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Our FAQ's are taken directly from questions sent to "Ask Bob." These are Bob's answers...
Herb Questions
General Gardening Questions
Herb Questions
- Are your herbs sold at The Home Depot organic?
- What zone is Rosemary safe to plant in? Should it be planted indoors or outdoors?
- Where should I plant my rosemary?
- How do I propagate rosemary?
- I live in central Ohio and our winters can be quite cold. I have some rosemary outside. Will I be able to harvest it during the winter?
- My Cilantro grows tall feathery spikes, but not regular leaves. Why?
- When can I harvest my cilantro?
- What are the best ways to grow Dill and Cilantro? Do they need sun or shade?
- My dill plant was doing great but was loaded with tiny green bugs. How can I get rid of those tiny, green bugs?
- Please give me growing information for rosemary and cilantro. I'm not sure if I water too much or too little.
- Is Pineapple Mint edible?
- Can fresh basil stay in water?
- I just bought your herbs at my local Home Depot. Can I leave the herbs in the plastic pots and stick the pots into the earth of my flower boxes? I am a city dweller and have a terrace.
- I have a parsley plant and a few leaves are turning white. It's on the kitchen windowsill, gets light, but no sun. I don't keep it too wet. Should it have fertilizer? If so, what kind? Any other tips?
- How do I use Stevia as a sweetener? Dried or mashed?
- Can Golden Sage grow in zone 6 and will it winter well, or should I plant it in a container?
- I would like to know what are the best ways to make catnip and cat thyme grow for my cat.
- What herbs are good for using as salad?
- I live in Phoenix with very intense sunlight in the summer. I have tried planting in full sunlight and the plant burns out. Where should I plant my herbs?
- We are starting to grow the VIVA! Herbs for the first time. We would like any information you can give us.
- For two years I have tried to grow the herb tarragon. I follow the instructions for full sun, etc., but after a month or so, the herb withers. I never get a full production. Can you advise me?
- I have some French Tarragon growing outside. I would like to bring some in for the winter, while leaving the bulk of the plant outside. Is this a possibility, and if it is, how do I do this?
- I used to plant my herbs from seeds but this year I didn't get them out early enough so my husband saw your herbs and brought home the ones that we use. I LOVE THESE HERBS - they are so hardy!
- I want to know if lavender would be bad for my cat. I want to have some in the house.
- Is the herb stevia a perennial or an annual?
- I have 8 hours indirect sunlight, 4x8 area open to south, 8 foot walls open at the top, will get reflected light 6 to 8 hours per day, about 3hrs overhead light 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Would this be a good location for potted Herbs etc.? Will put on a drip system.
- I just bought some herbs to use in my kitchen, and I am looking for info on how to grow and take care of them. I have them in the house but would like to grow them out side but am afraid that the bugs will eat them. I only have 2.
- I purchased VIVA! Chives from The Home Depot. It is in the original small pot. I see that some mold is forming on top of the soil. How can I avoid it? Also, what is the correct way to cut some of it off-leave 2 inches on the plant?
- I want to grow catnip and I need seeds and information on how to grow it. I live In South Carolina.
- My sweet basil is being eaten by bugs during the night...big round holes in some leaves. How do I prevent this?
- I live in Tampa, FL and just purchased some VIVA Herbs. The summers here are very humid and temps well into the 90s. Do I need to keep the herbs indoors? Where should they be?
- Do you think that herbs are better in a vegetable garden or in pots?
- How do I dry herb leaves to make tea?
- How far apart do you plant Stevia plants? How wide and how high do they grow?
General Gardening Questions
- Can you give more hints on setting up the soil and planting?
- I need help for growing in hot weather.
- I am a girl that kills every plant I have ever had - my mother was hopeless too - but I would really like to start a herb and veggie garden and could use some helpful hints - I have a small balcony with pretty good sun exposure... I own a condo..etc
- How do I keep my dog out of my plants?
- Please, could you tell me if the herbs (and vegetables) are sprayed with any synthetic pesticide or herbacide, etc.
- I need help with coffee grounds and using them in my garden.
