[Bearsmama]

Hi Mamas,
I've had a really nice batch of basil this year that resides on our back deck. It is in a medium-sized terra cotta container, and the stems grow up from the container about 18 inches. I've heard of people having success growing their basil indoors, but what is the real scoop? I have a deep windowsill that gets good, indirect light. I'm wondering if I can simply transfer the pot to the sill sometime soon? And also, how successful do you think this will be?

TIA

 

[BlueStateMama]

:

 

[Bearsmama]

Bluestate-Glad someone else is interested, too.

Let's hope we get a green thumb to answer back!

 

[Bearsmama]

Where are all my herb-growing mamas?

 

[KatWrangler]

: I sould like to know too!

 

[momof3sweeties]

I need to know too!!! I have 3 pots of basil outside.

What happens when your herbs start to flower or seed?? My oregano is starting to get flowers...it looks scraggly.

I have my herbs in a garden window except for my basil. I was just planning to stick them there too. I would love it if I could have fresh basil through the winter!!! I lOVE basil! My new fav is cherry tomatoes, basil and garlic...MMMMMM!!!

 

[Bearsmama]

Glad to know you all need the answer, too! Momof3-I've always pinched off the leaves of my herbs when they start flowering. I was told that doing this will spread the energy throughout the plant, instead of having all the good stuff go to the flower. Hope this makes sense. I'm always pruning my basil (I have purple and regular).

 

[momof3sweeties]

Quote:

Momof3-I've always pinched off the leaves of my herbs when they start flowering. I was told that doing this will spread the energy throughout the plant, instead of having all the good stuff go to the flower

Thanks!! Off to pinch....

 

[Bearsmama]

I'm giving this a bump. One last chance to see if anyone out there knows the scoop. If not, I'm tryin' it anyway!

 

[JenniferH]

You can grow basil indoors, but you need lots of bright light and you can't overwater.

I would prune it back by about half (before you bring it inside) and wait until it cools off a bit before you transplant it. If you have a really warm, sunny spot it can work.

ETA: A note about flowering -- yes, you want to keep the flowers off your herbs because the plant will start to get scraggly and the flavor won't be as good. Basil is a basal branching (branches out from the bottom) plant, and regular pruning makes it grow so much better.

 

[rowansmomma]

I was going to say the same thing about pinching.........you don't want the flowers, even though the bumblebees like'em.

I don't know much about moving it indoors though....I'm only doing my first nice container garden of basil, oregano, sage and rosemary........ Hopefully I don't kill them off when I move them. I never have had luck moving plants indoor and out.