Winter Garden

[Wolfgang4711]

Isa,

Herbs need lots of light. I keep them in a window and turn them every day so all sides get light. Also most folks over water them and they drown out or the roots rot. Some folks forget to water them. It's been a few years since I had them inside, but I loved having them fresh within reach.

Debbie,

Berkeley Springs is in the North Eastern corner of the Eastern Panhande, boardered by PA and MD. Morgantown is Southwest about 80 miles.

I have eaten ramps and they are very tastey, but strong and a little goes a long way. I also have wild mushrooms and blueberries on my property.

As for the animals, I have a salt lick out for the deer that live on the property and feed them apples. I have a lot of wild nut producing trees and the ground is covered with acorns and the like in Spring and the deer and squirrels love them.

Every year I get a hunting license and see lots of deer, but I have never been able to kill any animal. I've had deer in my sights a hundred times and I can't pull the trigger, so I feed them and my property is a haven for them now during hunting season. They don't even run off when they see me anymore. I'm a big wuss!

[Isa]

My windows are on the west side so it's very sunny in the kitchen. I watered them as often as needed but the rosemary always dried up very fast. The thyme lasted a bit longer but not much.

Next time I'll use seeds instead of plants.

[Wolfgang4711]

Hi Isa,

I was just thinking. It might be that your home is too dry or too hot. You might keep a mister bottle handy and sray your plans every once in a while throughout the day.

I hope you're having a good day

[mudbug]

Isa,

Herbs need a tremendous amount of light, try getting a grow light. They're under $10.00 at places like Wal-Mart, then you can grow them anywhere you wish. Also, herbs like to "dry out" they can be very easily overwatered.

[Isa]

It's a fine line between drying and over watering. I did used a mister, not that it changed anything. Within a month the indoor herbs were dead. Funny enough the herbs I keep outside all summer thrived. Go figure that one out.

[glutz]

With Omelette. definetely yes yes.

Also good with Chow Mein,
for those in Summery areas, when you have young bunches,
a good brothy soup, add 1/3 cup sliced beef with usual Chinese meat flavourings and 2TBS conrflour to thicken.

My spring onions heads give me a once weekly cutting of greens.

Happy harvesting,

ken

[Bufano]

It has been frightfully cold here and we even has some snow yesterday on the mountain tops...brrrr.

When should I plant the seeds for herbs? I will be using terracotta pots for my herbs. Should I wait until March??

[Olive Branch]

I wouldn't wait - I'd start them now inside. Days are getting longer and the seeds know that it is time to grow. It's not so much the specific temperature as it is the length of the days. But keep them in til you know they won't freeze!

Love ~ Debbie

P.S. Some are annual (replant every year) like basil, parsley, mint, chives (where you are). Some are perennial and will live over the winter and start to grow again in spring if you help them avoid a killing frost, like thyme and rosemary.

[mudbug]

Bufano,

Check here for a wonderful guide to Winter Sowing. If you haven't had much experience growing herbs from seed, I'd wait till it gets a little warmer unless you really pay attention to what they need which is lots of light and warmth. It's difficult to even keep healthy plants alive inside unless you can provide the optimum conditions.

Debbie, I'm going to have to disagree. Herbs like hot temperatures and full sun (at least eight hours of direct sunlight.

If you want to start herb seeds indoors, use a gardeners heating pad under the flats and grow lights for the best results.

[Olive Branch]

Hi cchiu! I agree, herbs like hot sun and long days. I thought we were talking about germinating herb seeds for planting out later. Sorry!

Love ~ Debbie