Herb Window Planter

Window planters are a convenient way to grow fresh herbs in your home.

Window planters are an easy and attractive way to grow herbs and flowers. Many herbs are well-suited to container growing, and a window planter makes it easy to cook with your favorite herbs. Whether it's a planter on your windowsill or an outside window box, with some know-how and basic materials you can have fresh herbs at your fingertips.

Planters

While you can find many types of planters for your herb garden, the main distinction is whether the box will go inside or out. Window box planters hang outside your window and make a good choice if you have a narrow sill or want to add interest to the view. Windowsill planters sit on the sill and should be used if you have screened windows or can't easily access an outside window box. Planters also come in materials from plastic to pottery and wood to wicker. Plastic planters won't soak up the water you give your plants and are relatively light but not the best environmental choice. Pottery can be heavy for a window box and pulls water away from the plant, but as an indoor sill planter can be attractive and sturdy.

The Right Conditions

Herbs need sunlight, nutrients and water but not always in the same amounts. For the best results from your window planter, choose a mix of herbs that likes the same or similar conditions. Your planter's not going to do well if giving one herb enough water means drowning the others. In general, herbs prefer loose soil that offers good drainage. Fertilize once at the beginning of the season and then stop. Too much fertilizer and your fresh herbs won't have much flavor.

Herb Selection

Some herbs grow particularly well indoors, such as chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, basil, lemon balm and thyme. They need relatively little light, so a window that gets indirect sunlight for several hours is fine. However, hours of direct sunlight might be too much for these plants. When planting in a container, consider the invasiveness of the herbs. Mint, for instance, will take over the entire planter if not contained.

The Right Mix

A good way to account for the different needs of your herbs and protect them from one another is to use smaller containers inside the planter. Some planters have dividers that can be fitted inside, which provides different plants with different environments. You can also use smaller pots tucked into the larger planter, which allows you to switch out herbs and bring the tender ones inside when it gets cold. Either way, cover the tops of the plants with mulch to help retain moisture and to unify the look of your planter.

References

• Bloomin' Garden; Growing and Drying Herbs; Margaret E. Coon, et al.
• All Garden Planters; Growing Herbs in Pots is Easy and Fun; Scott Gray
• The Herb Companion; Garden Spaces: Joyful Windows; Kathleen Halloran; April/May 2008
• Savvy Gardening; Herb Planters: Use Your Windowsill to Grow Garden Herbs Indoors or Out; April 2008