1. Q: Are your herbs sold at The Home Depot organic?
A: Not in the strictest sense though they are minimally treated. Fortunately herbs grow fast. Because of this, the time it takes to grow them to market size is fast enough that they rarely have enough time in the nursery to get any pests or problems. If they do, the only thing we use on them is Safer Soap which is safe for edible crops and the environment.
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2. Q: What zone is Rosemary safe to plant in? Should it be planted indoors or outdoors?
A: Zone 7 is what is indicated but that may be pushing it a little. You might want to try it in a container and bring it in for the winter. You can also cut off a branch and strip off the bottom couple of inches of needles. Put the stem in a glass of water and before too long it will root. Plant that one outside and see if it makes it through the winter; it will help if you cover it well with a thick layer of straw for extra protection against the cold and snow.
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3. Q: Where should I plant my rosemary?
A: First off, if your winter isn't too harsh, plant it in the ground in a good sunny spot. Rosemary will survive temps down to 15 degrees. Planted in the ground, it will grow very large and very fast. You will have more rosemary than you can possibly use. If you can't do that, at least put it in a larger pot in a sunny spot.
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4. Q: How do I propagate rosemary?
A: Just cut off a stem, strip off the lower leaves and place the stem in a glass of water. Change out the water if it gets gunky, and you should see roots in about 3 weeks - then you can plant it up. Remember that rosemary thrives in Mediterranean-type climates, so whether in a pot or in the ground, once established it only needs deep infrequent watering (a little more often in a pot).
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5. Q: I live in central Ohio and our winters can be quite cold. I have some rosemary outside. Will I be able to harvest it during the winter?
A: You should also protect the main plant outside from the frost and snow by covering it with a good thick layer of straw or the like. This will lessen damage to the roots over winter, and the plant should bounce back in the spring. I would protect the rosemary similarly, however you can take some branches, put them in water, and usually they will root fairly easily. Then you can pot them up and keep the plants growing inside in a sunny window all through the winter.
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6. Q: My Cilantro grows tall feathery spikes, but not regular leaves. Why?
A: Cilantro is a lot like parsley and grows best in cooler weather. I suspect it is getting too hot in the Carolinas now, so the plant is bolting and going to seed. Cilantro does best planted in early spring and early fall.
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7. Q: When can I harvest my cilantro?
A: You can harvest your cilantro at any stage of growth by just snipping off the stems down near the base of the plant with a pair of scissors. You can definitely plant different herbs together - Check out the VIVA! Garden site again and click on VIVA! Herbs and then on "containers" over on the left side menu. There's tons of great herb container growing info there!
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8. Q: What are the best ways to grow Dill and Cilantro? Do they need sun or shade?
A: Both need full sun and regular watering. They really don't need much more attention than that. With the Cilantro, remove any flower stalks that you see emerging - this will help prolong the plants productivity. Plants in the ground or in pots require the same care; the only difference is that if they are in pots they may need to be watered more often.
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9. Q: My dill plant was doing great but was loaded with tiny green bugs. How can I get rid of those tiny, green bugs?
A: The bugs are aphids, and they love soft, tender plants like dill. I think your best bet is to use the new Schultz product that can be used on edible crops called Garden Safe Fruit & Vegetable Spray. It can be used on edibles right up until 24 hours before harvest.
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10. Q: Please give me growing information for rosemary and cilantro. I'm not sure if I water too much or too little.
A: Both plants need full sun and don't like being too wet, especially the rosemary. Water them thoroughly when you do, and let them become fairly dry again before re-watering. If you have them planted in the ground they are more forgiving; if in pots you have to be more careful.
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11. Q: Is Pineapple Mint edible?
A: It is definitely edible. Give it full sun, plenty of water and you should have it year after year. It may die back in winter but will come back bigger and better in the spring. It's great in desserts, drinks and for garnishing.
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12. Q: Can fresh basil stay in water?
A: If you mean as a way to keep it to use after you pick it, yes it will for a while but not indefinitely. A good way to store after picking is to take whole stems you have picked, wash them gently with cold water and then loosely wrap or roll them in a couple of paper towels. Put this in a plastic bag and place in the refrigerator. This will usually keep the basil very crisp and fresh for a week or a little longer.
