Plant a Windowsill Herb Garden

How to Grow Health-Boosting Herbs

As we learned on Day 1 of the Constant Health Challenge, healthy eating starts with proper preparation. Herbs are remarkably easy to grow and all you need is a windowsill to have fresh cooking herbs all season long. When the summer starts to fade into darker months, you can even pluck the last of your herb harvest and hang the leaves upside-down to dry. Store the dried herbs in an airtight container to use throughout winter. Sure beats six dollars a pop for a few tablespoons of dried herbs, eh?

Basil, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, parsley, thyme, sage, and dill are all great choices for an indoor garden. You can buy starter seedlings or grow from seed just as easily. To ensure proper care for each herb variety, consult The Old Farmer’s Almanac Herb Growing Guide for information on soil, light, and care preferences.

What you’ll need:

• A sunny windowsill
• Pots with holes for drainage and saucers
• Herb seeds/seedings of choice
• Potting soil
• Fertilizer

Step 1: Fill the pots with soil

For best results, choose a seed-starting mix, as garden soil can be too heavy for fragile herbs.

Step 2: Sow seeds

Each herb seed will require a different planting depth; check the seed packet for specific instructions. As a general rule, cover seeds with enough soil for 1 to 3 times their size.

Step 3: Create the perfect environment

Most herbs will thrive in a sunny south-facing windowsill. Place the herbs away from the windows so the leaves don’t come in contact with cold glass.

Step 4: Care for your herb garden

Water your herbs enough to keep soil moist without drowning seeds. Generally, this means watering your herbs moderately once a day or every other day. When the seedlings start producing leaves, trim the top of the plants often just above a set of growing leaves.

Step 5: Watch your herbs thrive!
With thoughtful care and proper conditions, your herb garden will be producing fresh, tasty herbs in no time! When you’re ready to harvest and start munching, check out these helpful tips for cooking with fresh herbs and these fresh herb recipe ideas to showcase their bright flavor!

Spend all day gardening and feeling spent? Dissolve two scoops of Constant Health Daily in water or fresh juice for a boost of energy to get you through the rest of your day. You gave your plants the nutrients they need to thrive, now do the same for your body! Thanks for taking today’s Step Toward Constant Health. Keep up the good work!