Herbs in Texas?

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/775926/

from Coca_Lulu
This is the sale part

I missed the posts but am going now to the one you just gave

DH can't complain if I get them and cook with them ...lol..it means I will cook at home more ...hehehe

Found it.......just scroll up.....Dde (David) is just down the road from you and this post is what I was looking for....all about the herb growers.

[quote]Yay...Post #4018596[quote]

This message was edited Sep 30, 2007 9:35 PM

well see I had read it when he posted then spaced it ....since DH sprayed the whole place for PI I am getting the itch now to get some planting done and I have a whole room I can use for plants....well maybe not the whole room but it has 2 nice windows that I can have tables in front of for morning light.

I have no place this year and have 25 or more 5 gallon plants that are overgrown plus baskets and little pots and,and,and....

Trying figure out some sort of cheapie green house....have a place in the sun against the house...just haven't gotten the frame worked out. Don't need anything fancy. Seems they start around $750.00 and go way up. Only need one for about 3 months.

Mibus ~ If I may suggest rosemary is considered hardy in these southern climates. It will do especially well in a sheltered area near the house as you are thinking of.

Another herb that overwinters outdoors is oregano. I was apprehensive about trusting mine to the great outdoors but a Michigan DGr said she does. That was like throwing down the gauntlet... a real challenge so I did and it did.

Garlic, garlic chives and regular chives once established will do well in ground. In fact Oct is the time to plant the garlic and onions.

Many Texans also grow a bay tree ~ Laurus nobilis in ground although it may get too large to be "near" the house.

I am sure there are more suggestions coming but these are a few. Good luck and if you get to go to those GHs enjoy them for us... LOL

LouC, how about a cold frame? You could get and use old windows from a salvage yard.

I'm going to use a makeshift cold frame for seeds this year using hay bales and windows. I hope it works wells, is so i'll build a wooden structure.

mmm I just happen to have Bamboo here ..it is wood and I was thinking of making up a "greenhouse" frame and covering it with plastic.
would just need a long piece of rebar to shove through it to break the nodes out to help keep it from splitting
I know hubby would be more then happy if I found anyone wanting to take some.

I decided we are going to cut it all and then I can save some roots to a pot and figure out where I want the stuff to be then contain and plant it the right way.

Thanks Pod for the suggestions!!

I am going to have to find out about the one David mentions ..I know bluemoon carries herbs but my boss says they aren't cheap.

I am into herbs over salt for seasoning and since I own 2 dehydrators I can grow dry and mix my own seasonings...hehehehe

Bluemoon was in a big spread in the Dallas Morning News Home and Garden section this last Friday. That's where I got their name. We have nursery not far from here that is higher than the big boxes but the plants are so much better. Just depends...some things are worth a little more and some are not. I am mostly into seeds because I just get a thrill when it germinates. No more inside seeds for me. Never seem to live....damp off or some such.

I agree with LouC on the seeds. Many of the herbs are easy to grow from seed. This year I started another lemon grass. I have lime and lemon basil from seeds. Lemon balm, the mints, chives ~ I guess the only reason to buy plants is for instant gratification or to ID the fragrance or the appearance of a particular herb.

Where do you get the seed for lemon grass?

mm if I get mint growing then I can make my mint iced tea .is a mixture of tea, lemonade and mint herb ...yummy in the summer

LouC, i'm so glad you mentioned the Blue Moon article. I'll have to ask my Mother if she still has the paper. Blue Moon is my absolute favorite place. Was the article about their Fall Festival? http://www.bluemoongardens.com/events.htm it's soon!!!! October 13th

LouC ~ I ordered it but don't remember where. There are two types but I don't know the difference. Most of the seed catalogues have it listed in their herb section. It doesn't have to come from a specialty seed catalogue.

Also, I saved this info from an Herb forum thread

Will check the grocery stores. We have several that carry "exotics" and fairly large Aisian population. Thank you.

Phyllis, mint is a pass-a-long and has to be contained to keep from taking over. I have spearmint in my great-grandmother's old black washpot.....and chocolate mint in the bed....

Will try to get some to you.

I have been tied up with anual Dr. checkups and finished up with the colon this morning.
The herb place is located on 69 south of Tyler, in the Mount Selmond area, They have great plants. You can buy them in several sizes-4" to 5 gals. They have Rosemary which I have in the ground for several years. Makes a large bush. They also sell several lavendars, but I have poor results with it. I have lemon grass and it returns each year in the ground. Worth the trip for the selection they have especially in the spring. Their prices are average for herbs.
I built my greenhouse using old sliding glass doors for the ends. Doubled paned and make good entrance/exit doors. Also a cedar mill in Rusk sell the slabs cheap. They are a little over 8' tall and vary in thickness. They also sell nice 1 X 6's cedar that I framed for benches with plastic bread trays. I used the slabs for corner post wraped around 4x4's. Looks good and last a long time in the dampness. I also made a neat potting shed next to the greenhouse with the slabs. Like the rough outside of the logs for looks. Used polycarb for roof and sides of GH. In winter I add a layer of plastic cover all inside for heat conservation. Also put in a small fish pond in the corner which adds to the humidity.
I go to Blue Moon each year mainly to look. They have great plants and varieties you do not find everywhere. They are expensive. I think the gals that run it are in Tyler Mens Garden club. The club's sale in the spring is super.
Mibus-contact me and I will get you numbers for compost, cedar mill, lumber mill and the herb places. I would even show you around in New Summerfield GH's. and my wholesale connections. There are litterly dozens of them over there.
Maybe I caught up on things. Hope to have photos to share tomorrow.
David

hopefully photos of your GH setup too?