If you have mastered the obstacles of RV cooking, consider perking up your favorite dishes with fresh herbs — grown right at home! Herb gardens are compact and easy to care for, making them ideal for mobile homes. Fresh, fragrant herbs make a fantastic addition to marinades, salads, dressings, main dishes and even desserts. Scale down the spice rack and use your own delicious herbs on your next trip!
Selecting Herbs
It is important to note that there are some herbs that are ill-suited to any sort of potted growing. These herbs grow over four feet tall and would be quite the companion in a cramped RV. Marjoram, rosemary, thyme, chives, sweet basil and oregano are all great plants for potting. Identify herbs that you enjoy and make sure to confirm that they are suitable for an indoor herb garden.
Planting Herbs
Because too much water is damaging to delicate herbs, your herbs will need a container that allows for proper soil drainage. Select deep pots with drainage holes around the bottom and create an internal drainage system. Place a layer of pebbles in the bottom of the pot or planter, then use rich potting soil to fill. Any excess water will seep down to the stones and out of the holes, so be sure to place a drip tray under any planters that do not have one attached. Heavy pebbles, in coordination with non-slip mats, ensure that your herbs will not shift or slide during turns. You may wish to keep your herbs separate for the purpose of identification, but one window box planter can be home to several varieties at once if you can tell them apart.
Caring for Herbs
From seed to tabletop, herb growing takes roughly one month. Taking care of herbs is easy! Your herbs will need watering, sunlight, frequent use and the occasional application of organic fertilizer. That’s it! Pruning herbs for use makes them grow vigorously into hardy specimens. Herbs are unlike other plants — the more you use, the more you will have! Use fertilizer sparingly, as overzealous application can create large, flavorless plants. Water plants as they require, but be careful not to overwater. Check the soil every day; if it is dry to the touch, give your thirsty herbs a drink. Ensure that your herbs get six hours of sunlight each day, or use a lamp to simulate natural light, if necessary.
Thank you for this! I am a newbie and am excited to figure out a few tricks in this new lifestyle. Since I brought plants on board because they are such a priority, even before putting curtains up, I’m going to need to figure out how to keep them alive as soon as possible! Without staying in the same climate, the changes are showing in my little beginner indoor garden. Any suggestions on how to protect them from temperature changes due to an unsure winter and location changes? 🙂