Planting an Herb Garden in Your Sunroom

If you’ve ever wanted to start a garden but either lacked the time or felt you were more “all thumbs” than “green thumb,” then an herb garden is a great place to start your gardening adventure.
An herb garden requires little maintenance, yields impressive results (picture your dinner guests’ faces when you inform them you grew the parsley garnishing their meal!), and can be cultivated without even leaving the house. And when you grow them in your sunroom, you’re adding some decorative touches to your living space.

Here are a few tips to follow if you want to enjoy the bounty of an herb harvest from your sunroom:

Choose Your Herb(s)

There are a seemingly endless number of herbs in Mother Nature’s spice rack, so select the ones that suit your needs—don’t grow a ton of mint if you don’t plan to use it. Fortunately, many herbs can be dried for longer storage, though some chefs prefer the fresh stuff in their recipes.

Let There Be Light

Most plants need little more than light and water to thrive, and your sunroom will eliminate the need to purchase artificial light. Placing your plants near the south-facing windows will get them the most light, especially during the cooler winter months.

Water: Good! Soggy: Bad!

Herbs grow in soil, and because you’re not digging a hole in the floor of your sunroom, the soil needs to be in some kind of container. Choose a planter that offers drainage, because too much water—which creates soggy soil—will hurt your herbs. Terracotta pots work well, or you can buy a complete herb kit that includes recommended containers.
If you’re using pots with a hole in the bottom for drainage, don’t forget to place the pot on a saucer (or a tray, for multiple pots) to capture the water!
Unlike other plants, herbs don’t need to be watered every day. Check the soil for dryness—and be sure to follow the watering needs for each specific herb, because some (like basil) require more water than others.
And regardless of how much water your plants need, be sure to add water slowly, so the soil has time to absorb it.

Check for Pests

Although growing herbs in a sunroom will eliminate the danger of a rabbit devouring all your rosemary, they still can attract an assortment of unwanted insect diners, including aphids and fruit flies. When you suspect an infestation, you avoid chemical contamination by using a natural repellent such as a diluted mixture of liquid soap or pureed garlic. One gardening guide even suggests using a handheld vacuum to literally suck the bugs off the plant!

So when you’re looking to (literally) spice up your sunroom, consider the decorative and fragrant (and tasty!) benefits of a simple herb garden.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about maintaining your existing sunroom or are looking for an easy way to add an addition to your home, contact us for a free Design Consultation.