Plant

from The Village Observer July 2022

Interview

WITH RACHEL GLEESON I WWW.IVYALLEY.COM.AU

Growing a winter herb garden in your home

Are you going a little ‘stir crazy’ with this cold weather and feeling a little confined inside? You may feel it's either too cold, too wet or simply just too miserable to be out there getting your hands dirty! Bring a little of the outside in and also save money on your grocery bill, by growing your own leafy greens inside. Start by finding a sunny/warm area (such as a north facing window) in your home to set up your growing area. If you do not have this DONT DESPAIR, some simple equipment can provide this artificially.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Seedlings…such as lettuce, basil, chives, baby spinach, parsley, spring onions or coriander. • Potting mix • Containers • Liquid fertiliser

WARMTH & LIGHT

A sunny area will provide enough light for your plant to produce energy and grow. Warmth provided inside will increase the temperature of the soil and allow the roots to uptake water (cold winter soil prohibits a plants ability to do this).

ARTIFICIAL WARMTH AND LIGHT

Heat mat - this plastic mat gives your plants a warm base to sit on. It simply plugs into a powerpoint. The mat provides warmth (similar to an electric blanket) by increasing the temperature of the soil. LED lamp - Provide artificial light that allows your plants to grow. You can use any form of lighting that uses a LED bulb. This can be a simple desk lamp, floor light or fluorescent tube. Use a plug in timer to ensure your plants get a consistent 10-12 hours of light each day.

Plant your seedlings into their pots and place on a waterproof tray. Add the soluble fertiliser to a jug of water (according to directions) and water well. Place the tray of plants on the heat mat and under the lamp. Water your plants often enough to make sure they always remain moist (not soggy!). This will probably be every 2-4 days. Add liquid fertiliser to your watering regime every 2-3 weeks. Once your plants are established, trim and use as needed. This will keep them healthy and encourage new growth. They will continue regrowing for several months, provide you with fresh greens and a little sanity throughout the winter months!