[gonefishin]

Hi all,

I have a small area on the side of my house where I decided to plant a few herbs. I ended up planting three Genovese basil plants, two purple, two Thai, two spicy globe. I've also got Italian Parsley, Cilantro and chives planted in the same area (which you can't really see)

I do have another area in my back yard where I have Greek oregano and several different types of thyme.

I'll certainly miss these plants over winter



take care all,
dan

[KYHeirloomer]

Dan, no need to miss them over winter. Just transfer the herb garden indoors.

The basils will have to be started from seed. But the herbacious plants, like the thyme, can be started from cuttings.

Grow the herbs in either pots or flats, under a shop light, keeping the light only a couple of inches from the tops of the herbs.

Fresh herbs all winter!

[OregonYeti]

In a house I used to live in, there was a big skylight in the kitchen, on the south side of the house. I thought about hanging herb plants under it but never did it. I think it would have worked fine through the winter.

[KYHeirloomer]

Maybe so, OY.

The problem with depending on natural light is that during the winter the angle of the sun is such that plants don't get enough of it. That's why herbs and other plants kept in an apparently bright window sill don't do well. They tend to get leggy as they grow upwards seeking more light.

Artificial light really makes more sense; both for over-winter growing and for starting garden plants in the spring.

All you need is a pair of standard, cold-white flurescent bulbs. There is no need to spend the extra money on either soft white bulbs or grow lights. All they bring to the table is the addition of red-spectrum light.

Red is important for ripening fruit. But it serves no function when growing foliage.

[KYHeirloomer]

BTW, if you have enough room for additional lights, you can grow lettuces and other greens indoors over winter, using the same set-up.

[OregonYeti]

I grew some basil this year. It's done really well. It was just labeled "basil" when I bought the little plant, and it was kind of an experiment since in the past any basil I've grown has been eaten up by little bugs. Why this plant was successful, I don't know for sure. I mixed some peat moss and compost into the clayey soil, and maybe that helped the plant be more healthy than past ones.

[MaryB]

Convince my cat the the herb garden isn't something to play in He trashed a planter full of chives a few weeks ago when he jumped up onto it(I have it hanging on chains 5 feet up).

[KYHeirloomer]

Cats and indoor herb gardens can be as troublesome as squirrels at the bird feeder.

Some folks claim success by having a separte "garden" that includes catnip. They say their cats play over there, and leave the real herb garden alone. Wheatgrass also seems to be attractive to them.

BTW, catnip tea is a great specific for an upset tummy. So whether or not it keeps the cat out of the herbs, it's worthwhile growing.

Not having cats, I can't say firsthand.

[gonefishin]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

Dan, no need to miss them over winter. Just transfer the herb garden indoors.

The basils will have to be started from seed. But the herbacious plants, like the thyme, can be started from cuttings.

Grow the herbs in either pots or flats, under a shop light, keeping the light only a couple of inches from the tops of the herbs.

Fresh herbs all winter!

Thanks for the advice KYHeirloomer!

With the basil, do I just let it run to flower and seed and then collect the seeds. Is there anything I need to do to the seeds after this? How long are they viable after they're gathered?

I'll have to give this a try for all the plants, it'll sure beat buying new plants in spring too.

Thanks,
dan

[KYHeirloomer]

I've never collected my own basil seed, Dan. So can't say from first-hand experience.

However, Suzanne Ashworth, in Seed To Seed says:

"Flower racemes mature progressively from the bottom of the stem to the top. When the bottom seed capsules start to turn brown, the stem can be cut and allowed to dry away from direct sun in a well-ventilated area. Basil plants will continue to produce leaves and flowers even after the flower raseme is cut.

"Each flower contians four seeds that are difficult to extract from the dried seedpod. When processing small quantities, rub each raceme over a fine wire mesh and winnow off the chaff."

Basil seed is viable for five years.

Let us know how it works out for you.

[gonefishin]

Thanks! I'll report back with my results.