# Windowsill Herb Gardens
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Planting Container
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Select planting containers with sufficient depth to accommodate the roots of the herbs. Plastic, clay, wood or metal containers at least 12 inches deep should hold container-grown herbs adequately. Use containers with drainage holes and place the container so it is elevated on a tray to help facilitate effective drainage.
Herbs
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Plant a variety of herbs in a windowsill herb garden, spacing the plants about 6 inches apart in the container. Perennial herbs such as chives, thyme, mint and rosemary grow well in containers. Annual herbs such as basil and parsley also grow well indoors in a windowsill container. If you plant mint, give it a container of its own to prevent it from encroaching on other herbs in the container. Perennial herbs can grow for an extended time in containers, whereas, annual herbs will likely live for approximately one year.
Environment
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Use a basic potting soil for planting. Find a sunny location -- a windowsill that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight is ideal for container herbs. If you do not have this growing location, enhance natural light from the window with a grow light. Rotate a container in a windowsill 180 degrees every two to three days to keep growth even. If you notice herbs declining or becoming spindly, this indicates that the herbs need more light. Water herbs when the soil begins to dry out, watching the herbs carefully to prevent wilting. Fertilize container-grown herbs twice each month with an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer. Herbs prefer daytime temperatures of approximately 70 F and overnight temperatures of 60 F.
Harvest
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Harvest the herbs by clipping the leaves as you need them. Watch the plants to see when blossoms appear. If you clip off buds immediately after they appear, you can prevent blossoming and extend the life of the plant. Remove as much as one-third of the plant when you see buds. Use the greenery or preserve it by drying it. Air-dry herbs by bundling small bunches of herb stems and hanging them upside down in a warm location.
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