Photo from Freepik
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Let’s talk about fighting back against those crazy food prices. With groceries up a whopping 28% since 2019, it’s time to get strategic – and that means I’m planting an indoor herb garden! Those tiny $4 packages of herbs from the grocery store? I’m kissing them goodbye.
Here’s my indoor herb garden game plan:
Sunlight is King
Choosing the perfect headquarters location is everything. I need a spot with 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily – South or west-facing windows will be best. I have several windows facing south so this is not a problem. No sunny window at your house? You can use grow lights.
Container Considerations
Amazon has quite a selection of indoor gardening options from simple terra cotta pots to self-watering plater boxes and hydroponic systems. It was fun researching the options.
Herb Care
Luckily this isn’t rocket science. Caring for an indoor herb garden is easier than you might think, especially if you use a self-watering or AeroGarden hydroponic systems like the ones linked above. You’ll want to rotate your plants occasionally for even sun exposure. Check soil moisture regularly – water when the top inch feels dry. Avoid drowning your plants – root rot is real. I unfortunately have learned the perils of overwatering the hard way. When harvesting, cut no more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. Regular trimming encourages fuller growth.
Indoor Gardening Superstars
These are the herbs I purchase most often in those plastic packs from the grocery store. I want to be intentional with my seed choices. In the past we’ve grown what we thought might be fun and not necessarily what we need or use most often.
Thyme: Low maintenance and loves sunlight. Thyme thrives in full sun but will tolerate east/west windows.
Basil: Needs ample sun. Pinch tops frequently to encourage fuller growth.
Rosemary: Grows best in south-facing window but requires good drainage.
Parsley: Thrives in full sun but will tolerate east/west window but this results in slower growth.
Chives: Easy-going herb.
Cilantro: Quick-growing which is great because I use a lot of it in my cooking.
By investing a few dollars in seeds and some basic supplies, I’m hoping to slash my grocery bill and have fresh herbs when I need them. Who said saving money can’t be fun and delicious? Happy herb growing!
Note: I’m testing both a self-watering system and hydroponic system. I’ll post an update with photos on how they are doing.
Leave a Reply