YES, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR FRESH HERBS IN WINTER

 

Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. The last couple of years I have found a passion in cooking with fresh herbs from the garden. I do dry many of them for use in the winter but there is just something about fresh that adds that extra punch of flavor to so many dishes.

I have tried over-wintering them in pots, followed all the instructions and they always fail to survive…even for a short period. I think a lot of the problem is watering, they are very finicky so it doesn’t take much to be a little too much or not enough water. Doing a little research, I have found there are two methods that takes the question of how much to water completely out of my hands.

One way is to build a hydroponic indoor herb garden and the other is a self-watering herb garden. Of course, the first method is soilless while the second one uses a good potting soil. The hydroponic herb garden is a little more sophisticated while the second one is pretty simplistic. There are merits to both ways:

HYDROPONIC INDOOR HERB GARDEN

The method described here is from Epic Gardening. For around $80 in materials, you can build your own mini hydroponic indoor herb garden that holds eight pots. This may sound like a lot of money for eight plants, but considering just one herb, such as basil, this process would save $50 per year for someone who bought basil year-round.

Materials you will need include:

*Container of some sort. A tote from the dollar store works great. Just keep in mind that you may want to spray paint it if you buy an opaque one since any light that gets in will encourage algae growth and too much algae will interfere with the plants’ root systems by blocking the amount of nutrients they can absorb. Too much light will warm the water and stunt the plants.

*Air Stone. This will evenly distribute the small bubbles of air. Air bubbles oxygenate the water so that the roots that will be setting in water all the time get enough oxygen and don’t drown and wilt.

*Air Pump. This will oxygenate the nutrient mixture. You don’t need a large one, opt for the smallest and cheapest.

*Airline tubing. Use this to connect the pump to the air stone. Black works best because it will discourage algae buildup. Aquarium supply stores carry these.

*Airline holders. Also found at aquarium supply stores, these hold the tubing down so that the air stone stays at the bottom of the reservoir.

*pH testing kit. Crucial since herbs are not able to absorb nutrients at optimum levels when they are not at the correct pH balance. Most tap water is between 7.0 and 8.0 and herbs like it somewhere between 6.0 and 6.5.

*Hydroponic nutrients. Nutrients need to be mixed with water in the right amounts. General Hydroponic Floral Gro is a good starter one.

*Two-inch net pots. These are what will hold the plants.

*Hydroponic Growing Medium. These are like expanded clay pellets and give the roots something to hold onto when they are first starting.

*Plants. Either buy seeds or seedlings.

To begin, wash and dry the tote and paint it if applicable. Place a net pot parallel to the top of the container and mark where the bottom is. This will be the water line. Place a piece of tape from there to the bottom and use this for the water level gauge.

Next space out where the net pots will be on the lid and drill holes to set them in. Drill an eighth-inch hole in the side of the tote just below the top edge and feed the water line through this hole. After using suction cups to secure it to the top and bottom, connect it to the air stone at the bottom.

Now, you are ready to fill the tote with water to the water line and test its pH with the kit. If the pH is too high, add a few drops of General Hydroponics pH down; likewise if it is too low, add a few drops of General Hydroponics pH up and then retest until it is in the 6.0 to 6.5 range.

Next, mix your nutrients. General Hydroponics Flora Gro is a good one. Mix one quarter teaspoon per gallon for seeds and one tablespoon per gallon for plants. Then, add a little growing media to the net pots and add plants, washing all the dirt off.

Place the container where it gets as much natural light as possible, at least six hours per day. Keep the water level constant and pinch off any buds that appear. Your herbs should flourish.

 

SELF-WATERING HERB GARDEN

This simple idea comes from the website, “Dawn, I think we could be friends.”

If you want to use potting soil instead of going hydroponic, this method is for you. Cut as many 2-liter pop bottles in half for as many pots as you want, making sure they are clean. Then drill a quarter-inch hole in the cap. Make a wick by tying five or six strands of cotton string together, tying a knot about two inches from one end. Then insert the wick through the hole, with the knot on the underside of the bottle.

Add water to the base of the bottle and then insert the top part with the cap down into the bottom part. Fill the top part with potting soil one-third full. Spread the strands of the wick and keep filling, stopping about an inch from the top. It will typically hold about two cups. Then add seeds and cover.

As the seeds grow, the roots find their way to the wick so the top doesn’t have to be wet for them to get all the hydration that is needed. If the plants are getting too much moisture, cut a couple strands of wick off; likewise, if not enough moisture, add a couple strands. Typically, three inches of water in the bottom will water the plant for up to two weeks.

The self-watering herb garden is by far the easiest to make and use. With either method, herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano, chives, sage, mint, tarragon, marjoram and many others lend themselves well to growing indoors, as well as some greens. Basil is a good one to learn with as it is a fast grower.

Always use good soil and maintain correct moisture levels. This may take a little trial and error to get it right. Never make the mistake of letting herbs bloom because that leads to bitterness. Even if you don’t use all you cut, make sure and trim back often, just above a set of growing leaves. Many people trim the bottom leaves. This is a mistake as these are the solar panels for the herb’s growth. Instead, trim the tender leaves at the top.

I am going to expand this second idea to include other plants besides herbs. I always have trouble keeping the correct moisture level.

There is nothing that adds that extra zing to dishes like herbs and fresh insures that I will always have on hand what I need. A bonus is that the kitchen should smell delightful from their aroma. Yes, I can cook fresh all winter…with just a little effort!