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- Q.Mothballs Eating Herbs - I put pieces of mothballs on the top of the soil in all my containers/pots to get rid of pesty ...
- Q.Getting Rid Of Aphids On Herbs - On a small second floor balcony I have planted several herbs along with a few flowers in a container. There ...
- Q.Using Clean Diaper For Edible Plant Gardening - Is it safe to use a clean diaper for edible plant gardening? I like to grow herbs in containers, but ...
- Q.Potted Herbs Over Winter - I am growing thyme, sweet basil, rosemary, and chives. Since I live in Michigan, can I put the pots in ...
- Q.Indoor Gardening - I'm wondering what would be the best cfl bulb to grow herbs like basil under? Thank you
- Q.Indoor Herb Planters - I would like to plant Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Cilantro and Thyme in two indoor planters. Which of the plants I ...
- Q.Planting Herbs Indoors - I'm not sure when or how much to prune back my herbs. I have planted thyme, parsley, and basil in ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
May 22, 2014Q.Mothballs Eating Herbs
I put pieces of mothballs on the top of the soil in all my containers/pots to get rid of pesty chipmunks/squirrels. Now I am afraid to use any of the herbs? Are the herbs safe to eat? Thanks.
Answered by
Nikki on
May 22, 2014
Certified ExpertA.Don't eat food or plant that has been exposed to mothballs. These articles will help with your chipmunk and squirrel issues: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/get-rid-squirrels.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/chipmunk-control-eliminating-chipmunks-from-your-garden.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/mothballs-in-gardens.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
May 24, 2014Q.Getting Rid of Aphids on Herbs
On a small second floor balcony I have planted several herbs along with a few flowers in a container. There is also a yew about 3 ft. tall in a separate container. There are aphids mostly on the basil in the herb box, but the yew is the biggest problem. It has them extensively throughout the interior of the plant. The advice I have read suggests oil-based remedies but specify that the plant should not be in the sun throughout the treatment. I don't have that option. However, since the yew is very dense, maybe the sun couldn't get in deep enough to burn the tiny leaves. They are all in the sun for at least 6 hours every day. I don't have a water faucet there either, so spraying with a hose isn't possible. Is there something else I could spray water with that might be effective and is there some other home-made or store-bought remedy that could do the job? Thank you!
- Answered by
Nikki on
May 24, 2014
Certified ExpertA.I like neem oil as it is organic, safe and effective on pests. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm This article may also be helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/homemade-aphid-control-a-natural-way-to-kill-aphids.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Aquatx on
May 7, 2015
Northern VirginiaQ.Using clean diaper for edible plant gardening
Is it safe to use a clean diaper for edible plant gardening? I like to grow herbs in containers, but travel occasionally. Can I safely use the absorbent pad, or only the absorbent granules - if I can separate them out - as an underpayment, or mixed into the soil for growing edibles?
- Answered by
shelley on
May 7, 2015
Certified ExpertA.Potting soil that is labeled as "moisture control" has water absorbent polymers in it, which I believe are the same kind that are inside of diapers. So, in that sense they should be safe, but I can't say with 100% certainty. And, only fresh diapers should be used. You can cut the diaper liners into 1 inch squares for use in potting soil.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
condogal2 on
June 23, 2015
49304Q.potted herbs over winter
I am growing thyme, sweet basil, rosemary, and chives. Since I live in Michigan, can I put the pots in the garage over winter and will they regrow and survive in the garage over winter?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 23, 2015A.You can attempt wintering over in pots with your chives and thyme. Chives will have the most success.
Your Sweet Basil is an annual and Rosemary is very difficult to winter over in our cold growing zones.
I would recommend bringing your Rosemary inside and continuing to care for it. With proper care you can keep a plant year round indoors.
Here are some links to help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/growing-herbs-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/grow-rosemary-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-thyme-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/basil-care-end-of-season.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
newgardenermin on
October 12, 2016
38119Q.Indoor gardening
I'm wondering what would be the best cfl bulb to grow herbs like basil under? Thank you
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
October 13, 2016A.You can use fluorescent bulbs for Basil or herbs.
I like to use a full spectrum bulb, they are widely available.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/what-are-grow-lights.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/information-on-how-to-grow-basil-indoors.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anjela Ulrich on
January 11, 2017
07009Q.indoor herb planters
I would like to plant Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Cilantro and Thyme in two indoor planters. Which of the plants I mentioned are more compatible and likely to do well sharing a planter? Thanks.
- Answered by
Alisma on
January 13, 2017
Certified ExpertA.The main consideration is that you want to plant herbs that enjoy similar conditions together. Rosemary and thyme both prefer well-drained, realtively sandy soil and a lower amount of water, so you can plant those together. Basil, parsley, and cilantro prefer more moisture- they still need well-drained soil, but with a lower percentage of sand and more organic matter, and you'll likely need to water them more often.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
schleipher77 on
February 9, 2017
PhiladelphiaQ.Planting herbs indoors
I'm not sure when or how much to prune back my herbs. I have planted thyme, parsley, and basil in three small pots and I am worried the plants are crowding each other and not going to flourish. Should I thin these back? (look at the picture)
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
February 10, 2017A.It does appear that you sowed the seeds great dense.
Generally the seed package give you specifics on how many seeds per inch in a planting tray.
When you sow seeds in large amounts in seeding trays or containers such as yours, you will need to 'prick' out the individual seedlings and place into individual pots.
This link will help you with this task.
https://www.growveg.com/guides/the-right-way-to-prick-out-seedlings/
I like to prick out and pot up my seedlings when they have at least 2 sets of true leaves.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/thinning-seedlings.htm
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