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Tom Greenthumb Gardening

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Windowsill Herb Garden - Build An Inexpensive Container

I recently planted some mint and chive herb seeds in individual potting cups that I'll transfer outside in a couple of months. I had some extra seeds. So, rather than letting them go to waste, I decided to create a windowsill herb garden. I had a plastic container from a recent batch of tomatoes I picked up at Costco that would work well for my project. Yes, even Greenthumb Tom has to purchase fresh tomotoes from the store when none are available in his garden.

I filled the plastic container with some soilless potting mix which would allow for decent drainage. The clear plastic container was the type with a folding top that snapped together on either side. There were about 15 tomatoes in it which I removed. I have a window that receives about 5 hours of sun a day. This became the perfect spot for my inexpensive windowsill herb garden. The potting mix filled the container about 2-3 inches deep.

I then planted the chive seeds in one half and the mint in the other. Herbs don't care for really wet soil so be sure to water them lightly. With the top of the container snapped closed it creates a mini greenhouse. The initial sprouts shoot up in no time at all. The best type of herbs for this are the low growing varieties such as chives, mint, parsley, or thyme. My inexpensive windowsill herb garden will soon provide handy ingredients to those baked potatotes or meat dishes. Try this yourself and receive the satisfaction of using fresh herbs you've grown yourself.