Growing Bay leaves
Good morning, I had mentioned yesterday that for Mom's Day I received a pot garden of herbs. One of them was bay leaves. I went online to determine the best way to treat them (I love to garden and cook). Every site kept talking about a tree! From 3feet tall to 60' tall. This is about 8" tall, the leaves look exactly like a bay leaf I would buy at the store. Is there a difference between the tree they talk about and my herb? Can I use them in cooking before they are 3 years old? Thanks, Pat
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(post #12579, reply #1 of 19)
Congratulations! You're a Mom again! It's a baby.....tree!
I would give it time to develop a bit before snipping leaves off for cooking, but I don't see the need to wait three years.
Marty
"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins
Marty
"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins
(post #12579, reply #2 of 19)
Oh no!!! That is too funny. I guess I have a new tree then. I'll even look into planting it in the ground. About how long do I wait to use them for cooking? Thanks Marty, Pat
(post #12579, reply #3 of 19)
I am unsure how it will do in Florida, though it is definitely rated for your climate. I know we have a couple of Floridians who visit regularly, and they might be better able to advise. That said, I'd plant it out now and start harvesting next year if it were me. By the way, it should top out no taller than about 40 feet; with pruning you could hold it to large shrub size.
Marty
"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins
Marty
"The plants have been good to us." Lester Hawkins
(post #12579, reply #4 of 19)
Thank you! I will get it out tomorrow. And any Florida people out there, get in touch! Pat
(post #12579, reply #5 of 19)
Not a FL person here but I know a few. Bay laurel do well in FL but are susceptible to scale.
North Carolina - zone 7
North Carolina - zone 7
(post #12579, reply #8 of 19)
Good a.m., I am in zone 8. I didn't expect a tree when I got this beautiful herb garden in a pot. But surprises keep me going! I am going to keep it in the pot for a year then transfer it to ground but keep it at a normal size for a bush. Thanks, have a good day. Pat
(post #12579, reply #9 of 19)
Fresh picked bay leaves have a much more distinct aroma than the dried. The first time I used some in a stew it was a revelation. Really fragrant and spicy.
New Mexico home organic gardener
Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson
(post #12579, reply #10 of 19)
Good Morning! I know, just the smell of the fresh ones was wonderful. Do you know about the info I got somewhere online that they should not be used for cooking until the "tree" is at least 3'tall? Thanks and have a great day. Pat
(post #12579, reply #11 of 19)
No, I didn't know that, thanks. My growing space is getting limited so I don't think I will try to squeeze in a bay tree, even if I wish to. There are sometimes fresh bay leaves in Walmart here at times in the vegetable section, usually in the fall, in time for Thanksgiving. Makes a really nice flavor and scent.
New Mexico home organic gardener
Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson
(post #12579, reply #12 of 19)
I have an allspice tree (Pimenta dioica) and the leaves are wonderfully fragrant. It hasn't flowered yet; but I've used the leaves in cooking instead of a bay leaf. It gives an interesting flavor.
(post #12579, reply #15 of 19)
Hi again! didn't know how to post to all who helped me with my "Bay" tree. Well, it wasn't.........it is a basil plant. And I am loving it. Have a great day. Pat
(post #12579, reply #6 of 19)
http://mgonline.com/LaurusNobilis.html
Here's some info on a bay laurel. What zone are you in? Florida is a very large state and the growing conditions are quite different in the various areas.
There are a couple of different plants that are grown as bay leaves. Do you know which you have?
Edited 5/12/2009 11:14 pm ET by bkacker
(post #12579, reply #7 of 19)
Hello! I am in zone 8. I don't know why I am so confused with this plant. I just thought I was getting a "plant" not a tree. But will keep it in the pot at least this summer and move the other goodies to their own pots. Will also check out the websites you mentioned. Thanks! and have a good day. Pat
(post #12579, reply #13 of 19)
Long time but I have a confession to make! The "Bay" tree I thought I had is a basil plant!!!! So now I don't have to worry about a tree, and this is the most beautiful plant, smells wonderful, and I am using it in so many recipes. Have a great day. Pat
(post #12579, reply #16 of 19)
Enjoy your ba(y)sil!
(post #12579, reply #17 of 19)
Hi! we are "floridaboy"'s grass. I put the tomato seeds in starting medium this a.m. Didn't hear from anyone who had tried fall tomatoes so I am experimenting.
(post #12579, reply #18 of 19)
Where I am (zone 10) we start tomatoes in the fall. They won't tolerate the summer heat.
(post #12579, reply #19 of 19)
Great about the tomatoes! We got our plants from son in March who built a greenhouse. They are already gone but they were delicious. So now I am growing from seed myself for fall. Have a good day .
(post #12579, reply #14 of 19)
Long time but I didn't know how to send this to everyone that had helped me in May. See response below. My Bay tree was Basil!!!! Pat