Any Gardeners!! Need Advise - YorkieTalk.com Forums

manolos mom · 06-02-2009, 07:59 AM

I planted an Herb Garden this year and want it to last thoughout the year. Will Herbs come back everyear? How do I keep them alive during the winter months and what the best natural fertalizer for Herbs. I planted Oregano, Cilantro,Basil,Dill, Italian Parsley and Banana Peppers. I also bought a Topse Turvy,the upside down tomato planter, I know, it looks ridiculous. This is my first time at the Helm so any advise would be greatly appreciated.Thanks you, Lissette

bchgirl · 06-02-2009, 08:07 AM

Unless you have a hard freeze in Texas...your herbs will come back. The peppers probably not...it's a vegetable not a herb. They like dry soil and lots of sun. Make sure during the growing season you pinched your herbs back often...

I use miracle grow on all of my plants...so I can't offer any "natural" remedy other than perhaps manure or from a compost pile.

I still grow my tomatos upright ....I've seen the planter you mentioned but it got unfavorable reviews from a local garden expert so I haven't purchased one. Plus I don't really have an area to hang it....bad review or not.

AshSavalle · 06-02-2009, 08:07 AM

I never use fertilizer on any of my herbs or veggies. Remember, you are eating them! There are some fertilizers for herbs and veggies though. I am guessing they would be safe.
depending on how cold it gets, the herbs will usually not last through the winter. You can try bringing them inside! If you planted them in the ground you can put them in pots for the winter. If they are in pots just move them inside.
Just for example, last year at our old house I planted cucumber plants in the spring and by the fall they looked like prickly pickles! So it does take about a year for the veggie plants to get going for full bloom!

manolos mom · 06-02-2009, 08:20 AM

Thanks girls, How and where do I pinch. Yes I did plant in the ground with good potting soil. I thought they produce seeds and will germinate next year?

manolos mom · 06-02-2009, 08:24 AM

My Rosemary is huge. Its about 5 years old and I do cut it back. Just planted more. Love the aroma...

Nikki+2 · 06-02-2009, 08:24 AM

Not sure of your zone but basil, cilantro and dill are all annuals which means they will die after flowering and going to seed in one season. You can prolong them by pinching off the flowers. Parsley is a biennial and will go to seed the second year. Oregano is a perennial and will live as long as it doesn't freeze. Tomatoes are also annuals. Many times when plants go to seed, new baby plants will come up so watch for the new babies next year. I fertilize with compost and fish emulsion (both are organic). I am an herb gardening fanatic- love my herbs!

ETA: Obviously you don't want to pich off the flowers of fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers since that's where the fruit comes from. I don't know much about peppers but we've had a tobascco and jalapeno for over a year and both are still doing great.

bchgirl · 06-02-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manolos mom

My Rosemary is huge. Its about 5 years old and I do cut it back. Just planted more. Love the aroma...

Most of my herbs are planted in pots...I bring them in during the winter months and they never always come back in the spring.

I have a rosemary in the ground...oh it is huge and I'm like you...I love how it smells. It is great on chicken too.

I usually pinch off a 1/3 of my plants weekly. You can put them in the fridge to use later on. Basil will get stalky...that one I pinch more often and further down.

jencar98 · 06-02-2009, 09:50 AM

Fish emulsion is a great organic fertilizer.

How do you make homemade Fish/Seaweed Emulsion? -

manolos mom · 06-02-2009, 10:18 AM

Thanks, I will try this....

Nikki+2 · 06-02-2009, 11:26 AM

Just a little warning; fish emulsion stinks to high heaven but the herbs LOVE it and the smell does dissipate. I buy it ready made and dilute it per the directions.

bchgirl · 06-02-2009, 11:28 AM

I live on the water and can imagine that fish emulsion smells a great deal like what herons poop...aka dead fish.

Nikki+2 · 06-02-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bchgirl

I live on the water and can imagine that fish emulsion smells a great deal like what herons poop...aka dead fish.

Haha, yeah it's pretty nasty. We have a protected bird island here and you can't get anywhere near it. If the wind is right, it's almost enough to just make you turn the boat around and rethink your whole day. It might be the worst thing I have ever smelled.

bchgirl · 06-02-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Haha, yeah it's pretty nasty. We have a protected bird island here and you can't get anywhere near it. If the wind is right, it's almost enough to just make you turn the boat around and rethink your whole day. It might be the worst thing I have ever smelled.

Kinda makes ya wonder...does it really need to be protected?? LOL.

Herons nest in pines...and always come back to the same trees even their babies. I don't have pines in my yard...but across the river they do...and slowly it is filling up with herons. Btw, those trees hang over their deck...I imagine quite a smelly mess. The only way to get rid of them...is to cut down the trees...and can't do that cause it's considered wetlands. Glad they don't live at my house I'll say that.

Nikki+2 · 06-02-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Kinda makes ya wonder...does it really need to be protected?? LOL.

Herons nest in pines...and always come back to the same trees even their babies. I don't have pines in my yard...but across the river they do...and slowly it is filling up with herons. Btw, those trees hang over their deck...I imagine quite a smelly mess. The only way to get rid of them...is to cut down the trees...and can't do that cause it's considered wetlands. Glad they don't live at my house I'll say that.

