Growing Basil Indoors During Winter

Growing Basil Indoors During Winter
By Andy Redding

Just because it's the winter season doesn't meant that you have to stop growing your basil. Moving your favorite herb indoors and continuing its growth can be easy and even more convenient. Let's take a look at a few tips for growing basil indoors.

Selecting the Right Lighting

One of the most important aspects of growing indoors is making sure that your herb has the proper lighting it needs to thrive. There are two options for this: natural lighting and artificial lighting.

Growing Under Natural Light

One of the best places to grow indoors is in your kitchen if you have access to natural light there. Growing in your cooking area allows you to conveniently snip your herbs and instantly use them in your meals. Your herb will need at least 4 hours of natural light daily and it's best if you place them under windows that face south or southwest, though east- or west-facing windows also will do. North-facing windows are not bright enough to provide the necessary 4 hours of direct sunlight.

Growing Under Artificial Light

If you are unable to grow under natural light, you can always grow indoors using artificial light. Using this method will require you to set up a spot with fluorescent lights or specifically designed high intensity lights. This method will require that you provide the plants with at least ten hours of light exposure to remain healthy.

Remember these tips when growing under artificial light:

• Keep your fluorescent lights about 2-3 inches away from the tops of your plants, and keep higher output and compact fluorescent lamps about a foot above the tips of your herbs.
• If you're using very high intensity lighting, keep them about two to four feet above the plants.

Choosing the Right Potting

When growing indoors you may want to take a few other things under consideration that you otherwise might not think about when growing outdoors. For one, you need to lessen the amount of drainage indoor to make sure you don't ruin your tabletop or windowsill by letting your potted basil drain on it. Also, when you let your plants sit in water they will rot and be ruined. Instead, place your potted plant on top of a saucer, liner or drain pan to catch water and protect you surface.

Although clay pots help with drainage, they can also dry out quickly. This is especially important to consider if you live in a dry climate or are growing herbs indoors during winter when the heater is running. Instead, try a glazed or plastic container that won't dry out as quickly as clay.

Choosing the Right Soil

Basil is a unique herb in that it prefers a nutrient-rich, slightly acidic soil that drains easily. It's best to select a light potting mix that contains a high percentage of organic matter. You need to make sure that the soil holds moisture but is never soggy. When purchasing your soil, choose a mixture that is formulated for foliage plants opposed to one formulated for flower production. Flower production of basil plants should always be avoided.

Indoor Temperatures for Growing Basil

Most people grow basil indoor during the winter for obvious reasons, but you can really grow basil indoor anytime of the year. Basil prefers the same temperatures that most people do, around 65 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you're comfortable, it's likely that your basil is too.

Now, time to get your indoor project started With the right type of lighting, pottery, soil and temperature you'll be certain that you can enjoy the flavors and health benefits of your favorite herb year around. Keep these tips in mind, and good luck with your next indoor basil project!

Growing basil and other herbs at your own home is a great way to introduce gardening and a healthy lifestyle to your every day life. Learn more about growing basil indoors and outdoors, preserving basil through the winter, and recipes for this healthy herb at http://growingbasilinfo.com/

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Can You Grow Healthy Roses Without Using Dangerous Pesticides?

Can You Grow Healthy Roses Without Using Dangerous Pesticides?
By Margaret E
Roses are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases but many of us have seen old roses growing unattended in neglected gardens, where they haven't been sprayed or given any other care. When conditions suit their needs roses grow with little or no human intervention.
When I first started growing roses I was told that without a spraying regime, the plants would be disease-ridden and of poor quality. I hated spraying, both the messy job and the danger from fumes or skin absorption. I issued an ultimatum: grow without chemical help or be replaced. Most of them stayed. That was around forty years ago. I have moved to another location now but I don't spray my roses here, either, and they are healthier than my friend's sprayed ones.
How, then do you grow healthy roses without using dangerous pesticides? I think in my early gardening years luck was part of the equation, but a more reliable way is to use an organic gardening system such as the one described below. It is important to choose your plants carefully and build up healthy soil that will support their growth. Proper preparation will spare you a lot of remedial work later. Pruning is helpful, but it's a topic for separate discussion. See below for a link to information on pruning roses*.
Before Planting
1. Buy rose varieties that are suited to your area. For example, if you are living in a cold area don't try to grow Tea roses. A rose that is growing well in a neighbour's garden should grow in yours too. If you plan to buy from outside your area check out the temperature range within which those roses will grow.
2. Roses need 8 - 10 hours of sun a day so position your rose bed accordingly. There are some old-fashioned roses, such as rugosas, that can grow with less sun so if the site is a little on the shady side, look for rose varieties that are more tolerant of shade.
3. Prepare the soil by digging in compost or well-rotted manure. This will not only help to feed the plants but will help the soil to retain water more evenly. Roses prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0 - 6.5). For more information on building healthy soil see http://gardening.about.com/od/soil/a/GardenSoil.htm
4. A way of ensuring that the water reaches the roots when you water is to sink a piece of wide plastic tubing about 30 cm long (12 inches) into the soil near the plant and level with the soil. You could fill this with small stones to keep soil from blocking it. A tube each side of the plant is even better.
5. Consider using companion planting. Garlic, parsley, alyssum, mignonette and nasturtiums are recommended companions to discourage pests and attract beneficial insects.
Planting
1. When planting, dig a large hole and add compost and/or well-rotted manure. Sprinkle a little bone dust or organic fertilizer over it and mix through.
2. Back fill the hole with a mixture of soil and compost. If the plants have been grafted make sure the graft stays above the soil level.
3. Water in thoroughly
4. Don't add any more fertilizer until you see new growth.
Care
1. Use an organic fertilizer to feed the roses about once a month
2. Water frequently, watering the bases of the plant not the leaves.
3. If insect pests appear get rid of them with a soapy water spray, spray with neem oil or use another recognized organic spray.
4. Neem also helps plants resist diseases. If powdery mildew or black spot appear you may need to buy an organic product. Remove any diseased leaves and destroy them - do not compost them.
A note of interest: in my country, New Zealand, we can buy Neem in the form of granules. These are sprinkled around plants every 4 - 6 weeks and watered in. By doing this I grow roses without aphids or other insect pests. I also used it around spring cauliflower plants when I saw caterpillars on the leaves and now have undamaged cauliflowers ready to cut. If you can get it, it appears to work as well as Neem oil and is easier to use.
While this may seem a lot of work it is actually less than is required for growing roses the conventional way. Your plants are healthier and need less attention. If you choose to use organic sprays they are safer than chemical or synthetic ones but still require care when being used. Make sure you read the instructions on the container.
A final thought: Did you know that you can eat rose petals? If you want to indulge in culinary creativity with roses you will want to avoid the use of toxic pesticides.
* To find out about pruning roses visit:
https://www.davidaustinroses.com/american/Advanced.asp?PageId=1920
Gardening should not be a tiresome chore but an engrossing pastime. Would you like more information on easy ways to http://abundantgarden.net grow vegetables in order to increase your knowledge and save yourself work in the garden? At http://abundantgarden.net you'll find helpful ideas, a chance to comment or ask questions and, if you wish, you can sign up for emails (we won't flood your mailbox) to keep you up to date with what's new at the site.
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