Southern Spirit Hunters
Gardening => Vegetables and Fruit => Topic started by: bestofour on Aug 10, 2010, 07:54:14 AM
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duh, you're so good. You know all the growing rules. I just throw my basil seeds into the garden and hope for the best. If it rains they get watered if it's warm they get sun. Good thing I'm close to a grocery store huh.
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I do the same Sheri but I am thinking of getting a metal container for my herbs like a miniature horse watering trough.
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The grocery store is great except they don't carry cinnamon basil. I've got my fingers crossed that it grows this time. I'm hording the pinch I have left.
I like having the herbs close to the door so I can step out and get what I want. I'm thinking flower boxes on the deck for the herbs one of these days. But there are so many projects in front of that to do.
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the rosemary has given up the ghost. Can't say that I'm surprised since I didn't water and it hasn't rained in 2 months.
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Two of the cinnamon basil have sprouted. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get them from seedling to plant. This is where I've been loosing them all.
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Arthritic fingers are crossed, Tammy.
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fingers crossed tammy
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fingers crossed Tammy
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Thanks all. I love my cinnamon basil so this is important to me. I know crazy right?
I have good news to impart. I layered my sage this spring because it's about 4 years old and I've heard that they only last about 7 years and that this is the best way to keep them going. It's the first time I've tried a soft wood layering and it appears to have worked. I haven't cut it from the parent yet but it does look like it's own little miniature sage bush.
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that is good tammy. keep us posted.
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Parsley lover here, grow it yearly an dry it for winter use. Love it.
dodge
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Good luck, Tammy
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Thanks Penny.
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I like parsley too.
duh, you may have told me already but what is it you do with that cinnamon basil?
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Kill it :duel:
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:laughpound: have you had bad luck with cinnamon basil dodge?
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LOL
Your a wacko. I never had cinnamon basil.
I hat basil itself.
DO you use it like cinnamon?
d
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I do like cinnamon alone or with sugar on toast but I'm not fond of basil. I can't imagine the two flavors together.
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I use cinnamon in my apple sauce tonite. I been doing lots of sauce lately.
Haley says More apple sauce , when she eats here.. I am going down in the book of life of Haley , as Granny Applesauce.LOL hysteria
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Johnny eats a lot of applesauce - not me.
As long as you're in Haley's book dodge.
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granny applesauce. i like that!
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Granny B is my trade name........
LOL
What will you be called bayou?
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i don't know yet. either granny or gee gee. long story on that but the girls like gee gee. so that might well be what it is. of course, the babies will decide :BigGrin:
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They will call you Gee Gee Jiffy
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I like Jiffy better than bayou,
We had to make a decision on how we wanted called cause , the other granny had other g kids an they had grandma an grandpap taken.
So not to confuse Haley we chose granny b an Pap Pap.
Jiffy always was my favorite mouse till she got in a trap..LOL
Kidding
dodge
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Cinnamon basil doesn't taste like basil or cinnamon to me. But I will say that if I dry it and then sprinkle it in the breading for pork chops they come out wonderful.
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How are the basil babies Duh? Don't over water, that can be a problem for me. I get so afraid they'll dry out that I drown them.
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duh, do you grind it till it's fine?
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You can also use cinnamon basil in pesto, very yummy......add a small sprig to a cup of tea, yumm.....if you like making floral arrangements, you can add a sprig or two, and it smells wonderful.....i have seen the leaves, frozen into ice cubes and used with lemonade.
Its also nice in a fruit salad, takes the tang off some of the fruit thats in there.
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I have two seedlings out of the four seeds i planted this time. They are taking there time getting their first true leaves. And you are absolutely right they are very delicate at this stage. I crumble it with my fingers rather than reducing it to a powder.
I hope my post isn't to jumbled to be understood. I can't figure out how to fix it.
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If I ever see any I'm sure going to try it.
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If my sprouts grow remind me and I'll dry you some.
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If I ever see any I'm sure going to try it.
You should.
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The cinnamon basil was fine yesterday and this morning it was dead. I'm going to throw away the soil bleach the pot and try with new soil. If that doesn't fix it then something is up with the seeds. I so love cinnamon basil that this is a real pain.
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Damping off is caused by soil fungi. Those are kind of everywhere. Even when you use soilless mixes that are perfectly sterile. So they float in the air looking for a place to call home, soil surface. There are products to add to your water that kill them off. There are a lot of home remedies from cinnamon sprinkled on the soil surface, sand on soil, camomile tea for watering, etc. I have done the cinnamon to good purpose.
It is disheartening because it strikes down plants so quickly, heartlessly.
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Oh no duh. What happens if you direct sow in the spring?
I let my rosemary die from lack of water. It was as big as a shrub and close to the back door, I was just lazy and watched it die. I bought another one at the farmers market today.
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It didn't act like damp off I've run into that before. But no matter what it was I've planted 2 seeds each in yogurt containers that I have bleached and put brand new potting soil in. I've also moved them to the sunniest window I have which is where the avocado trees are. All I can do is cross my fingers.
I'm sorry to hear about your rosemary. I'm glad you could replace it. Mine is still surviving and I'm very happy about that.
