Secret Seven - Water for Success
The last secret to your successful indoor herb garden is proper watering. Most of the herbs in this book are Mediterranean in origin and grow in poor soil with almost no water. For example, Rosemary and tarragon can go almost bone dry before watering. Parsley likes a moist but not soggy soil.
Overwatering is the main killer of indoor herbs and other indoor plants. Soggy soil promotes root rot which is death for a plant. If a plant’s leaves turn yellow, it is generally a sign of overwatering. If they turn brown, it is time to water.
When the top soil is dry to the touch, check the soil with a pencil, toothpick or finger inserted into the soil about ¼ to 1/3 of the pot depth. If the pencil or tooth pick comes out with only a few crumbs of soil attached, it is time to water. The most accurate measure is to use a water meter. These cost about $12 to $18 and will help save killing your plants by overwatering. (Google Query - digital water meters for indoor gardening) They are good for any indoor potted plant and not just herbs.
Before over watering |
|
Above the parsley plant after |
A general watering rule for any indoor plant is when the top ¼ to 1/3 top of the soil in your pot is dry, water it. For example, when a 4 inch pot is dry down to 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches it is time to water. When a 6 inch potted plant is dry down to 2 inches, it is time to water. When your pencil or a toothpick comes out clean ¼ to 1/3 down into the soil, it is probably time to water. If you get a toothpick comes back that has black soil all over it at that depth and you water, you will water log your soil and promote root rot. Alternatively you can use your finger which will be more sensitive. Your best tool watering tool is a water meter. Mine is a Hydrofarms Active 3 in one. Light, water and ph meter. My cost was $9.98
Humidity Tip
A good way to provide humidity for your plants is to put the pot in a drain saucer or tray with about ½ inch to 1 inch of pebbles of pea gravel in the saucer. Then put some water in the saucer but not enough the plant will sit in the water. The level of the pebbles should be enough to keep the plant out of the water. As the water evaporates, it will provide a column of humidity for the plant. This procedure is especially good for growing Rosemary indoors in the winter. (This tip was from Tia at Tagawa Gardens in Aurora, CO)