1. Indoor Herb Gardening Sub Title Mary Beth Culver, Gul Behsudi, and Sid Abel Howard Co., 2013 XX@sss.sls

2. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

3. What you will take away from today How to successfully grow herbs indoors Cultivation Soils/Growing medium Nutritional needs Insects and disease control Herbs to grow indoors Harvesting your bounty Sources of Information

4. Herbs Plants valued for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal and insecticidal qualities or economic or industrial use, or in the case of dyes, for the pigments they provide

5. History “An herb is the friend of physicians and the praise of cooks.” – Charlemagne • Lascaux cave paintings depict herbs dating back perhaps as much as 25,000 years! • Referenced in Indian, Chinese and Egyptian writings for medicinal uses • In the Middle Ages, herbs were uses to preserve meat, mask odors, and were associated with witchcraft and paganism • First accounts of food use or in cooking date back to the Romans

6. Why Grow Herbs? • Easily grown indoors or outdoors, in pots or in the garden • Very little space is needed • Few pests or diseases • Rewards are tangible

7. Indoor Container Cultivation • Types of plants: • Annuals • Biennials • Perennials • Grown from: • Seeds • Cuttings • Division of roots • Well drained growing medium using soil-less mix and compost or Leafgro

8. Indoor Container Cultivation • Prefer full sun or under grow lights • 6 or more hours of sun daily • Under lights, 14-16 hours under T-5 fluorescent lights (more expensive than T-8 lights, 2-3 times the output) • Fertilize sparingly with a slow release form, if at all • Water requirements depend on indoor environment and location

9. Soils • The right mixture: 50% compost and 50% soilless potting mix, OR… • 30% Topsoil (weedless commercial) • 30% Compost • 30% Peat Moss • 10% Perlite • Test soil pH • 6.0-6.5 is optimal

10. Indoor Nutritional Needs • Fertilizer: seedlings will require an initial small dose • Plants should be fed about every 2 weeks • Most sources recommend natural or organic – follow the label • Water when the soil feels dry to the touch – don’t drown them!

11. Insects and Disease • Less susceptible possibly because of their fragrance and flavors • Major insects: Aphids Whiteflies Mites Slugs

12. Control of Diseases and Insects • A healthy growing environment is important to control insects and especially diseases • Mechanical control – preferred for light insect infestation • Chemical control of insects: • Home Remedies - insecticidal soap, Neem oil, lemon or vinegar spray • Registered pesticides - Safer’s Insecticidal Soap and EcoBlend Organic Insecticidal Soap

13. Ideal Indoor Herbs • Most any herb can be grown indoors, good light, water and the right nourishment are key • Food Favorites: Sweet basil Dill Mint Chives Oregano Parsley Cilantro Sage Thyme • Aromatic Favorites: Lavender Aloe vera Chamomile

14. Harvesting and Preserving Highlights Harvesting: • Flowers – Pick as they fully open • Seeds – Fully ripe (no green showing) • Leaves – depends on the species Preserving: • Freezing – Rinse well, pat dry, cut into small pieces and place on waxed paper or ice cube tray wrapped in freezer bags. Drying: • Similar to dehydrator directions; bundle stems removing leaves near base, secure with elastic band, hang in dark cool location.

15. References • https://www.herbsociety.org/herbs/documents/BeginnersHerbGarden_pdf.pdf • http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/srb9606.htm • http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/herbs/ne208hrb.htm • http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/boulder/horticulture/pdf/Year-Round%20herb%20Garden.pdf • www.extension.umd.edu/hgic (search HG #600)

16. References • http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7751 • http://clark.wsu.edu/volunteer/mg/gm_tips/Herbs.html • Herb gardening from ground up , 2012 by Sal Gilbert and Larry Sheehan • Homegrown herbs, 2011 by Tammi Hartung • Beautiful easy herbs, 1997 by Laurence Sombke

17. Resources Grow it! Eat it!- http://extension.umd.edu/growit Access to valuable and practical gardening tips and information. Share your experiences in our blog. Maryland Master Gardener Program- http://extension.umd.edu/mg Consider becoming a MG volunteer Home and Garden Information Center-http://extenstion.umd.edu/hgic Can answer your gardening questions… Call the “hotline” Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm. 1-800-342-2507 Send questions and photos 24/7 through this web site for a quick and thorough answer.

18. This program was brought to you by Maryland Master Garden Program Howard County University of Maryland Extension