3. Who is Nortex? -Third generation family owned wholesale nursery located in Wylie, TX. -Growing quality herbs and color since 1972. -Long time member of TNLA and Go Texan organizations. -Founder and exclusive grower of BlueLabelHerbs.
5. Growing Trend - Urban Gardening Family activity. Knowing what you eat. Connecting to the land. Environmental responsibility. Sense of accomplishment.
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7. Understanding the seasonal herb cycle. Key Factors -Annual vs. Perennial -Where to Plant -Container vs. In the Ground -Texas Conditions
8. Annuals Perennials Vs. -Traditionally live one year or less. Cool season/hot season. -Live longer than a year, but not forever. Evergreen/Deciduous Perennials Basil, Sweet Rosemary, Hardy
9. Location. Location. Location. What’s your plan? -What do you want to get from your herbs? Size Matters. -Permanent? Mature size? How much sun is a good thing? -Overexposure/Underexposure. Dangers of poor placement. -Invasive? Aggressive? Dill going to seed
10. Containers In the Ground. vs. -Drainage. -Mobility. -Moisture Control. -Easier accessibility. -Decorative motif -What’s your soil composition? -Less maintenance required. -Less feeding required. -Not as confining. -Several great accent plants for the landscape.
11. Lucky Zones 7B/8A Environmental volatility offers opportunity. 1)February/March – Cool Season 2)April/May – Equal Opportunity 3)June thru September – Some like it hot. 4)October/November – Cool Season/ Lets go inside 5)December/January –Evergreen appreciation/Planning
12. February through March Buy your annuals and perennials today! -Get a head start on your annuals. Put them on a windowsill or under grow lights. -Perennials only need a couple days to acclimate outside. Set them out when there will be 2 days of no freeze. -You can use them now if you pinch them. Follow your plan remembering the key factors -Annual vs. Perennial -Where to Plant -Container vs. In the Ground -Texas Conditions Watercress
14. April through May Lets spice up the variety. What does Calloway’s have now? Last call for cool season annuals. -Do you have enough Dill for you and the butterflies? -How much salsa can you make? Time to transplant your Hot Season Annuals. -The freezes are over. - April and May are great months for all herbs. -Review your plan. -Where is the shade? How is your drainage?
15. Blue Label Herbs’April/May Selections Annuals: Basil, Genovese Sweet Basil, Lime Basil, Red Rubin Perennials: Chives Sage Mint
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17. If they made it this far you have a green thumb.
18. Cut them back as needed to keep a clean garden.Perennials growth slows in the heat. More water? Yes, please. Need more Basil? Try a new variety!
19. Blue Label Herbs’June/July Selections Annuals: Catnip Stevia French Tarragon Perennials: Echinacea Mexican Mint Marigold Lavender
20. August through September Careful, they may be bluffing! -Heat stress will make leaves appear dry. Check the soil first. Water in the mornings to keep leaves from scorching. Containers should have afternoon shade to keep roots from cooking. Basil, Red Rubin
22. October through November Preparing for the cool nights of 7B and 8A. -As the temperatures drop below 40 hot season annuals struggle. -If they are in containers, bring them in. Otherwise, clean up. -If you don’t have plants in containers, now is a good time to start them. Fill in the spaces with cool season annuals or perennials. Nasturtium, Alaskan Mix
24. December through January There’s work to be done. -Cut back dormant perennials and maintain evergreens. -Clean up fallen leaves to prevent smothering. Now what? -Evergreen Perennials are still available for harvest! -Windowsill herbs! Planning -Year in review. What worked? What didn’t? -What can I do different this year? -Are there varieties I want to try?
26. Start Now! -Remember, late February/early March is a great time to plant perennials and start your cool season annuals. -You can also put together a windowsill collection. -Calloway’s has a great cool season herb selection on hand.
