Growing Your Own bay leaves a sense, saves dollars and cents

Two years ago my sister-in-law gave me a bay tree, and I like it. Although I am not a green thumb person, the plant is flourishing. It has developed more than a foot and had dozens of new, bright green leaves. My store sells the herb, and is expensive - about 90 cents per sheet. So I am thrilled to have my own evergreen.

Old equipment, the Greeks to crown victors with a wreath of laurel leaves. Cooks with laurel leaves for centuries. Fresh or dried, theLeaves add a unique taste, all kinds of recipes.

You can start plants from seed. However, the seeds tend to rot. My job was cut, one of the most common ways to start a job. According to "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, cuttings have a higher success rate. "They seem to take cuttings taken in autumn fresh green shoots of a higher success rate." A cut takes six to nine months to root.

If you do not wait that long, you buy a plant from seeda local nursery. The nursery can be different varieties, but Sandie Shores, author of "growing and selling fresh-cut herbs," says one should seek noblis Lauris. This variety does well in zones seven and eight. If your plant is about two meters high and many branches, it is time to transplant them. Shores recommends a pot or a pan that is at least 18 cm in diameter.

Jessica Carson are more growing tips "Bay Laurel - Grow Your Own in a container," an article on line BellaWebsite. They also recommended a 18-inch dish and says the plant tolerates slightly root bound. Carson Council: Water when dry and fertilize every two months, and pruning to maintain size and shape. "Baie make excellent topiary, standards, or even espalier, prune, and shape as desired," he says.

A judge of the Web site article, "Bay Leaf pruning," includes tips to grow. "The growth is usually done twice a year," the article said, "with a cast in springand sometimes a second drive in the summer. "They should not be cut more than one third of the plants growing.

I live in Minnesota so my system passed the winter. The summer is finally here and I want to move out, that a transition should be done gradually. offer "Move it outdoors in full sun and some protection until it has hardened off," advises Shores. If used correctly, Bay Laurel grows past 10-12 years and a beautiful tree.

Youfresh leaves can be dried for future use. Put the leaves between two paper towels. Flatten with a brick or cast iron pan. Put them in a dry place. In about two weeks, the leaves are dry. Store in an airtight container. This herb adds a current flavor to recipes. Add a leaf or two sauces, stews, fish and even pudding and rice pudding.

Family members may think that you win, who cook, like the ancient Greeks, crown with a laurel wreathGarland.

Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson