How to start a kitchen herb garden in India: A beginner’s guide

There is something deeply satisfying about plucking fresh mint leaves for your chai or cutting coriander straight from your balcony before garnishing a curry. Home kitchen herb gardens are gradually becoming a lifestyle choice amongst Indian households, particularly amongst those residing in apartments. They are convenient, inexpensive, attractive, and rather simple to manage.While growing a garden may seem intimidating, growing herbs does not necessarily require a spacious backyard or expert gardening skills. Any small balcony, kitchen windowsill, or terrace space is adequate for hosting a home herb garden. Given the variety in climate and growing seasons across India, many herbs thrive on their own.Why kitchen herbs gardening is gaining popularityIt is increasingly common for people to focus on sustainability, healthy living, and fresh, chemical-free food in recent years. In that respect, kitchen herb gardening suits well. It is possible not only to improve the taste of food but also to make the cooking process enjoyable. Contrary to store-bought herbs, home-grown plants will be fresher, more fragrant, and contain more nutrients.Gardening can become a form of therapy. For example, watering plants when coming back from work and watching new shoots grow can be relaxing.India boasts many different types of herbs year-round due to its climate. Some of these herbs are beginner-friendly and do quite well in Indian weather.For instance, mint is an easy-to-grow plant that is excellent for novice gardeners. It grows fast and requires minimal care. Coriander, which is widely used in Indian cuisine, is another favorite. Coriander grown during colder times is particularly popular. Basil, whether tulsi or Italian basil, thrives in the sun and is great for various teas, pastas, salads, and herbal remedies.Curry leaves are indispensable in any Indian kitchen and grow wonderfully in warm climates. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, and parsley are also becoming popular due to the growing preference for continental cuisine.Successfully growing herbs mainly depends on having enough sunlight. Most herbs need a minimum of four to six hours of sunlight daily. Balconies are an ideal choice for Indian residences because they ensure aeration and sufficient sunlight. If a balcony isn't available, a kitchen window is also a viable option.Before choosing the right location for planting your herbs, you must first study the sun’s movement inside your house during the daytime. This is because the intense heat during the Indian summer afternoon can adversely affect the herbs in some cases.The most common mistake among novice gardeners is neglecting soil quality. Herbs require loose, draining soil, which should not retain any extra moisture. A combination of garden soil, compost, and cocopeat proves to be quite effective for growing herbs. A terracotta pot is the most popular choice since it enables air circulation and avoids waterlogging. Other options can include any recycled item such as a plastic container, clay pot, grow bag, or old jar with proper drainage facility. Small pots prove sufficient for herbs since they are small plants; however, some types like curry leaves will require a bigger pot in future. Contrary to flowering plants, herbs normally don't need a lot of water. Over-watering can be the major cause of death of herbs in most homes in India.During summer season in India, the herbs will require water once a day depending on temperature and sun exposure. During the monsoon and winter seasons, watering requirements decrease. Watering in the early morning is recommended.Another thing that makes growing herbs very attractive is that it is environmentally friendly as well. Various kitchen waste materials can be transformed into fertilisers that feed the herbs. Tea leaves, eggshells, vegetable peels, and even banana peels contain nutrients that benefit herb plants. Making a compost pit at home is something else that more people are doing nowadays. This helps one to prepare organic fertiliser for his/her herbs or other plants.Yellowing, weak growth, and pest attacks are some of the things that beginners face while growing their herbs. This usually occurs due to over-watering or lack of enough sunlight. Small insects like aphids and mealybugs tend to attack the plants in Indian weather conditions. Spraying the plant with neem oil helps tackle the problem.