In article ,
Kay Easton wrote:
In article , Zymurgy
writes
Anyone know of any decent online references ?

The Edible Herb FAQ on rec.gardens.edible.

Basil likes hot dry mediterranean places. You'll find it difficult to
overwinter in UK. Best to grow new each year. But flowering shouldn't be
a problem.

No, No, NO!!! It is NOT a Mediterranean herb, and does NOT like hot,
dry conditions!

It is a true tropical, and likes hot, DAMP conditions. It can just
about take Mediterranean ones, but doesn't like them. I agree with
your comments about how to treat it - just grow some more from seed.
A planting in August will last through much of the winter on a warm,
sunny windowsill.

I also have a mature Bayleaf (shrub !)

If it's mature it should be a tree! ;-)
No need to prune it, but you may want to trim it to keep it in shape.
Once it's a decent size, maximising crop doesn't come into it - there's
far too many leaves to use.

Er, yes. Surplus stems make good firewood, roof beams and so on.

and some large Rosemary plants.

They should go on for a good few years but get straggly if you don't
trim them. I usually prune after flowering. Again, unless your planning
to be a commercial herb supplier, I don't think there's any need
consciously to maximise crop.

I find that I need to layer them once every 3-5 years, as they tend to
drop dead in wet winters. That is about all the treatment they get :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.