Christmas came EARLY-advice needed

[Guest guest]

OH BOY am I so happy! I feel like it's Christmas morning all over!!

 

My hubby is doing a room addition on a house not far from where we live and

the lady of the house grows everything known to man! (Not really, but it

sure seems like it!) Anyway, she GAVE me HUGE pieces of...

Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Chive, Rosemary (my fave), Peppermint, and something

called Rue.

 

First, let me just say, this is my first " herb garden " and I have NEVER had

a garden...so I don't know much about plants. My mom helped me with the

potting. Can anyone tell me about the best growing conditions for the above

plants?? I am assuming I need to bring them in for the winter, but am not

sure?? (I live in NC)

 

I have no idea about the types of oregano or thyme, but they sure smell

heavenly! I potted them last night and gave a good watering. Some of the

'strands' are dried out and was wondering if I should prune it a bit? The

thyme actually looks like it could be a ground cover.

 

The Rosemary had several large pieces (7 total) with the root still in tact,

but some did not. So, I stuck the pieces with no visible root in the dirt

(Miracle Grow potting soil) & am praying they will root. Anybody know??

 

Is Peppermint supposed to be " viney " ?? This one is, but most of all the

herbs she had were growing 'wild'. (I guess a better term would be

'uncontrolled') I was thinking of cutting it back a little so it would

" bush " out more. Any suggestions??

 

Also, does anyone know what Rue is?? She says it is another medicinal herb,

but could not remember what is was good for. I have never heard of this, so

thought I would check with y'all.

 

Sorry for all the questions, but I do NOT want to screw this up! I have been

outside all morning just smelling away!

 

Hugs, Kati

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Kati,

How wonderful, isn't great when the little things make our day!

Here is a herb guide page

http://www.egregore.com/

I would read up on Rue, it can be a skin irritant and toxic, but I

know some people who use it medicinally, if nothing else it is a

insect repellent.

Peppermint, I learned the hard way- don't plant it with anything

else it grows like crazy and will take over your garden:)

I am sure people with green thumbs will be of better help.

Enjoy------use some of that Rosemary on your turkey -YUM!

Gea

 

 

 

, " Kati Toney " <tktoney@e...>

wrote:

> OH BOY am I so happy! I feel like it's Christmas morning all over!!

>

> My hubby is doing a room addition on a house not far from where we

live and

> the lady of the house grows everything known to man! (Not really,

but it

> sure seems like it!) Anyway, she GAVE me HUGE pieces of...

> Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Chive, Rosemary (my fave), Peppermint, and

something

> called Rue.

> Hugs, Kati

[Guest guest]

OHshe GAVE me HUGE pieces of...

Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Chive, Rosemary (my fave), Peppermint, and something

called Rue.

 

First, let me just say, this is my first " herb garden " and I have NEVER had

a garden...so I don't know much about plants. My mom helped me with the

potting. Can anyone tell me about the best growing conditions for the above

plants?? I am assuming I need to bring them in for the winter, but am not

sure?? (I live in NC)

 

I leave mine all out in the garden all winter (SC... northeast part close to NC

border). I do not fertilize since they seem to like to be on the dry side and

most herbs I have seem to like unfertilized soil. Use to put Miracle Gro on them

but are going wild since I stopped using it.

 

I have no idea about the types of oregano or thyme, but they sure smell

heavenly! I potted them last night and gave a good watering. Some of the

'strands' are dried out and was wondering if I should prune it a bit?

 

Yes prune it. It takes more energy for the plant to recover the dried out

strands than it does to make new ones.

 

The

thyme actually looks like it could be a ground cover.

 

It is and is great to put between bricks and all and walk on as it releases its

fragrance. I have it all over the place. I would love to have it instead of

grass in the yard!!

 

 

The Rosemary had several large pieces (7 total) with the root still in tact,

but some did not. So, I stuck the pieces with no visible root in the dirt

(Miracle Grow potting soil) & am praying they will root. Anybody know??

 

Good possibility. I think I would probably lay the no root pieces on the ground

and cover them with soil and pack it down. That way there is more surface to

maybe root.

 

Is Peppermint supposed to be " viney " ??

 

Some mints are. My peppermint vines like that. That is how it spreads... where

it touches the ground it roots.

 

This one is, but most of all the

herbs she had were growing 'wild'. (I guess a better term would be

'uncontrolled') I was thinking of cutting it back a little so it would

" bush " out more. Any suggestions??

 

I cut mine back, no problems. Sometimes pretty hard. Then you can take the stuff

you cut off and just poke a hole in the ground and stick it in and pack the soil

around it.

