As the days grow shorter and the chill of winter sets in, we’ve found ourselves craving a bit of green in our home. If you’re looking for a way on how to grow fresh herbs indoors this winter, read on.
This is our first winter here at Fiddlehead Homestead, and we decided to bring a little life inside by starting herbs in small pots. It’s been an exciting, albeit slightly experimental, process that we’re excited to share!
Starting herbs in winter has been surprisingly straightforward, though not without its quirks. With less sunlight and shorter days, growth has been slower than we’d hoped. To give our plants a boost, we’ve been using a small grow light. It does the job for now, but we’re considering upgrading to something stronger to speed things up.
We’ve noticed that some herbs, like sage, seem to hit a “growth spurt” once they reach a certain size, taking off almost overnight. Others, like tarragon and thyme, are taking their sweet time, but we’re learning patience is part of the process.
The winter air, being drier than usual, has added a layer of complexity. We’re keeping an eye on moisture levels in the soil, as it tends to dry out more quickly than expected.
Where We Got Our Seeds
To kickstart our indoor herb garden, we sourced our seeds from Sow True Seed. They offer an incredible variety of high-quality herb seeds, making it easy to find everything we needed for our winter gardening project. We highly recommend them if you’re looking for a reliable seed source!
Tips for Starting Herbs Indoors
If you’re thinking of starting your own indoor herb garden this winter, here are a few tips based on our experience:
1. Choose the Right Herbs
Not all herbs thrive equally indoors during winter. We’ve had good luck with sage, parsley, and chives, while tarragon and thyme are slower growers. Consider starting with a mix of fast and slow growers to keep things interesting.
2. Pick the Right Pots
Small pots are perfect for starting herbs, but make sure they have proper drainage. Herbs don’t like sitting in soggy soil, and good drainage is key to avoiding root rot.
3. Use High-Quality Potting Soil
Investing in a quality potting mix can make a big difference. Look for one that retains moisture but also allows for good aeration. We’ve been using an organic blend that seems to be keeping our herbs happy.
4. Light is Everything
Winter’s limited sunlight can slow growth, so a grow light is almost essential. Start with a basic one, but don’t hesitate to upgrade if you feel your plants need more help.
5. Humidity Matters
Winter air can be incredibly dry, which isn’t ideal for herbs. Placing a tray of water near your plants or lightly misting them every few days can help keep the humidity up.
6. Be Patient
Growth might be slower in winter, but don’t let that discourage you. Some herbs will surprise you with a growth spurt once they’re established.
A Rewarding Winter Project
Starting herbs indoors has been a rewarding project for us this winter. Beyond the practical benefits of having fresh herbs at our fingertips, it’s brought a little vibrancy to our home during these grey months. Watching something green grow while snow piles up outside has been something we really look forward to.
As we continue to experiment, we’d love to hear about your experiences with indoor herbs! Have you found any tricks to speed up growth or make the process easier? Let us know in the comments – we’re all about learning and sharing here at Fiddlehead Homestead!
Happy planting!
Fiddlehead Homestead 
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