I need help with some gardening questions!
by
Terry Brown
+5
I have a herb garden with (sweet basil, rosemary, Italian basil, lemon thyme, orange and apple mint. I also have a gandules ( pigeon pea) plant. I was wondering how to prepare and protect them from the harsh winter months in Massachusetts.
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The mint will come back for sure, no matter what you do to it. The thyme may come back if it reseaded itself. The rosemary and the basil plants are considered an annual and won't come back unless they reseeded. I know nothing about the pigeon pea plant. You can did them up and take them in the house if you have good sun to put them in or use a grow light. Last year I took all mine in (all are in pots), and the only one that did well was the rosemary. I don't have a window with direct sun, only bright light. I hope that helps!
Basil (all types) is an annual. It will not come back. Yu can cut and dry the leaves for use all winter. Bring rosemary inside. It likes to be sprayed often with water. Get it in ASAP. Regular mint, will not die. It will take over if you let it.
http://threedogsinagarden.blogspot.com/2013/11/building-cold-frame.html?m=1
Most herbs are not winter hardy.If possible dig them out and plant in containers with fresh soil,making sure they are sprayed with horticultural oil,bring indoors and place in a sunny window
I lived in CT for many years and grew several of the herbs you mentioned. The basils will not come back because they are annuals. You can dry the leaves or freeze them in olive oil to preserve them. The mints will come back bigger and better each year...and can become invasive if you are not careful. I liked to plant mine in large pots so the roots could not overtake other plants. The rosemary may or may not come back...depending on how cold the winter is. I generally cut mine back to about 6" high in the late fall, then covered it with a heavy pile of hay or straw BEFORE the first frost. It will help to insulate the plant, but still allow moisture in through the winter. Remove the hay when the weather starts warming up and if the winter has not been too severe, it may spring back for you.
Rosemary will need to come inside, the mints should return. I'm not familiar with the others, as far as wintering, I've already cut my basil down and replanted in the spring