Apartment living isn’t exactly known as being a gardener’s paradise, but that doesn’t mean that those of us with green thumbs, or those of us that want to have green thumbs, can’t set up a real live garden of our very own. While the allure of lush rose bushes and sprawling tomato vines seems out of reach for most apartment dwellers, robust herb gardens are very much within the realm of possibility. Herbs not only take up little space, but a little goes a long way when cooking. Instead of handfuls of basil going to waste in those little plastic packages in the fridge, you can just snip off what you need for your next artisan Caprese salad, impressing your friends in the process.
Let’s get started:
- Select your space and assess the sunlight situation – Many apartments feature a private patio or balcony. This is the ideal spot for your new garden, provided the light is just right. If you have outdoor space that is in the shade all day, it’s probably not going to yield the desired results. Most plants are good with about 6 hours in the sun, some even less.
- Gather your supplies – You can start purchasing planting and gardening equipment at any time of the year, but don’t actually want to plant until you’re very sure that outside temperatures won’t reach the freezing point again. As someone who has dusted the snow off my cilantro, I suggest researching your planting zone. As for other supplies, think about the containers you want to use. Several pots? Maybe one of those long planters that attach to the railing of a deck? It’s tempting to choose what is cutest, but this is the time to choose what is most practical, and what will work best in the space, and sunlight, that you have. Lastly, invest in some sort of “potting mix” soil and a good hand-held garden spade.
- Purchase your plants – I know there is something so very romantic about starting plants from seeds, but I’ve never had much success in this area. If you’re confident in your horticultural prowess, go for it, but my recommendation would be to start with seedlings. You can purchase these anywhere from a local farmer’s market to your nearest big box hardware store to even the local nursery in your neighborhood. Make sure you also save the tags that come in the plants. There is vital information on there including planting depth and distance from other plants, water recommendations, and sunlight requirements.
- Plant… your plants – This may seem like a no-brainer, but you want to make sure that your plants are firm… planted from the start. Start by placing soil in whatever pot or container you choose, leaving wells for the new plants. Make sure you leave enough space between each well, as the plant roots will spread over the course of the summer. Never grab your plant by the leaves, as you want to keep the roots intact. Grab your plant by the stems and slowly remove it from the pot in which you bought it. If the root ball is in one huge clump, loosen it with your hands a little, this will help the roots settle in the new soil. Fill the space around the well and the roots with more soil, and pat down lightly. Water your plant, liberally. That’s it! You’re done!
- Frequently trim and water your herb garden – This also seems like a no-brainer but do your research on how to harvest your herbs for home use. For example, cut basil by the stem, not the leaf. Where you cut basil, a new sprout will form, making the plant fuller as the summer wears on. Even though you might not need the use of a specific herb right away, it’s good to keep the plants at a manageable size. There are a number of simple methods to preserve herbs that can last you not only through the season, but as the cold starts to set in as well.