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pARDON ME , OFF TOPIC.
wHAT ARE THE HICKEYS AT THE BOTTOM OF SHERI'S PAGE?
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Are you talking about the trophies? Those are trophies for having the top score in a game from the arcade. Many of us have them, but Dianna has the most - usually.
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duh, I saw this online but you probably already know all this.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5064692_grow-use-cinnamon-basil.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_5064692_grow-use-cinnamon-basil.html)
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Thanks for the link. It's always nice to look at recipes. Although I've never grown a cinnamon basil that actually tasted like cinnamon. The ones I grow have a unique flavor but it is definitely more on the side of the basil.
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Good link, Sheri.
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The cinnamon basil have survived to grow their second set of true leaves which I pinched to promote branching. They are leggy which means they aren't getting as much light as they would like. But they are in my sunniest window so I'm going to have to think of something else to provide them with more light.
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can you move them outside on warm, sunny days and bring them back in? Year before last I had some stuff on the screened in porch that I put up against the wall and covered with the stuff that comes off Johnny's dry cleaned shirts. It acted like a tiny green house and the plants did fine. Wonder if you could try something like that until they're bigger.
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with night time temps in the 30's I'm not willing to try that. Plus I don't want the outside bugs inside yuck.
That's why I don't overwinter anything. If I had a porch I might try it there but I don't have one. I would like one but I can't really figure out how to do it. Plus there is the money issue.
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If they are getting "leggy", Tammy....what about burying them deeper in the pot?
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Sorry to change the subject but will parsley grow inside during the winter?
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Yes:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4450807_grow-parsley-indoors.html (http://www.ehow.com/how_4450807_grow-parsley-indoors.html)
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thanks.
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Some plants don't like that and I'm not willing to risk my cinnamon basil. I can handle leggy as long as they survive.
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I wish I could find a parsley plant but I'll bet they're gone from everywhere now. I may just start a pot on my back porch.
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I think I found parsley if they don't let them die tonight.
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I just had to share that I have found a new friend who is interested in growing an herb garden. So now I have someone to share my plants with who is close by. It's nice because there is no postage involved. I'm gave her this website in an of hand manner. I'll get her e-mail and then make sure she has it in a link. I think you all will like her.
two of the cinnamon basil are still hanging in there. These are different from the ones I had before. The leaves are more traditionally basil shaped and bigger. I look forward to the first harvest and making my pork chops with them.
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The chives have put up new leaves. These are the nice fat healthy green ones. I love chives and once a clump gets 3 years old it's just about perfect to my way of thinking. I'll definitely be drying some this year for over the winter.
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I will be trying all sorts of herbs..thyme,basil,etc but then some interesting new ones as well :D I have a bay leaf tree that i love havent had to buy bay leafs for over 3 years now that has saved me a bunch. Cant wait to get all the herbs going going to do quite a bit in pots on thedeck that way i dont have to walk as far to cut them for our dinners and such :D
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Oh i love chives :D yumm cant wait for those to!
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Ok, the cinnamon basil have been transplanted out of their yogurt cups. They were definitely root bound. Now I shouldn't have to water them twice a week.
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Yah less to think about it always good :D lol at least for me.. i can be forgetful sometimes!! Do you have a green house?
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I love chives too, especially the garlic flavored.
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yummm i am so excited tob garden and harvest
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No I don't have a green house. They are planted in my sidewalk bed. I have herbs here and there and everywhere. One day I may actually transplant them all into a herb garden but so far I kind of like there spread out among the flowers.
I've gotten the garlic flavored chives from time to time but I can never taste the garlic and they don't seem to have as much onion flavor either so I prefer the regular chives.
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today I transplanted both of the cinnamon basil into an Ice Cream Pail. The decorator pots I had them in are way to small. So I'm adding to my christmas list. Large (Ice Cream Pail sized), decorator pots for inside the house. Otherwise I look alittle like a hoarder come spring with all the yogurt cups and potato salad containers all over the house. I need a few decorator pots amoung the others so at least I believe the plants are suppose to add beauty and charm to the house.
Does anyone know if I can put up a large hanging basket in the house. I really need one for the epi but I'm afraid I'll pull the ceiling down on my head.
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you can tammy. you just have to make sure you screw the hook into a ceiling beam. in my house, they are very near the ceiling seams.
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ceiling seams? My ceiling has that stupid popcorn stuccoing so I can't even tap for a beam without raining plaster down on my head. Maybe someone I know how one of those stud finders that I could try. Would that work?
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that should work tammy. my ceiling has the strips covering the joints in the ceiling board. so mine are easy to find. but if you don't have that, borrow a good stud finder.
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Thanks Jenn
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i have peppermint and parsley in my herb list. that's all i felt like getting. the peppermint sure smells good though!
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I have chocolate mint in the foundation bed, smells great when I rake. Sage, thyme, oregano, lemon balm Rosemary and chives. I think that's about all this year. I may do cilantro and parsley this year I haven't decided yet.
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yum... i should look for some chocolate mint.
