AboutLeroy J. Wilton Expertise I have been growing herbs organically for 27 years. I have also written and self-published a book, "Herbman`s Journal".144+ pages of herbs that I have grown. Photo & short profile at the Smile Herb Shop on "you tube".Sign in "The healing herbs part 3A & 3B". My face book "the Herbman"
You can request it from my e-mail.It is $24.95 with free shipping. 5517 Nome Ave., Balto..Md.21215. It is loose -leaf, 151 pg. A free "Herbman" t-shirt included while they last(large,X-large).It covers many names of herbs that I have grown, such as culantro,shadow bennie, recao de monte & 97 other names.
Experience I have been growing herbs organically for 27 years. I have also written and self-published, loose leaf binder, "Herbmans Journal". 2008 is my last year at Smile Herb Shop. I plan to grow herbs in my small back yard and sell at David's Natural Store in Columbia, Md. on saturdays. I also will return to the Baltimore Herb Festival in May 2009(memorial day weekend).I used the word organically grown, but the state came into the picture and stated that I could not use the word unless I become certified & paid a $300.00 fee. I decided to add to my name (99% chemical-free) since nothing on this planet is 100%, except Jesus Christ, taxes & death. My customers were satisfied with this instead of paying a large fee and raising my prices,with no guarantee that it is organic except for a label.Their belief was in my word.
Question Hi, I live in an apartment w/o a balcony so all plants need to be grown inside. I do have a good afternoon sun exposure. My mother recently purchased a small basil plant for me. It's in a 4-in container (with soil) and drainage holes. I'd like to keep it alive long as possible. Should I give it fertilizer? Should I transplant to a bigger pot? It seems to require water daily--does that indicate it's unhappy? And last, how should I pick leaves for cooking--meaning should I take one leaf from each cluster or pluck an entire cluster of leaves?
On a separate note, do you have an opinion of the Aerogarden equipment? I'm tempted to purchase, but it's a lot of money for me, and I don't know if it's a worthwhile investment.
Thank you.
Answer Deborah:
Basil hates the indoors. It needs an eastern location with early morning sun all day. It is a light & heat loving plant. Move to a 6" or deeper pot. Do not water every day. Water every 3 days, but do not let it get soggy. Fertilize with a liquid fish and/or seaweed mix every 3 weeks. Prune 1/3 off each branch from the top down. Pluck a few leaves. Unhappiness comes from too much water; not enough light or heat. Do not know anything about the aerogarden. If it is expensive, I would stick with the old fashion way.