I don't think it would have gotten so bad if it weren't protected but it sure doesn't need any protection now. I doubt anyone gets close enough to even read the signs.

Heron nests are so cool! My dad had one near his house and took pictures of the momma and her new babies every year for me. It's amazing how those big ol' things weather the storms.

lil fu fu girl · 06-02-2009, 01:17 PM

Absolutely love gardening; flowers, vegetables, trees and bushes.
It does not matter what it is to grow, just love the process of planting things. There is something beyond imagination in pressing small seedlings into the ground, then watching the colorful show that ensues. It is amazing how much pleasure one can get from such a simple act.

I wish you the best with your new garden.
The only thing I can say that I feel is important is that you go organic. Use quality organics, soil and fertilizers, and when plants are in pots outside, they need to be watered twice as much as those in the ground.
Would love to see some pics of your new garden.

06-02-2009, 07:59 AM	#1
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	Any Gardeners!! Need Advise I planted an Herb Garden this year and want it to last thoughout the year. Will Herbs come back everyear? How do I keep them alive during the winter months and what the best natural fertalizer for Herbs. I planted Oregano, Cilantro,Basil,Dill, Italian Parsley and Banana Peppers. I also bought a Topse Turvy,the upside down tomato planter, I know, it looks ridiculous. This is my first time at the Helm so any advise would be greatly appreciated.Thanks you, Lissette __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/

06-02-2009, 08:07 AM	#2
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 15,444 Blog Entries: 2	Unless you have a hard freeze in Texas...your herbs will come back. The peppers probably not...it's a vegetable not a herb. They like dry soil and lots of sun. Make sure during the growing season you pinched your herbs back often... I use miracle grow on all of my plants...so I can't offer any "natural" remedy other than perhaps manure or from a compost pile. I still grow my tomatos upright ....I've seen the planter you mentioned but it got unfavorable reviews from a local garden expert so I haven't purchased one. Plus I don't really have an area to hang it....bad review or not. __________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com

06-02-2009, 08:07 AM	#3
AshSavalle Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 263	I never use fertilizer on any of my herbs or veggies. Remember, you are eating them! There are some fertilizers for herbs and veggies though. I am guessing they would be safe. depending on how cold it gets, the herbs will usually not last through the winter. You can try bringing them inside! If you planted them in the ground you can put them in pots for the winter. If they are in pots just move them inside. Just for example, last year at our old house I planted cucumber plants in the spring and by the fall they looked like prickly pickles! So it does take about a year for the veggie plants to get going for full bloom! __________________ Proud mommy of TeddyPippo Pina Buddy and Sonny

06-02-2009, 08:20 AM	#4
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	Thanks girls, How and where do I pinch. Yes I did plant in the ground with good potting soil. I thought they produce seeds and will germinate next year? __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/

06-02-2009, 08:24 AM	#5
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	My Rosemary is huge. Its about 5 years old and I do cut it back. Just planted more. Love the aroma... __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/

06-02-2009, 08:24 AM	#6
Nikki+2 I heart Sugar Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7,373	Not sure of your zone but basil, cilantro and dill are all annuals which means they will die after flowering and going to seed in one season. You can prolong them by pinching off the flowers. Parsley is a biennial and will go to seed the second year. Oregano is a perennial and will live as long as it doesn't freeze. Tomatoes are also annuals. Many times when plants go to seed, new baby plants will come up so watch for the new babies next year. I fertilize with compost and fish emulsion (both are organic). I am an herb gardening fanatic- love my herbs! ETA: Obviously you don't want to pich off the flowers of fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers since that's where the fruit comes from. I don't know much about peppers but we've had a tobascco and jalapeno for over a year and both are still doing great. __________________ "If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." — St. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226 Last edited by Nikki+2; 06-02-2009 at 08:27 AM.

06-02-2009, 09:50 AM	#8
jencar98 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 6,435 Blog Entries: 3	Fish emulsion is a great organic fertilizer. How do you make homemade Fish/Seaweed Emulsion? - __________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~

06-02-2009, 10:18 AM	#9
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	Thanks, I will try this.... __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/

06-02-2009, 11:26 AM	#10
Nikki+2 I heart Sugar Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7,373	Just a little warning; fish emulsion stinks to high heaven but the herbs LOVE it and the smell does dissipate. I buy it ready made and dilute it per the directions. __________________ "If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." — St. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226

06-02-2009, 11:28 AM	#11
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 15,444 Blog Entries: 2	I live on the water and can imagine that fish emulsion smells a great deal like what herons poop...aka dead fish. __________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com

06-02-2009, 01:17 PM	#15
lil fu fu girl No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,410	Absolutely love gardening; flowers, vegetables, trees and bushes. It does not matter what it is to grow, just love the process of planting things. There is something beyond imagination in pressing small seedlings into the ground, then watching the colorful show that ensues. It is amazing how much pleasure one can get from such a simple act. I wish you the best with your new garden. The only thing I can say that I feel is important is that you go organic. Use quality organics, soil and fertilizers, and when plants are in pots outside, they need to be watered twice as much as those in the ground. Would love to see some pics of your new garden.