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13. Q: I just bought your herbs at my local Home Depot. Can I leave the herbs in the plastic pots and stick the pots into the earth of my flower boxes? I am a city dweller and have a terrace.
A: You certainly can, but the plants will not do their best as far as growing to their full size and providing lots of herbs to use. You will still get usable herbs from your plants, just not as much.
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14. Q: I have a parsley plant and a few leaves are turning white. It's on the kitchen windowsill, gets light, but no sun. I don't keep it too wet. Should it have fertilizer? If so, what kind? Any other tips?
A: It will do better if it gets at least some full sun. You can use any balanced liquid fertilizer, which will be helpful as well, but use it at half of the recommended strength given in the instructions. If you give it too much it can cause the plant to push on to maturity and it will go to seed.
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15. Q: How do I use Stevia as a sweetener? Dried or mashed?
A: Since we are not Stevia experts here are some resources for you. There is a book called Stevia Rebaudiana - Nature's Sweet Secret By David Richard published by Vital Health Publishing.
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16. Q: Can Golden Sage grow in zone 6 and will it winter well, or should I plant it in a container?
A: You can certainly grow it in zone 6, but it will not fare well in the winter. You can either grow it in the ground for maximum growth potential and then pot it to bring in before the first frost hits, or grow it in a container from the get go and move it in as you would the other.
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17. Q: I would like to know what are the best ways to make catnip and cat thyme grow for my cat.
A: You picked 2 of the easiest plants to grow. They should be grown in a container on a covered patio, as the Phoenix sun is just too hot. Any place you can find that gets filtered sun will do. Use a commercial potting soil mix and water them regularly. Never let them dry out completely. Your biggest problem is going to be keeping the neighborhood cats out of the plants. Once they find them they will likely destroy them - because that's what cats do with those plants! You may need to put a screen or cage around the plants so you can harvest for your cats when you want.
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18. Q: What herbs are good for using as salad?
A: While Americans aren't accustomed to eating straight herb salads, it is quite common in other cultures. Some of the more common ones used together are flat leaf parsley, basil, oregano, tarragon and any of the mints. . If straight herb salads are too strong for you, try mixed baby greens or another lettuce type and mix in fresh herb(s) of your choice. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and some balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lemon, salt and pepper - it makes a very tasty and refreshing herb salad!
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19. Q: I live in Phoenix with very intense sunlight in the summer. I have tried planting in full sunlight and the plant burns out. Where should I plant my herbs?
A: In your area it is true that you need to do things a little differently. If you grow them in an area where they get filtered sun or bright, reflected light you should be o.k. You might also need to keep yours on the damp side as well to compensate for some of the excessive evaporation due to the high temps.
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20. Q: We are starting to grow the VIVA! Herbs for the first time. We would like any information you can give us.
A: My best information for you is to go to the www.vivagarden.com website and click on the herb tab at the top of the page. The page that comes up after that has a menu listing on the left-hand side of the page taking you to all kinds of herb info. I can tell you in a nutshell, though, that herbs are basically just useful weeds, and they grow like weeds! Give them a good sunny spot, they're not terribly fussy about soil type but good drainage is a plus, and regular watering is about all you need to do to have a successful crop.
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21. Q: For two years I have tried to grow the herb tarragon. I follow the instructions for full sun, etc., but after a month or so, the herb withers. I never get a full production. Can you advise me?
A: Tarragon is probably one of the few herbs that might be a little fussy to grow. The root system can be delicate so when you plant it try to disturb the root mass as little as possible. One of the odd things about tarragon is that it dies back to the ground around the end of summer and will go dormant until the following late spring when it will come back as a bigger plant. If you have it in full sun and it is getting water, then it is a hard one to call other than maybe it isn't getting off to a good start (the root problem).
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22. Q: I have some French Tarragon growing outside. I would like to bring some in for the winter, while leaving the bulk of the plant outside. Is this a possibility, and if it is, how do I do this?
