by Briscoe White | Feb 17, 2010 | A Year in the Life.., Flowers, Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening |
We will plant these new beds. So far all we have been able to do is wait, all is ready but the weather. We have big plans for this garden we are calling “ a year in the life”. This cold frame structure is covered with a sheet of construction grade plastic, when spring temperatures are reliably warm we will remove it and cover with a shade fabric which gives about 30% shade and breaks up wind and heavy rainfall. The plastic keeps the inside warm, but not when temperatures are as low as now.
The beds are laid out to give us a demonstration garden for the plants we sell. We will keep a photo record of each planting, we will have flowering annuals and will mix in an assortment of culinary herbs. We hope to keep a bed of medicinal herbs and maybe some aromatic herbs, but would like some input as to what we should plant.
One bed may have a large basil plant surrounded by calibrachoa and celosia, combining herb plants with annual plants. First seeds will be sown in a week or two, as soon as night temps rise out of the twenties. For now I am still stuck talking about what I am going to do, but this has been one rough winter. Not yet, but soon we will have these beds full of plants!
The first daffodils are a sure sign that spring is on its way!
by Briscoe White | Jan 18, 2010 | Growing, Herbs, Miscellaneous |
I have a little experiment going in our greenhouse using some really cool towers that let us grow vertically. The towers are a series of stacking bowls which allow for 6 plants on each level. We have been experimenting and looking for a crop we can grow in these towers; it turns out herbs work great.
What we want to do is be able to cut fresh herbs in winter, vertical growing lets us use more of the heated greenhouse space. Mints work great, but we worry they will become pot bound soon. Peppermint is most popular followed Spearmint. Chervil still demands some shade, even from winter sun!.
Oregano has a lot of variations: Italian and Greek, also Marjoram and Zataar. Parsley: Italian for cooking and curly for a garnish. And for our furry friends, we grew Catnip, as most of us have at least one. Herbs do not grow as fast in winter, so we wait for sunny weather and see how fast the plants grow. Being an experiment, we are not sure how well herbs grow in winter.
by Briscoe White | Dec 17, 2009 | Gardening, Growing, Herbs |
Winter is here! When it is really cold even when the sun shines, it is winter. In the greenhouse we follow the same old seasonal path year after year. One thing we have learned is that our propagating table is not warm enough in winter to root cuttings.
Usually we delay cuttings until after winter equinox, we are pretty busy sowing seeds this time of year.
We have an urgent call for cut mints from one of our culinary customers: give me cut mint ASAP! Unfortunately we will have to start by rooting some mint stems, and this may be tricky in December. I always say where there is a will; there is a way! Working with our seedlings, we noticed the germination chamber satisfies all the requirements for rooting: warm and humid with indirect light. We took some stem cuttings from Peppermint, Mojito mint, and Spearmint ‘Kentucky Colonel’.
In two weeks we have roots! They are not quite ready for life outside the chamber, but soon they will move to the greenhouse and finish filling their little cells. As soon as weather permits these little plants will be growing in the field; providing pounds of cut mint for tables in NYC.
by Briscoe White | Dec 14, 2009 | Basics, Gardening, Growing, Herbs |
I am sure all of you reading this are aware that herbs love sunshine, they do not grow in the shade. It only seems that we are growing our greenhouse herbs in shade due to the absence of sunlight these last few weeks. Beginning with a strong Nor’easter, we have been rained on, washed by flowing torrents, and flooded by tides that get higher as long as the wind blows. The rain gauge has overflowed so many times we lost an accurate count of total inches fallen; but I will hazard 6” the last few weeks. One night last week we did measure 3.5”; water, water everywhere. We keep our Twitter account active with frequent Tweets; one of our contacts in California has been Tweeting about their lack of rain. Too bad we cannot virtually send them some of our excess. Growing herbs during one of these long wet cycles can be very challenging, especially in winter. Most herbs prefer dry, well-drained soil, none like their roots wet for an extended time. Even in the greenhouse, it is hard to keep the herb plants dry enough after days of cloudy weather. It is best to only water herbs in danger is wilting, until the sun returns. Culinary herbs grow well inside if provided adequate sunlight, six hours minimum. During the winter months, herbs such as marjoram, oregano, thyme, and rosemary can be kept as potted plants in a kitchen window, ready for trimming as the cook demands seasoning. To keep your herbs healthy through this long rainy period, keep the soil on the dry side. Winter savory, parsley, and bay are all favorites in the cook’s winter garden, they make very nice potted plants and are ready to join dinner when the cook calls. As soon as the sunshines again, I will give my herbs a big drink of water, with a shot of fish fertilizer to celebrate the return of sunny days.
by Briscoe White | Dec 8, 2009 | Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening |
You know the aroma. I looked it up on the Urban Dictionary.com; those living an alternate or bohemian lifestyle seem to favor patchouli. That must describe greenhouse workers, because patchouli is always present in ours. Whether wafting from a passing co-worker or from the source itself. Patchouli is one of our top five favorite herbs. You can hardly get through a day here without smelling it once.
Patchouli makes what I call a great pet plant, a plant which will live in a pot for years. Potting makes it a great houseplant in winter which loves to spend summer outside on a deck or patio. A native of tropical Asia, patchouli likes it hot and humid, it should be inside before night temperatures drop below fifty. The soil should be watered when moist to the touch; they need lots of water, maybe every day in summer. Fertilize once or twice a month, as too much will reduce the oil content.
Anyone looking for an herb to grow potted, patchouli is one worth considering. It’s large dark green leaves are shiny and beautiful, with pinching it will form a nice rounded shrub like plant. Flowers appear in fall but are inconsequential in appearance, heady in aroma. In its native habitat, patchouli is an under-story plant and should be protected from full sun. Though not for everyone, patchouli makes a great pet plant.
by Briscoe White | Dec 7, 2009 | Containers, Gardening, Growing, Herbs, Indoor Gardening, Miscellaneous |
We have been growing herbs as potted plants for about 25 years. Way back then herbs were not available even in the larger greenhouses; having a selection of herbs is what made our garden center stand out from the others. Herbs are now a mainstream crop, not the exotic niche market it was a few short years back.
Potted herbs are still our main crop, but after agreeing to grow a few custom orders for cut herbs we are growing and shipping more each year. I guess we are not exactly local since almost all these cut herbs go to NYC, but we are a lot closer than many growers selling in NY. Virginia to NY in less than 24 hours is the key to our success, the herbs are on a restaurant table in 48 hrs. A few years ago I would not believe this possible, but the internet has linked the farm to the world!
Attempting to grow cut herbs year round, we are experimenting with the towers pictured. Herbs are: Oregano, Marjoram, Zaatar, Parsley, and Basil. These herb towers will allow us to grow cuts in the greenhouse in winter. Catnip for the kitties and the rest for cooking. Fresh herbs make a difference!
