How to plant an indoor herb garden

Get that freshly picked, summertime flavor in your cuisine - and save money - all winter long by growing your own indoor herb garden.

Here are three easy tips to get you started:

1. Find your light

Most herbs require direct sun to thrive, so make sure you have a sunny window where you can place a row of small pots. "There are also some attractive, compact supplemental light and growth systems that can make it easier to grow herbs inside," says Kylee Baumle, creator of the "Our Little Acre" blog. "Often, compact fluorescent bulbs will suffice or under-cabinet fluorescent lighting can help."

Baumle recommends growing parsley, mint, chives, lemon grass, oregano or rosemary indoors. Herbs that require 6-8 hours of direct sun, like basil or sage, may have a tougher time.

2. Get to potting

If you start with seeds, you'll need to plant them in a pea pot first covered with a plastic bag to simulate a greenhouse. Then, once they've sprouted, you can move them into a larger planter.

Starter plants from a nursery or farmers market are an easier, though a bit more expensive, option. Be sure to choose a pot with enough room for root development, about 6-12 inches deep.

3. Don't overwater

Though it's tempting to baby-sit your little herbs, excess water can quickly lead to root rot. Choose a container with drainage holes in the bottom and place it on top of a saucer, liner or drain pan to catch the water and protect your windowsill.

Soon, with a little TLC, you'll have a mini garden full of delicious herbs right at your fingertips.

- Carley Lintz, CTW Features