A: This is possible though I don't think it will be a major success as tarragon basically goes dormant in the winter. You can dig up a small chunk of the root mass in the fall and bring it in keep it in a warm sunny spot and it may kick into gear again and get growing. Your best bet is to cut long sprays of it and bring it in to dry and use it that way during the winter I know it's not the same as fresh but it is still way better than store bought dried. You should also protect the main plant outside from the frost and snow by covering it with a good thick layer of straw or the like. This will lessen damage to the roots over winter, and the plant should bounce back in the spring.
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23. Q: I used to plant my herbs from seeds but this year I didn't get them out early enough so my husband saw your herbs and brought home the ones that we use. I LOVE THESE HERBS - they are so hardy!
A: All gardeners at one time or another get caught behind the "I forgot to start my seeds" 8 ball and established starters are a great solution. They're usually easier and more reliable, too.
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24. Q: I want to know if lavender would be bad for my cat. I want to have some in the house.
A: Lavender should have no ill effects on the cat if it chooses to get into the plant in any fashion.
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25. Q: Is the herb stevia a perennial or an annual?
A: Stevia is a perennial and is hardy down to about 25 degrees.
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26. Q: I have 8 hours indirect sunlight, 4x8 area open to south, 8 foot walls open at the top, will get reflected light 6 to 8 hours per day, about 3hrs overhead light 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Would this be a good location for potted Herbs etc.? Will put on a drip system.
A: It sounds like you have a challenging situation, but the encouraging factor is the southern exposure. With this, plus the rest of the light conditions, it is possible but be careful of the watering, as the plants may stay too wet. You will have to keep an eye on them and adjust accordingly if there is a problem. Good Luck!
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27. Q: I just bought some herbs to use in my kitchen, and I am looking for info on how to grow and take care of them. I have them in the house but would like to grow them out side but am afraid that the bugs will eat them. I only have 2.
A: All herbs are basically weeds with a useful purpose, and they will grow like weeds if you plant them outside. Give them full sun and regular watering. Bugs can be a problem as they are for any plants, but some herbs are less susceptible. Schultz makes a new insecticide called Garden Safe that can be used up to the day before harvest on edibles. You should check that out if your local bugs get the "herb munchies." You can find more specific care for herbs on the VIVA! Garden website at www.vivagarden.com.
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28. Q: I purchased VIVA! Chives from The Home Depot. It is in the original small pot. I see that some mold is forming on top of the soil. How can I avoid it? Also, what is the correct way to cut some of it off-leave 2 inches on the plant?
A: The mold is an indication that you are keeping it too wet or it is not getting enough direct sun - or likely a combination of both. The best option is to transplant it into a slightly larger pot, say 6" diameter. This will give the clump room to expand in size. Chives are best harvested with scissors or sharp knife. Cut the blade as close to the ground as possible without injuring other blades. It's best to cut individual blades unless you are shearing the whole plant. This leaves the newly sprouted blades to grow bigger for your next harvest. If you're harvesting during or after blooming time, watch out for those blossom stems, they're tough and woody. When chives are in flower, you can snip off the flowers and use them before they start to fade.
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29. Q: I want to grow catnip and I need seeds and information on how to grow it. I live In South Carolina.
A: We don't sell seeds, but you should be able to pick up VIVA! Catnip plants at a local Home Depot. This is easier than starting from seeds. Catnip is a member of the mint family and it grows very similarly. Once it is planted, you will pretty much always have it. It spreads by runners and it re-seeds itself very easily as well. Give it full sun to light shade and regular watering and you should have enough for all the cats in town!
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30. Q: My sweet basil is being eaten by bugs during the night...big round holes in some leaves. How do I prevent this?
A: Though we considered you are in Florida, we've pretty much ruled out alligator teeth punctures! One good candidate is the cucumber beetle. The signature is the hole in the leaf. Other things like caterpillars or grasshoppers would start on the edge of the leaf and continue cutting larger and larger crescent moon shapes into it. One surefire way, since we really don't know for sure what is doing it, is to fashion a cage out of window screen to set over the plant. This will allow for enough sun and air circulation. As far as chemicals go, I would check with your local garden center and find something that can be used on edibles that also indicates cucumber beetles as one of its targets; insecticidal soaps have no effect against the cucumber beetle.
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31. Q: I live in Tampa, FL and just purchased some VIVA Herbs. The summers here are very humid and temps well into the 90s. Do I need to keep the herbs indoors? Where should they be?
