Healthy Eating – 5 easy steps when growing your own herbs

Recent trends show that many individuals are looking to eat both healthier and fresher. With that trend, growing herbs is gaining momentum. Grocery stores are starting to carry a number of potted herbs that, when properly maintained and cared for, can produce for a long time. Additionally, it is inexpensive to buy these potted herbs. So how do you care for potted herbs?

When buying planted herbs, such as mint or basil, or really any other herbs that you plan on keeping indoors, be sure to:

1. Get a plastic saucer to put under the pot the herbs are planted in. This way, you do not waste water and any fertilizer can stay in the pot for the benefit of the plant.
2. Be sure the soil is moist consistently. Most pots are small, so you won’t need a lot of water, but enough to keep the soil most. That will most likely require adding a little water every day.
3. Allow the herbs to have some sunlight. Put them next to a window so they can absorb the light. Be wary of leaving them outside – especially if it is cold or hot, as they have a lower tolerance for extreme conditions.
4. Be conscious of how you cut the herb – basil, for example, has small leaves. When cutting a leaf off, check for new growth below it. Make sure you carefully trim off a leaf without accidentally cutting off new growth.
5. As time goes on, you may need to replant into a bigger pot and add some fertilizer specifically designed for that specific herb.

Happy planting, eating and staying healthy!