But that lack of space shouldn’t rule out gardening completely. All those old pots and tins cans can be reclaimed to be useful once more in an indoor kitchen window herb garden, or maybe in a hallway windowsill, or on a balcony.
Herb gardens are among the easiest to care for, and they require minimal maintenance as well as less space than you might think. Before you know it you could be enjoying some fresh basil, bay leaves, chives, oregano, sage, parsley, rosemary or thyme, that you grew yourself.
Basil likes full sun and moist fertile soil, so place pots in front of windows that get the most sun. This low maintenance herb can also tolerate short periods of drought alongside other herbs in the same container as those with similar needs or alone. Be sure to prune it once it has reached about 6 inches in height.
Bay does not like moist soil, and it needs proper air circulation to stay healthy. This herb is a bit more particular, as such if you want to grow some bay to put into soups, stocks, and pasta dishes it may be best to grow this herb in its own container or pot.
Chervil is best planted late into the summer so it blooms in autumn. This herb prefers colder temperatures from 65-70 F, it does not need full sun and can tolerate a little shade.
Chives form in clumps, and they prefer potting soil that is rich in organic matter. This herb that can reach 10-12 inches in height is good for beginners because they are drought tolerant.
Oregano does best in full sun, but it does not like moist soil. It can be hard to start from seeds, most start their herbs off from stem cuttings off of another plant.
Parsley likes full sun, and this herb can be harvested for several seasons before it dies. It can take a month just to sprout, but once established this is a long-lasting popular garnish.
Rosemary likes dry soil in a sunny area, and this herb can grow to 3 feet tall if planted in quick-draining soil. While it can tolerate drought, it is best to keep the soil slightly moist, and start this herb from cuttings to skip the long sprouting period.
Sage is best to start from a cutting. This herb likes as much sun as possible, but it can tolerate poor air circulation in moist soil.
Tarragon likes cool fall temperatures but will require mulching to protect the roots as well as pruning to keep it from getting too tall. It does not seed, so you will need to start off with a cutting.
Tyme prefers the full sun and quick drying soil. This herb grows to 10 inches in height making it a great choice for small spaces. Start this off from a cutting and place it in a sunny spot.
Herbs are often less maintenance than other garden crops, and they have a high success rate even for beginners. We’ve provided a list of just a few of the selections there are to choose from that might be some of the easiest. You can use old glasses, old pots and pans, that interesting tin you’ve been holding on to, even an old kettle or toolbox. Don’t let limited space hold you back from having a fresh herb garden, enjoy. Fresh is best.