A: You know, most herbs are really just weeds that either taste or smell good, so they should do fine outside. My only concern would be that some varieties might get too much water. Things like thyme, oregano, sage and tarragon to name a few are fairly drought-tolerant and are found naturally in Mediterranean and southwestern climates. So my only caution would be don't water them too much and they should grow like, well, like weeds!
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32. Q: Do you think that herbs are better in a vegetable garden or in pots?
A: Pots are alright, if you're not a serious cook. You get a much larger continuous supply of herbs if they're in the ground.
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33. Q: How do I dry herb leaves to make tea?
A: If you have a food dehydrator, that works great. If not, tie the stems into bundles and hang upside down in a well ventilated, dry location maybe on an outside porch or patio out of the direct sun. They should be dry in 24 to 48 hours. If conditions aren't right, it may take a little longer. It is critical that they dry as soon as possible to avoid turning black or getting moldy.
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34. Q: How far apart do you plant Stevia plants? How wide and how high do they grow?
A: Plant Stevia 18" to 24" apart, and they should get to about 30" tall.
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1. Q: Can you give more hints on setting up the soil and planting?
A: The best thing you can do is to be sure to dig in plenty of organic material. This could be compost, peat moss, manure, or any combination of those items. Over time, the yearly addition of organic material makes the soil so rich and loose that the plants can't hardly help but grow successfully. If you treat the soil that way, pick a spot that gets as much full sun during the day as possible, and water thoroughly according to the directions for any given vegetable or herb, your garden will likely be a great success.
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2. Q: I need help for growing in hot weather.
A: That's a pretty broad statement so here are some suggestions. Be sure to choose plants suitable for your area. Read up on the plants you would like to grow and see if they fit in your hot weather scenario or if they need special considerations. Here's a great book to get: The Vegetable Gardeners Bible by Edward C. Smith. Watering may be an important factor as well. You may find drip irrigation a more reasonable answer than hand watering. If you are growing in an area that gets extreme direct sun, consider using some type of light shade protection like a shade cloth. On the lighter side, don't forget to take care of yourself - sunscreen, big floppy hat and lots of lemonade!
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3. Q: I am a girl that kills every plant I have ever had - my mother was hopeless too - but I would really like to start a herb and veggie garden and could use some helpful hints - I have a small balcony with pretty good sun exposure... I own a condo..etc
A: My best advice is to check out the container gardening info on the VIVA! Garden website at www.vivagarden.com. Any advice I would give you, you can find there, except for one thing - don't be timid! Some things are going to die. You just have to keep trying until you find the right combo for you.
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4. Q: How do I keep my dog out of my plants?
A: There are very few options I know of - the obvious are tie up the dog, which I know I wouldn't want to do, or fence in the plants, which doesn't always solve the problem and often doesn't look very good either. There are products available (sprays) that are not harmful to the dog and are supposed to work. Go to www.google.com and type in: dog garden repellent. You will find several listings.
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5. Q: Please, could you tell me if the herbs (and vegetables) are sprayed with any synthetic pesticide or herbacide, etc.
A: No, we are not certified organic, however it is a very rare occasion that we need to spray them at all. Herbs grow very fast, so by the time they are planted and up to size for selling, they really haven't had time to get any pests. Likewise, many herbs just aren't prone to pests and some just naturally repel them. If we ever find ourselves in a situation that we need to spray, we go with the least toxic and problematic solution which is insecticidal soap.
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6. Q: I need help with coffee grounds and using them in my garden.
A: Coffee grounds and coffee are a rich source of nutrients. They contain nitrogen, tannic acids and other nutrients. Acid-loving plants especially respond to coffee grounds. In general they are a wonderful addition to the health of the garden soil and all the plants. Feel free to sprinkle them on the surface of the soil, applied directly to a garden's acid loving plants such as azaleas, roses or hydrangeas. The acidity of the grounds can be countered with leaves and dried grass for other plants creating a rich source of nutrients. You can also dig them directly into the soil and especially add them to a compost pile. Coffee grounds are also a favorite food of earthworms, and incorporating the grounds into the soil will increase the earthworm population as well.
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