Best Homemade Fertilizer For Indoor Herbs
Growing an indoor herb garden is a great way to connect with nature while growing our very own edible crops, this method of gardening places us in the driver’s seat where we are free to explore and grow our favorite garden herbs. Two of my favorite herbs that both my wife and I enjoy growing from our home garden are basil and rosemary.
What I also love about growing my own edibles is it’s just a fingertip or arm’s length away while eating fresh at the same time. But how do we keep our indoor herbs growing healthy so we can continually reap a good harvest? There are so many benefits to growing our very own indoor herbs that we will be discussing, including how to start your very own indoor herb garden but what we will be turning our attention to first is how to make homemade plant fertilizers?
How To Make Homemade Plant Fertilizer
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt as many of you know is used to take away aches and pains so if you had a hard day at the office or you may have maybe done a lot of bending in your garden or keeping your heart rate up by working out in the gym then epsom salt will work wonders. Soaking in a tub of warm water and epsom salt has proven to bring great relief.
But do you know that epsom salt can also remove the aches and pain that your plants face, adding 1 tbsp of epsom salt to a 1-gallon container of water that you boil your veggies in will work wonders? Allow the water to cool first then add epsom salt, mix or shake thoroughly and you’re set to go.
Citrus Peels
Fresh citrus peels are loaded with vitamins, simply boil fresh water along with your fresh citrus peels. Let this mixture sit for half-day and then apply it to your soil. This makes a great nutritious energy drink for your indoor garden herbs, this mixture has also been known to “control garden pests and diseases”.
Vegetable Water
Once you’ve boiled your veggies don’t throw away the water because if you do you will be trashing a lot of vitamins. Allow the water to cool and then apply it to your herbs.
Boil Eggs
The water of boiled eggs also contains nutrients, once those eggs are boiled let the water cool, and then water herbs.
Coffee Ground
Coffee ground can easily be applied by working it into the soil around your herbs.
How To Grow Indoor Herbs
1. When growing indoor herbs it’s best to use containers that have drain holes for water drainage because if the water doesn’t find a way to escape after you watered your herbs will lead to root rot. The container size can be anywhere from 6 inches or larger depending on the size of your herbs at maturity. The container should also have a saucer to catch the water that drains.
2. Use a good indoor quality garden soil mix or organic soil, this type of soil will hold the right amount of water while allowing the excess water to drain.
3. All garden plants need some sort of lighting to survive whether growing plants indoors or in an outdoor garden, your herbs should be placed in an area that gets full sunlight or the light requirements for that particular herb. A great area to place herbs is on your kitchen window sill or a south-facing window that gets lots of sunlight. 6 or more hours of sunlight is sufficient.
4. The correct way to water indoor garden herbs is to wait until the first top few inches of soil feel somewhat dry before watering again. Never allow the soil to dry out completely or overwater that can cause your herbs to wilt and in some cases even die. To check the soil moisture level stick your finger into the top few inches of soil.
Another method that can be used to water your herbs is if your herbs are growing in 6-inch containers the container can be placed in your kitchen sink. Ensure however that the sink is empty, once your herb containers are in the sink with a watering can or a container that holds water begin to water your herbs.
Or if you prefer, hold each container under the tap and let the water run slowly, this will help the soil from being disrupted or washing out of the container along with the soil having sufficient time to absorb the water. Do this for all of your containers, once all of your herbs have been watered and the containers drip or water discontinues to run from the container drain holes return them to their previous location.
Herbs That Grow Best Indoors
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Oregano
- Sage
- Parsley
- Mint
- Thyme
- Chives
The Benefits of Growing Indoor Herbs
- You can save a few bucks on your grocery bill
- Better tasting
- Foods are grown in a safe environment
- Foods can be grown without the use of harmful pesticides
- Indoor gardens are low-maintenance
- You can extend the season by growing year-round
- Less insect attack
- Helps to add to the aesthetics of your indoor living space
- Add variety and flavor to your favorite dishes
The final word on homemade plant fertilizer
Staring an indoor herb garden is so beneficial including making your very own homemade fertilizers, this way of gardening is a great way to connect with nature indoors while eating fresh and saving those hard-earned dollars. I believe that the time has presented itself to us to begin to think outside of the box. This is a great way to provide both for us and our families even sharing what we have grown with a friend or even a neighbor or two. Go for it don’t just take my word for it, I am sure you will be happy with the results, what that said let’s get started on your indoor herb garden and begin to reap a bountiful harvest.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
There is no doubt that fresh vegetables being so close and accessible is so wonderful. I know from growing my own gardens, the proper fertilizer is so needed in order to have healthy growing plants. If we desire to harvest a consistently productive and healthy garden, we must understand what fertilizers are needed. Making our own homemade plant fertilizers, is an important lesson to learn as we can practice conservation and safe money on needing to purchase the product. Thank you for all the great tips on making good fertilizer easily. The bobus on how to grow herbs is also an incredible resource!
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing, it’s great to have a garden that can save those hard-earned dollars as you garden the safe way. All the best to you and have a good day!!