 

Also, does anyone know what Rue is?? She says it is another medicinal herb,

 

Ruta Graveolens (Rue) grows 2 to 3 ft tall. Has yellow flowers. It is a bitter

aromatic stimulant. Supposedly good for gas pains or colic but I have never used

it, just have it in my flower beds.

 

Lastly I would, if you like, keep some inside and plant some (of each) outside.

And if you like, remind me in the spring and I will send you some others you

didnt mention.

 

Where exactly do you live in NC?

 

Smiles

Neysa

 

 

[Guest guest]

Kati,

 

That's so cool!

Peppermint is invasive and since they are not established plants, you will

have to bring them under cover for the winter. It snows where you are right?

or at least freezes?

 

Rue is really a pretty plant, but I can't remember what it's for, mine died.

Once rosemary is estab. it will grow and grow and grow. it's another

invasive if you let it. there are also kinds that mound, but since you said

these were uncontrolled, sounds like they are not the mounding type.

Rosemary is tough stuff. We took out a huge mound and one little pc is still

growing, the bark is all cut up and smashed and it's still growing.

 

Be careful on pruning oregano. Do NOT prune it severely, it may not grow

back, but you can certainly cut off any dead parts.

 

Let everything grow and establish roots, then decide how you want to prune

or cut back next summer.

 

gotta get back to painting the kitchen red.

 

Warm regards,

Janine Phariss

www.BlueSageNaturals.com

Unique & Innovative Herbals

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I planted my rue seperate from the kitchen herbs. On

a note, the butterflies LOVE rue, almost as much as

dill!

 

It's worth it for the butterflies alone.

Judy

 

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[Guest guest]

Hi Kati,

 

> ... she GAVE me HUGE pieces of...

Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Chive, Rosemary (my fave), Peppermint, and

something

called Rue.

 

Very awesome!

 

> First, let me just say, this is my first " herb garden " and I have

NEVER had

a garden...so I don't know much about plants.

 

Herbs are generally easy to grow. They don't require a lot of things

like fertilizers and what have you, all they want is a place to live and

lots of " hair cuts " , which is good since you'll be wanting to make lots

of tasty treats with them

 

 

> My mom helped me with the

potting. Can anyone tell me about the best growing conditions for the

above

plants?? I am assuming I need to bring them in for the winter, but am

not

sure?? (I live in NC)

 

Not all of them need to come in for the winter if they are planted in

the ground, but in pots it is recommended you bring them in or plant the

pots in the ground for winter. Here is a web site with a lot of the info

you are looking for about the plants you now have

http://www.essortment.com/in/Gardening.Herbs/

 

> I have no idea about the types of oregano or thyme, but they sure

smell

heavenly! I potted them last night and gave a good watering. Some of the

'strands' are dried out and was wondering if I should prune it a bit?

The

thyme actually looks like it could be a ground cover.

 

Oregano can use a trim, it needs to come in for the winter. Thyme is a

ground cover, and will spread wonderfully! If it is a low growing thyme

you can plant it between stepping stones on paths and whenever you walk

over it you'll get a wonderful whiff of thyme. Those plants divide

happily.

 

> The Rosemary had several large pieces (7 total) with the root still

in tact,

but some did not. So, I stuck the pieces with no visible root in the

dirt

(Miracle Grow potting soil) & am praying they will root. Anybody know??

 

I've never tried to grow rosemary from a cutting. If it were me I'd

probably focus on the ones with roots - cause in the right conditions

they can grown huge! Rosemary needs to come in for the winter ...

 

> Is Peppermint supposed to be " viney " ?? This one is, but most of all

the

herbs she had were growing 'wild'. (I guess a better term would be

'uncontrolled') I was thinking of cutting it back a little so it would

" bush " out more. Any suggestions??

 

Just trim it a bit every so often. Soon you'll have more peppermint than

you know what to do with. I love to let mints go happy in a corner of

the yard. It doesn't need to come in for the winter if you plant it in

the ground. Don't put it any place you don't want it to spread, cause it

will

 

> Also, does anyone know what Rue is?? She says it is another

medicinal herb,

but could not remember what is was good for. I have never heard of this,

so

thought I would check with y'all.

 

Never grew it, but I do believe it is a hardy perennial. Its medicinal,

but can be poisonous if not used properly. It was an ingredient used in

making " four thieves vinegar " I think it was also used to sprinkle

Holy Water or something like that. It can irritate/blister the skin, so

be careful with that one.

 

> Sorry for all the questions, but I do NOT want to screw this up! I

have been

outside all morning just smelling away!

 

 

Have fun with your new herb garden!

 

 

Hugs, Kati

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

 

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