Herbs Growing Strong in Early Spring

by

This spring has really got the herbs growing strong. Good temperatures and rain at the right times has helped them reach new heights. We’ve been surprised at just how quickly a few herbs had grown this early Spring.

The fast-growing herbs were the biennial parsley and perennial tarragon and catnip. These particular herbs were growing right next to the house, within five feet of the stone structure that faces south. The stone walls collect heat as the sun shines during the day. At night they release this stored energy and that boosted the growth of these herbaceous plants. On the side of the herb bed opposite the house is a flagstone walkway, so those large flat stones also hold and release heat that benefits plant growth.

Parsley that was planted last year overwintered and started re-growing early. These flat-leaf parsley plants reached about three feet tall and started putting energy into making their seed heads. Each plant was pulled up, roots and all. Dirt was shaken from the roots and the plants were hung upside down to dry.

Harvested early herbs included Russian tarragon, catnip and flat-leaf parsley.
Harvested early herbs included Russian tarragon, catnip and flat-leaf parsley. These herbs reached a height of two to three feet. Photo taken 11 May 2012.

Catnip was treated the same way, so the entire plant was pulled up and hung to dry. We know there are mother roots that have been established under the flagstone walkway, so the catnip plants that were pulled up will be replaced by others.

The tarragon was pulled up by the roots like the other herbs that were harvested, but instead the Russian tarragon was put in the compost pile. We’ve used it in a few dishes and never appreciated any flavor from the Russian variety. Right next to that we have a French tarragon plant. I only wish that the French tarragon would have grown so well. It’s such a scraggly little plant compared to the Russian one. Perhaps with the large plants out of the area, the French tarragon will now take off. It has such a pleasing scent and anise-like flavor.

May 11 has to be the earliest that we’ve harvested this amount of herbs. Soon, we’ll have to harvest some thyme, mints and oregano so that we get the most flavorful herbs before they go to seed.

Herb Plants Hardened Before Planting Outside

by

Every year we look forward to getting some new plants for the gardens. Herbs, vegetables and flowers are all welcome here. Some flowers and herbs are planted in the vegetable garden and others are sprinkled around the house in various flower beds and containers.

All the herbs seem to be growing strong, except for a little Stevia plant that we picked up at a local greenhouse. Before planting it outside, it was set in an enclosed mudroom along with the other garden plants, like tomatoes, peppers and more herbs.

We use the mudroom to harden plants before transplanting them. Hardening plants is giving them the conditions similar to what they will experience once planted outside. Plants outdoors will experience temperature swings from night to day that aren’t experienced in the greenhouse. Some gardeners will have a fan blowing on their plants for a few days before transplanting them so that they get used to a little wind action. The purpose of hardening plants is to reduce the shock of transplanting and therefore increase their chances of survival.

Small potted herb and vegetable plants being hardened before transplanting outdoors.
Small potted herb and vegetable plants being hardened before transplanting outdoors. Photo taken 2 May 2012.

The mudroom has glass doors facing south, so it warms up nicely during the daytime. However, this room gets no heat so the nighttime can be chilly. Until the weather brought us enough warmer days and nights, the plants were left in the mudroom to harden up for living in the garden. They would receive protection from harsh weather while in the mudroom and still get sunshine during the day to encourage growth.

The problem with the Stevia plant, I think, was a few cold nights. I had left the slider glass door ajar a couple of inches and the plants experienced some time in the cold, maybe colder than 35 degrees for a few nights. Since it’s a Zone 11 plant and native to South America, I figured the cold temps did in this small young plant. The little potted plants had been used to greenhouse living and the shock of going to ambient temperatures was probably too much for the Stevia plant.

Once the danger of frost had passed we planted the vegetable and herb plants in the garden. Most everything was planted the 12th and 13th of May 2012, which is a little earlier than average.