I have basil, stevia, orageno, lemon balm, tyme and sage. I have before brought my stevia in the house. I will bring in some of my lemon balm since I use it for dd's JRA. It gets cold here, most herbs winter kill. What should I do?
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"Do the best that you can where you are, and be kind." by Scott Nearing
It might be helpful to know what zone you live in as far as cold weather goes. Most plants have a zone that they will winter thru. Covering your herbs in the fall with straw or leaves may help give them protection from the winter cold and next spring they will come back and grow.
Connie, I've done both. Left the parsley, sage, thyme, oregano? in the ground, stays good until December and comes back in the spring. Garlic too. Be sure to use a light mulch and look for mice if using straw. The frost sensitive ones like basil I bring in and put under lights. If you remember to water them and use a timer, they are good all winter, then I put them back out on the deck in the spring. Actually, since having a dog and watching her pee on my chives, I keep all my herbs in pots now and keep them going year round.
Lights are easy. A 4 foot shop light and two bulbs, drip pans, and a timer set for 16 hours minimum.
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Ellen in PA
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power, and a sound mind."
I bring in a few for the winter, but most I just leave in the ground and let them come back next season. It just depends on which ones you will really use in the winter. Some of them I pick and dry and then I have even those for winter use with the original plant outside ready to come back in the spring.
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When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping"; now we just "chunky dunk"
connie, I have bought stevia in little packets to put as sweetener in coffee. How do you use it from the fresh plant?
Has anyone had any success with mint indoors? I am supposed to be a good gardener but for the life of me, cannot keep a mint patch or plant alive! LOL!
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Ellen in PA
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power, and a sound mind."
Ellen for the life of me, I can not figure out how to use fresh or dried homegrown stevia! Drives me nuts.
My mint outside grows like crazy. I have been killing it for years trying to get it under control. Indoors well that is another story. I don't think mint likes to be brought inside.
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"Do the best that you can where you are, and be kind." by Scott Nearing