Expert: Leroy J. Wilton - 6/10/2007

Question
I'm organically growing four types of mint in a windowbox on a 28th floor balcony.  I transplanted the mint about two weeks ago and the edges of the spearmint are all turning brown.  I water everyday because it's very windy up on the 28th floor.  Please help before all of the herb plants that I spent a small fortune on die!

I'm also growing three types of oregano, two types of basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram, and oregano.  The stevia and one type of oregano already went to herb heaven!

Thank you so very much!

Answer
GiGi:
It sounds like you need more growing containers for your herbs. Mint will take over any container. It needs its own pot to grow well. Prune it back hard and keep it pruned every 3 weeks. Take plastic bottles and punch 1 ice pick hole in bottom, fill with water and liquid fish fertilizer and set bottle beside plant and walk away. Do this every 3rd day only. Use fertilizer only every 3 weeks. Basil needs its own pot and must be pruned weekly. Take 1/3 off each branch.
Below is my "how & when to prune" list. You can get fish fertilizer from home depot/ Lowe's Good Luck!!

How & When to Prune Your Herbs

Herbman3@peoplepc.com

There seems to be very little info on when and how much to prune our herbs.                                

I have a little formula that I now use that may help you to have healthier and productive plants.                                                          To tell you the truth, I did not practice this myself until I started to experiment with pruning the rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme. What a difference I saw in this timely pruning!

As new growth begins in the spring and gets to 6 to 12 inches, cut 1/3 from the top down on each stem, SPARE NO ONE! This will be done every 3 weeks or less, depending on how much you use the plant.

Don't go over 3 weeks without cutting it, even if you don't need to use it!                                                                      

Make an herbal vinegar, freeze, give away or if scented, place in old nylon stocking, tie in a knot and put into your dryer, clothes drawers, closets, car ashtrays, car pillows, coat pockets, etc.

Basil is a must for constant pruning. It also keeps the plant from becoming too woody.

Don't let it flower for more flavorful leaves. You can slow the flowering down a little more (especially basil ) by cutting 3 pairs of leaves below the flower heads.

Leroy