Indoor herb gardens can be a great way to add a touch of greenery to your home and enjoy the freshness of homegrown herbs. But how often should you water your indoor herb garden in Travis County, Texas?The answer depends on the type of herbs you are growing and the climate in your area. Generally, most herbs should be watered every two to three days if grown indoors. If the top inch of soil feels dry, it's time to water.
During dry periods, about one inch of water per week is needed. Mulching can help conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Mints prefer moist soil, so they may need more frequent watering. If you have a dry summer season with many hours of sunshine, a good soak once a week should keep your herbs in good shape. You can sow the seeds indoors in early spring or sow them directly outside when the soil temperature has reached 70°F.Applying heat to the bottom of seed trays will speed up germination.
Unless you live in an extremely hot climate or your herbs are very young and not well established, you are unlikely to need to water them every day. Most perennial woody grasses love to receive as many hours of sunlight as possible and will thrive in a sunny spot in well-drained soil. Herbaceous plants that require the least amount of water are adapted to survive in a warm Mediterranean climate, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage. To have a continuous supply of young leaves, you may want to do successive plantings of these herbs every two to three weeks. A basil plant in a small pot on the kitchen window in direct sunlight will dry out quickly and may require watering every other day. If you want to get one in the fall, keep it inside in the winter or in another protected place and place it the following spring. If you're looking for more information about local flora and regulations related to foraging, contact the Lower Colorado River Authority or the Travis County Park System.
