Posted in Homemaking Secrets from My Dusty Shelves

A few years ago my DH bought new windows for our home.  We own a 1950's ranch and the house still had its original windows, so we bought replacements for the purpose of better efficiency.  As part of the deal, I asked my husband if I could have a garden box window in the kitchen.  It has been a dream of mine to have a fresh herb garden in my kitchen that I can snip from all year long.  Liam agreed and I have had a lovely window over my sink since then.

I had one problem, though.  I do not have a natural green thumb.  I have actually killed every plant I have ever owned.  So, while I had my dream window, I was afraid to pursue my dream herb garden for fear that I would kill it.

The first year I planted nothing.  The next year I bought 1 cilantro plant.  It wasn't long before I killed it.  Last year I planted cat grass for the cat to nibble and started some tomatoes and peppers for my outdoor garden (that never happened).  The cat never touched the grass and, yep you guessed it, I killed the tomatoes and peppers. 

This year I invested more time into reading about indoor herb gardens, I took a little extra care with the planters, and I involved my older 2 children in the process.  I am pleased to say that our little herb garden is flourishing, by the grace of God.  We have only a few plants, but I intentionally started small.  (Better to kill 5 plants than 10.  )  I have started to snip fresh herbs while I am cooking and add them right into the mixing bowl/ pan/ etc.  I am so excited!

I'll try to add pointers here while I learn as I go.  Many things may seem basic, but I knew nothing about taking care of plants when I started.

Some lessons learned about indoor gardening:

** Involve your children.  First, it makes you accountable to someone for the well-being and care of your plants.  Second, it's a wonderful learning experience for them.  Free science lessons with no lesson plans required!  Third, it gives them ownership.  They will take great pride in caring for the plants and using them in the kitchen (of course, you also have to let them help you with the preparation of food) when they know that these plants are growing under the care of their own hands.

** Make sure your pot has drainage holes and put a layer of pebbles, marbles, or broken terra cotta in the bottom of the pot before adding soil.  This will allow water to drain out and prevent root rot.

** Do not let excess water sit in the drainage tray.

** Do not underwater.  Plants should be watered when the top of the soil is dry.  If the soil is pulling away from the sides of the pot or cracking, it is too dry.  If the leaves of your plant are wilting, you need to water more often. 

** Do not overwater.  If the soil is developing a layer of moss on top or is always very wet, you're watering too much.  If the leaves of your plant are yellow, you need to cut back the amount of water or the frequency of watering.

** You should mist the soil with a spray bottle or (in my case) a kitchen sink sprayer turned on low.  Use lukewarm water and spray gently.  You do not want to create canals or divets in the soil.  You could expose the plant roots.  Water until the soil is moist but not soggy.  Do not get leaves wet whenever possible.  Sunlight could burn them.

** Do not let leaves touch the window panes.  Sunlight will burn them.

** Finally, if you get a chance to install a garden box window, do not put it over your kitchen sink unless you are very tall.  I am very short and have to literally climb onto my countertop in order to reach the plants.  It is the only window in my kitchen, however, so I thought it would be the most convenient spot.  If it were a window that I could walk up to, watering and snipping would be much easier.  (BTW, Luke, age 8, has now taken over watering, so he has to climb onto the counter. )

I hope this encourages some of you who are intimidated by gardening.  I am not an expert, but I think my thumb now has a hint of green developing -- maybe slightly yellow-green, or better yet mint-green!

~Layla