Fresh Basil All Year LongYou can have fresh basil all year long. I grew basil from seed. It was in a pot and I brought it in. I froze and dried most of it and planted this.
Strawberry Pot for HerbsI have had this terra cotta strawberry pot for years. I have often planted strawberries, although I can't keep the slugs from eating them. My friend had a similar pot with succulents. It looks more beautiful every year and I was tempted to do the same, but I decided I would rather have herbs.
Rosemary Is Not Just For CookingIt is the end of the season coming for many garden centers, with that in mind, here in the south, you can get great bargains for little or nothing. I came across some rosemary plants. The great value of rosemary is that it grows into a bush and can grow to 4 feet. It is a great fragrant bush that provides a great look for landscaping and these other great values, such as boosting immune health.
Propagating Lemongrass in a Plastic BottleHave an empty plastic water bottle? You can cut the plastic bottom down to size and propagate your choice of plant. I like this method because I'm able to see the roots grow and ensure it'll be successful instead of planting directly into soil.
Planting GarlicOne of our favorite foods does best when it is planted in the fall. It likes a well drained soil. Prepare the soil by tilling and removing all weeds. Break apart the garlic bulb into cloves. Place a clove pointed side up about 2 inches in the ground. Plant about 4-6 inches apart depending on the variety.
Grow Your Own GingerNow that everyone's battling colds and flus, I'm reminded that growing your own ginger is super easy and, of course, great for your budget. When you're at the store, choose a ginger root that looks like it has eyes growing from it (much like potato eyes), or take it home and wait for the eyes to grow themselves.
Extending the Life of Your Basil PlantsIn Tahiti I have a large organic garden with two different types of basil plants. One is the large leaf Italian basil and the other is the small leaf basil. Initially I left the plants to grow and produce flowers. Periodically I would cut the plants. However, the plants would start to die off after a few months.
Propagating Basil From CuttingsBasil can get costly, so why not propagate basil. It is very easy to do so! Get some cuttings from a basil plant and place into water. In a couple of days, you'll start to see the roots forming! The photo attached is an example of the roots in 1.5 weeks and almost ready to be planted in soil!
Repot Herbs to Bring InsideI always pot some of my herbs to bring in during the cold weather, then you have fresh herbs all year long!
Herb TerrariYUM!I wanted to make a terrarium from an old fish bowl but couldn't find inexpensive, small leafed plants. I realized that my herbs growing outside would not only look great but I could keep and use them all winter if I planted them in the bowl.
Growing Basil from CuttingsI have fresh basil up until almost December. I live in the northeast and the garden will soon be going to bed. In mid September, I take cuttings from basil plants and put them in a clear glass dish such as a bread loaf pan.
Plant Basil in Portable ContainerPlant basil in a small container so you can easily move it around in your garden. Basil has almost no pests and is a natural insect repellent. It is also the easiest herb to grow and tolerates little water and any type of soil.
Grow Your Own HerbsIt can be very expensive to buy herbs from the grocery store. The next time you need to buy a bunch for a recipe, purchase a potted herb plant from the home improvement store instead.
Soothing Effects of Lemon Balm TeaWhen I first was given a start of lemon balm, I had no idea what to do with it! The second season, I was pretty wary because it had spread over a large area. It spreads by seeds and maybe by runners underground.
Water Acid Loving Herbs With Leftover CoffeeI planted my acid loving herbs near my kitchen door, and in the morning when my morning coffee finishes brewing, I put the used grounds directly onto the soil, instead of having to walk them to the compost bin or throw them away!
Grow Your Own MintIf you don't like to pay the high price of it at the store, save $200 for just 2 or 3 hours work. I was able to collect 3 lbs of mint and it lasts me 6 months.
Preventing Basil From FloweringMy basil looks as though it is going to flower. Can this process be halted by cutting off the brackets or is this useless?
Drying HerbsI have lots of herbs growing. When is the best time to harvest them for drying and storage?
Herbal Gift IdeasSoon herb starts will be available. Trailing rosemary makes a wonderful gift if given some time to grow. Repot the start in a nice pot (two is nicer). Take a coat hanger and bend it into a circle or heart shape and stick it into the soil.
