Simple and cost effective tips on sustaining herbs through the winter

Question

I have a kitchen with a skylight and I'm growing herbs in clay pots. But they are not doing very well. I have them in direct sunlight, and I water them just as they are looking a bit wilty by that I mean the leaves begin to droop. But they are not feeling out and filling out. I believe they need fertilizer, I don't want to use anything other than an organic fertilizer. However, I would like to make my own but where I live I can't make compost outside due to the smell. I'm also on a fixed income and I want to be more self-sustaining. I really need some suggestions and help with this dilemma. Thanks

Douglas Hunt · Answer

Herbs like bright sun, and lots of it, and it is hard to provide them that indoors, even with a skylight. I suspect that is the issue more than their needing fertilizer. My herbs are outdoors in pots and I have never fertilized them. What type of potting material do you have them in? Herbs do best in lean, well-draining soil. I also need to correct the notion that a compost pile smells. One with the proper mix of browns and greens that gets turned occasionally to introduce oxygen should have no more than a pleasant earthy smell. That being said, one thing you might want to try is vermicomposting, home composting with worms in a bin. Here is a post from @Barb Rosen to get your started: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/diy-project-vermicomposting-in-a-tub-in-a-few-easy-steps-1210854

Kathy · Answer

I buy herbs (basil, cilantro and parsley) in plastic pots from the grocery store. I have them sitting on a counter top that gets diffused afternoon sunlight, and they do really well. I don't fertilize them. If you are growing basil, pinch of some of the leaves, which encourages blooming. They survive all winter long, and once the soil warms up in the Spring, they get planted in my garden.

Sheri Ketarkus · Answer

I have Rosemary, basil, marjoram, sage and lavender in my east facing window. I cleaned egg shells, dried them and ground them up. Mixed in dried tea leaves. I put about a teaspoonful on top of the dirt every 4-6 weeks. They seem pretty happy. I'm real impressed that my lavender & basil R wintering over (I live in northern Wisconsin in zone 3 & it's cold here). Good luck

Margareth Whaley · Answer

I believe your herbs need more light.. also.. composting won't smell if you do it right.. I compost in a huge container with a lid... don't put in any meat or grease ect... open the lid and mix everyfew days.. The compost needs air to work.

Bonny McDaniel · Answer

I, too, want to say that proper composting does not smell bad...earthy smell as Douglas says. Only veggie, fruit, coffee grounds and egg shells in it besides leaves, some soil, etc and you have some lovely compost if you turn it and keep the right moisture. Or you could make compost tea...take a few spoonfuls of the compost (or some you buy)and put it in a container with water and let it 'steep' until a nice brown color...use it on your herbs. I wonder if the light from the skylight is too bright and hot and that is why your herbs wilt. Maybe the plants are too close to that source. If they stress out too much that might be why they aren't doing well. Do you have a southern window where you could place them?

Country NaNa · Answer

no other place would work in my home,all other rooms are much darker with blinds. but I could move them away from the windows to see if that would help. I'm very interested in the compost tea may be if I put ground up egg shells that might help them perk-up..lol Thanks Bonnie mcDaniel and Margareth Whaley

Rhonda B · Answer

I just want to add a few things-the herbs you listed all require different situations. Italian Parsley has a taproot and does not like to be rootbound-I would move it into a deeper pot. It can also handle some drying but I wouldn't let it consistently dry out to the point of wilting. Basil prefers moist well drained soil-you should not let it dry out completely and it should be fertilized occasionally. Sage prefers a dryer situation and really doesn't need to be fertilized very often-it also needs more light than the other 2. Hope this helps:-))

Simple and cost effective tips on sustaining herbs through the winter

DIY Project ~ Vermicomposting in a tub in a few easy steps!

Suggested Project Book

12 Gorgeous Ottoman Ideas That Will Make You Want to Put Your Feet Up

Other

More

Simple and cost effective tips on sustaining herbs through the winter

DIY Project ~ Vermicomposting in a tub in a few easy steps!

Suggested Project Book