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Coffee Grounds: The organic superfood for your fruit and vegetable plants
Don’t let those gorgeous aromatic grounds go to waste!
19 July 2023
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Growing your own herbs on a windowsill is an easy and rewarding way to add flavor and freshness to your dishes.
It’s also a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact by avoiding the need to buy packaged herbs from the supermarket. So it instantly reduces food miles and plastic packaging in one go -bonus!
We don’t always have the most temperate of climates in the UK, but the good news these herbs can all be grown inside. They all love warm, sunny and humid conditions, which can be found on most of our kitchen windowsills. We’ll go over everything you need to know to successfully grow basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, parsley, and other herbs on a windowsill in the UK.
First, you need to decide which herbs to grow. Some herbs are more suited to indoor growing than others. Some of the most popular herbs to grow on a windowsill are:
Basil – Basil is an easy herb to grow on a windowsill. It likes warm, humid conditions and grows quickly. It’s perfect for adding flavour to Italian dishes, salads, and more.
Rosemary – Rosemary is a hardy herb that needs a lot of sunlight and well-draining soil. It’s perfect for flavouring meats, stews, and soups.
Thyme – Thyme loves sunny windowsills and well-drained soil. It’s perfect for adding flavour to roasts, stews, and vegetables.
Mint – Mint is a fragrant herb that loves moist soil and partial shade. It’s perfect for adding flavour to teas, desserts, and cocktails.
Sage – Sage loves sunny windowsills and well-drained soil. It’s perfect for adding flavour to poultry dishes, stuffing, and sauces.
Parsley – Parsley is an easy herb to grow on a windowsill. It likes moist soil and partial shade. It’s perfect for adding flavour to soups, stews, and salads.
Preparing the Soil
Once you’ve decided on which herbs to grow, it’s time to prepare the soil. The soil should be well-draining to prevent the roots from sitting in water, which can cause root rot. You can buy potting soil specifically for herbs, or you can make your own using our simple build-your-own compost heap method!
Choosing the Right Pot
The next step is to choose the right pot. The pot should be big enough to allow the herb to grow and have drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. A pot that is around 20cm deep x 20cm wide wide should be sufficient.
Planting the Herbs
Once you have everything ready, it’s time to plant the herbs. Fill the pot with soil, leaving a few cm of space at the top. Make a small hole in the soil with your finger and place the herb in the hole. Fill the hole with soil and press down gently to secure the herb.
After planting the herbs, it’s important to care for them properly. To grow herbs on your windowsill, the key things to remember are:
Watering – Herbs on windowsills need to be watered regularly, but be careful not to overwater. Water the herbs when the soil feels dry to the touch. Just keep an eye out for a buildup of stagnant water at the base – this is bad news.
Sunlight – Most herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Place your herbs near a south-facing window for maximum sunlight.
Food – Herbs on windowsills don’t need a lot of food, but you can give them a boost by adding a bit of organic plant food to the soil every now and then.
Pruning – Regular pruning helps to keep your herbs bushy and healthy. Pinch off the tips of the stems regularly to encourage new growth.
Growing herbs on a windowsill is a great way to add fresh flavours to your cooking and bring a touch of greenery into your home.
With the right herbs, soil, pot, and care, you can enjoy herbs all year round from just a packet of seeds or a single young plant.
Happy growing!
Don’t let those gorgeous aromatic grounds go to waste!
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