and they are too expensive. I do have my herbs on a plastic box with a wooden board on top and that is right next to the kitchen window. It seems to be doing better then having them at the front window. The thing is that I have a table in the front, but I have to pull it back because it gets in the way of the curtains. I do not have any kitchen curtains so that boxes can stay, but the coriander plants are still slow.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 Feb 13
I actually won one of the planter things and have not tried using it yet. Might have to actually considering trying it out though. I know they always say herbs and such especially when grown by hand are good for you, but it takes time, and when you work the hrs. I do, sometimes the time is not there. How is everything going now?
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
3 Feb 13
I do not think those peat moss pallets are any good, because the seeds have to push through the pellets even when they are soaked. It is like the seed is sticking on top of a sponge. The instructions were if you planted chives, to poke a hole in the sponge but that did not do any good. I put potting soil on top of the cilentro seeds and that worked better. If if were not so cold and I were not so watching my budget, I would walk down and restart the herbs again using real potting soil, and maybe getting growth lamps.
@GardenGerty (157671)
• United States
21 Jan 13
If you even have a table lamp that is on a lot, you can put the starters there. If you worry about going away, a timer that works for a Christmas Tree would work for a lamp for your plants. The sponge should work and when the starts have four leaves they should be ready to transplant. Maybe you should check the directions, but it also may not be warm enough in your windows. . . so that is why a lamp would help.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jan 13
I found that my kitchen window has more light. I do put the plants on a cutting board on one of those plastic crates and that makes it closer to the light. I did put a plastic bag over them when they were on top of the fridge as recommended but that made them more stingier. I suppose with those lamps it has to be one with a fluorescent light and not the regular incandescent light.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
21 Jan 13
I was actually thinking of getting those Chia Herb Boxes even though they look so dorky. It was simplicity I was after since I lack a green thumb. I did plant potatoes inside and they are blossoming, though I'm not sure what lies beneath. Let us know if the Chia does any better. Still thinking of getting them. 
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Jan 13
Well with the chia, the dill grew up and so did the curly parsley, and the coriander just started to sprout. I do have some extra larger pots down stairs, so will try to put them in them. Do not like the idea of peat pellets though. Chives not so good, so will have to buy another pkge of seeds. They say to put all the seeds in the pkge in the pot, but I would suggest putting only a few in, then you do not have to thin them out so much.
1 person likes this
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
22 Jan 13
Here is a relatively easy fix for skinny window sills. Measure the length of your window sills...Go to your local hardware that sells wood. Get them to cut a piece of wood as long as your measurements and 8" wide. Go to the decorative wood area and find 2 prcut blocks for each window.
You will need a drill, screws, a drill bit slightly thinner than your screws and a screw driver tip for the drill. Use phillips size 6 0r 8 screws.
Lay the board on the window sill. Take a pre-cut block and put it against the verticle wood or plaster side of the window. Make sure that it is down tight against your board as this is all that will hold the board in place. Put two screws into the pre-cut block...then do the other end of the board on the window sill. You do not need anything screwed into the long board...It will stay put just fine with the pressure of the little blocks...I have done this in every apt, I have ever lived.
If you cannot do this yourself, I am sure that you can find a willing male volunteer somewhere...
This is the easiest cleanest way to make a little window shelf with the least damage to the window...just 4 screw holes per window. You do not need screw anchors as there is a piece of wood right there that frames out the window all around. A perfect anchor already in place.
Best of luck. I hope you do this. It is the only way I can grow anything since I live in an apt.
This is the easiest cleanest way to make a little window shelf with the least damage to the window...just 4 screw holes per window. You do not need screw anchors as there is a piece of wood right there that frames out the window all around. A perfect anchor already in place.
Best of luck. I hope you do this. It is the only way I can grow anything since I live in an apt. 2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jan 13
I do have a couple of friends who will do that. I will have to buy the wood. Right now, I have the plants on a plastic crate with a carving board on top and that is working quite well, that is, until I need the carving board.
i
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215852)
• Chile
21 Jan 13
I grow hebs in containers, but mix normal soil with potting soil. I have tried all sort of manmade soils and nature works better for me. Plants need light (it diesn´t have to come from the sun) and water. Some are more hardy that others, some need more water. In my experience, parsley needs a lot more water and space than oregano. I have chives and the best way to have them is to cut them all the time. I hope this helps
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.@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Jan 13
I got some herb starter from my friends that were in this tin foil container and they worked quite well, except for the chives. So I decided to get one of the Chia starters, but figure that maybe I should have put the peat pot in larger pots and covered it with dirt since the seeds, well the coriander seeds just stayed on top. Had no trouble with the dill and the parsley seeds although they were not the regular Italian parsley I liked. I had an extra pot to put the chives in, but so far have not had any success. It could be that they require a more moist climate and not as dry as it is here in winter. I do love chives with deviled eggs and it is too cold to go to the garden place for more seeds.
1 person likes this
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
21 Jan 13
here in mexico many start them in plastic containers that sodas come in. These you can very easy make holes in the bottom. Also they come in all sizes 1-2-3 lts.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jan 13
I do not drink that many sodas and are more inclined to recycle them. We do have these small yogurt containers that might work.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Jan 13
I suppose you also have to put them in a pot full of dirt, but I am thinking would the better method would doing this or using the peat pellets and putting the seeds on them. Of course, you would have to water them.
I just hope you were not being silly by suggesting I just put the seeds on the window seed sans dirt or peat pellets and just like magic take its course, and even without soil or a nutrient solution, they would sprout up, but for some reason I think you are.
