AGAINST THE GRAIN

South-Facing Windows

If you have a south-facing window, you likely have noticed that you receive a lot of sun throughout the day. South-facing windows receive the strongest direct sunlight in Vancouver. The warmth and brightness of your window will mimic outdoor light conditions, which is ideal for herbs, fruits, and plants that love the sun.
Your window likely receives 6 hours or more of sunlight, below are the optimal growth crops for those conditions. You must also remember to check soil moisture frequently, as the soil will dry out faster under the direct sun rays.

BASIL

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  • Light: Needs full sun (6 hours or more of direct sunlight.)
  • Season: Warm season crop.
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist but avoid water logging. Water when the top layer of soil feels dry.
  • Plant size: Plant can grow 2 ft tall bushes.
  • Pot size: Minimum 6 inches wide with drainage holes.
  • Soil: Rich, loose, well-drained soil with dry balanced fertilizer.
  • Problems you may encounter:
    • Leggy growth: means the plant does not have access to enough light.
    • Yellow leaves: indicates you may have over-watered the plant.
  • Harvest:
    • Cut stems right above a set of leaves, this will encourage growth of bushes.
    • Always leave at least 2 pairs of leaves on a stem, and never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at once.

THYME

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  • Light: Needs full sun. Strong direct sunlight throughout the day.
  • Season: Warm and cool season crop.
  • Water: Let soil dry slightly between watering. Overwatering can cause the root to rot.
  • Plant size: Plant can grow 4-12 inch tall.
  • Pot size: Small pots are okay, as thyme prefers crowding.
  • Soil: Loamy, well-drained soil with neutral pH range.
  • Problems you may encounter:
    • The plant does not need frequent watering. Overwatering will lead to wet roots.
    • If it does not receive enough light the flavour will be weak.
  • Harvest: Ensure to continuously trim the woody stems, as it will encourage new growth

CHIVES

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  • Light: Prefers bright, direct sunlight but also more likely to adapt to lower light than most herbs.
  • Season: Cool season crop.
  • Water: Requires consistent moisture. Water regularly, but avoid allowing standing water.
  • Plant size: Plant can grow 1 ft tall.
  • Pot size: Small pots are okay. 4-6 inches.
  • Soil: Loose, well-drained, fertile soil.
  • Problems you may encounter: Overwatering or a poorly draining soil will lead to rot and fungal disease.
  • Harvest: Cut at the base, will regrow quickly.

STRAWBERRIES

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  • Light: Prefers direct sunlight for 6+ hours a day. Can grow with 4-6h of direct sunlight.
  • Season: Cool season crop.
  • Water: Keep the soil moist, but avoid water logging. Continuous and moderate watering.
  • Plant size: Grows in 6-8 inch bushes.
  • Pot size: Deep pots or hanging containers.
  • Soil: Fertile, well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter.
  • Problems you may encounter:
    • Most common problem is improper planting depth. Must plant so that midpoint of the crown is level with soil surface.
  • Harvest: Pick the berries once they appear red and fully ripe.