Herbs on the window - but in the right place!
Of course, for herbs that you plan to use to refine food, the most practical way to grow them is on the kitchen windowsill. But if you want to have some of them for longer than just 3-4 weeks, then you should choose the window sill according to its orientation.
also read
- Build a herb bed yourself?
- Create a herb bed if there is little space
- Create a herb bed - the best location
Because if your kitchen window faces north or east, only a few half to shade-compatible varieties such as chives, lovage, parsley or basil can be grown there. Most of the other species, especially the Mediterranean herbs of course, need a location facing south or at least west.
So:
- Alignment of the window sill is crucial for the success of cultivating various types of herbs
- for Mediterranean herbs: south / west window
- North / East windows also conceivable for soft-leaved, native varieties
You can plant your window sill herbs best in individual pots, but also in a rectangular planter or bowl. a balcony box.
Inside or outside window sill?
Whether you place your herbs on the inside or outside of the window pane is essential to maintaining the aroma. In a heated room with comparatively little air exchange, the herbs lose their flavor and valuable ingredients much faster. So leave them outside as long as possible.
wintering
Of course, only perennial herbs such as parsley, marjoram, rosemary, lemon balm, sage or tarragon can be overwintered anyway. During the winter months, however, they should not be too warm - the choice between the outside location that is too cold and the inside location that is too warm can be tricky. For most varieties, a wintering temperature of 5 ° C is ideal. If there are severe freezing temperatures outside, you can also cover the plants with fir branches or burlap.
Close-knit care
The small cultivation area of the window sill and the necessarily small planters require a little closer attention. Because in small pots and with the light, air and temperature conditions that tend to be one-sided, the herbs are more sensitive to waterlogging and pests. This makes it easier for them to rot or get lice. This is especially true for the non-Mediterranean herbs - these are quite resistant to pests because of their essential oils. So water as regularly as possible without excess and treat any pest infestation immediately.