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remember the first year you transplant it you might not have much smell but the second year it will come right back. I'm not sure why chocolate mint is like that but I've found it to be true.
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my wilted parsley (it came right back after i watered it)
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Kitty wanted in the picture too. I think kitty stole the show.
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That kitty reminds me of Lizzy.
I bought a chocolate mint that I'm keeping in the pot. I also planted some thyme, dill, and basil. Seems like I've already posted this somewhere. Jen, peppermint it a great idea. I think I'll get some too.
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I've heard that dill is invasive, have you ever had a problem with it? What all do you use it for? I've seen it in canned green beans that my husbands co-worker's wife made. Those were some great green beans! But other than that and jewish penicilian I don't have any other recipes that call for it.
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Dill can be invasive but I only put it in the vegetable garden and when it comes back the next year I just plant around it. It doesn't become a ground cover like I've had mint do. I use it in a fresh salad. To me dill has a clean, fresh taste. I sometimes put a dab in chicken, boiled potatoes, once in a while in a shrimp salad. If you like cucumbers you can add a dab of mayo and a tiny bit of dill for a different taste. I don't use it a lot but it's easy to grow and comes back so I plant it. A little goes a long way. Since Johnny doesn't like food with much taste I put all sorts of herbs on my salads that normally wouldn't go. Rosemary for instance. I put a little rosemary in my plate of fresh garden salad.
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Those sound like good uses of dill. I'll keep them in mind.
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i've heard that all of the mint family is invasive, and part of why mine is in a pot. the other reason is i like smelling it when i walk in the front door.
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Dilly beans are very good.
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So, what do I use my lemon balm for?
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I've never tried this but it sounds good
Lemon Balm Bread
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter
¼ cup lemon balm leaves, finely chopped
⅔ cup sugar
2 large eggs
pinch of salt
1 ¾ cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
grated rind of lemon
4 teaspoons lemon juice
¼ cup nuts, chopped, optional
Lemon Balm Glaze:
juice of 1 lemon
¼ cup sugar
½ cup hot water
¼ cup lemon balm leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter with lemon balm leaves; add sugar and beat well. Add rest of ingredients.
Pour mix into greased and floured bread pans. Bake 30-45 minutes or until well done.
Mix together glaze ingredients. After removing bread from oven, pour glaze over hot bread. Let sit in pan and glaze 4-6 hours. Then refrigerate or freeze.
Since it has sugar you might have to give it as a gift.
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lemon balm is good in teas and such, too. Fresh or dried although when I have dried mine, following directions, it doesn't contain much flavor at all.
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Add lemon balm to a vinaigrette for your salad, add it to a little olive oil if you grill or bake chicken. Use it in anything that calls for lemon peel.
Spaghetti adding lemon balm pesto to your sauce.
Combine the lemon balm, olive oil, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Process until combined but still slightly chunky. Warm your tomatoes, mushrooms and whatever else you put in your sauce then add the lemon balm pesto and stir. Spoon over vermicelli or whatever type of noodles you use.
I grow it for the smell but don't cook with it. I'm not a big fan of lemon.
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I might try that pesto.
I bought a German thyme. Anyone use this type of thyme? I didn't realize there are different kinds and what we buy at the store is usually English.
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I love lemon. I used to eat them like apples. Very bad for your teeth, though... :razberry:
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i'm going to be looking into using fresh peppermint. and other mints.
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i'm going to be looking into using fresh peppermint. and other mints.
I have chocolate mint growing here, havent used it in anything yet, but man does it ever smell good!
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I have chocolate mint growing too but have never used it either.
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i have chocolate mint, and love smelling it when i walk by. but i want to try it in something, just don't know what yet.
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I'm going to try it as a tea, cut enough to fill half a cup, steep for a few minutes and drink....i guess you could even add it to ice tea as well.
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interesting idea Penny.
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The chocolate flattens the flavour of the mint in an iced tea. At least that is what I think. I've tried it in flavored water and ice tea. I plan to try a mint jelly with it just as soon as I figure out what I want to add to it to juice it up so it doesn't taste flat.
Thanks for the ideas for the lemon balm.
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did you add a sweetener? With all this rain my plant is gigantic.
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to the water no. to the ice tea yes.
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I'm adding parsley back to the garden. Don't ask me why I just want it. I got the Italian Flat Parsley.
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The snow and cold murdered part of my rosemary shrub so I'll have to work on that and I'll plant parsley, thyme, basil, dill. I have some borage seeds too.
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My rosemary is looking pretty sad too. What are you going to do to try and save yours?
I need to move my thyme higher in the bed. It has climbed over the edging and is invading the lawn such as it is.
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I'm going to cut out the dead parts and see if there's enough left for it to survive.
Do you remember what kind of thyme you planted? I got German thyme last year and didn't like it at all. It's a strong smell and flavor.
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It wasn't specified it just said thyme. Is there a common variety?
Hoe Depot is in my graces this week. They had cinnamon basil plants when I went the other day. You know I snagged one. Which is good because I was down to the last 1/4 tsp.
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Frost killed the cinnamon basil. I'll go and get another today and keep it inside.