Do you want to grow your own Bay Leaf plants?
Growing bay leaves is easy and rewarding. It’s a great way to add flavor to your cooking, and it can be done in just about any climate. If you love cooking with fresh herbs, then growing bay leaf trees will help you get the most out of every meal.
You can start by choosing which variety of bay leaf trees that best fits your needs. Once you have chosen the right type of plant for your space, all you need to do is follow our simple guide on how to care for them! We even provide helpful tips on how often they should be watered and fertilized so that they always produce healthy leaves! You’ll never have to worry about running out again once these trees are in their prime!
Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis)
When is the Best Time of the Year to Plant Bay Leaf
The best time of year to plant bay leaves is early in the spring when they are semi-dormant. They can easily be grown from seedlings or purchased from a nursery. Bay trees can also be grown simply as ornamental plants, or you can add them to your culinary arsenal.
Early spring is the best time of year to plant bay leaves because they are semi-dormant at that time. Semi-dormancy refers to a period where the growth rate slows down but does not stop entirely. Because this type of dormancy is triggered by cooler temperatures, it usually occurs in early spring or late fall/winter. In tropical climates, semi-dormancy never occurs because the temperature remains warm year-round.
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Bay Leaf
Bay plants aren’t picky eaters, but they prefer slightly acidic soil. A pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is best for bay laurel growth and health so add some aluminum sulfate in the early spring if your soil is alkaline or limey. You can also use ground oyster shells or elemental sulfur as a natural acidifier. If you don’t correct the soil’s pH and/or add acidic amendments, your bay leaves won’t be as flavorful.
Plant bay laurel in loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It needs high amounts of organic matter to keep the soil from drying out, but bay laurel has a shallow root system so it’s best not to plant it in deep or heavy clay soils. If your topsoil doesn’t drain well, add in some sand and perlite (or you can mix them in with the existing soil before planting).
Watering Bay Leaf
Bay leaves, like other plants, need water to survive. It’s important to water them regularly and to give them at least 3-4 hours between watering cycles. Make sure to check the soil moisture before watering, and water the plants when the soil is dry to the touch.
To water your bay leaf, first, make sure the soil is completely dry before watering. Then, use a container with a spout to pour enough water into the pot so it trickles through the drainage holes. After 20 minutes have passed, turn on the faucet and let all of the excess drains.
How to Harvest Bay Leaf
Bay leaves are a type of evergreen shrub, but they can be harvested anytime during the year. The flavor and aroma of bay leaves in early autumn are unbeatable because it has been naturally concentrated by the cold weather. On the other hand, if you harvest them in summer or spring, then their strong aroma will not have such a chance to develop yet.
When harvesting bay leaves, you should pick leaves that are on young branches because the ones at the top might have fallen on the ground already. However, if bay leaves are not taken care of properly, they can grow so tall that you have to bend down while harvesting them. If this happens, then it is time for this bay tree to be cut. After harvesting the leaves, you should dry them for one week in order to make sure that they are not wet anymore.
Different Ways to Store Bay Leaf
There are many different ways to store bay leaf. The most popular way is to store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. You can also freeze the bay leaf by wrapping it in plastic and placing it in the freezer. Another way to store bay leaf is by drying it. To do this, you need to spread the leaves out on a baking sheet and bake them at a low temperature for about an hour. After baking, store the bay leaf in an airtight container.
You can also infuse bay leaves into olive oil. To do this, roughly chop a cup of fresh bay leaves and place them in a glass jar with about three cups of extra virgin olive oil. Close the lid tightly and let it sit for two to three weeks. Strain out the leaves and store the oil in a cool, dry place. Note that olive oil infused with bay leaf is not meant for cooking or frying.
Other Things of Interest About Bay Leaf
- The entire bay leaf can be eaten and is quite nutritious.
- Bay is a traditional herb often added to soups and stews, but it also makes an excellent seasoning when added fresh to rubs for meats and fish.
- Bay leaves are commonly used in herbal medicines to treat stomach ulcers and indigestion, among other things.
- Bay leaves are a component of many traditional dishes from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy (Apulia), Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, and Serbia.
- In Slovenia, it is considered good luck to add a bay leaf to the pot when cooking beans.
- In Albania, they can be found in most dishes, such as stews and baked meats, where they are used along with other ingredients such as black pepper and garlic.
Conclusion: Now you have a better idea of how to grow Bay Leaf. If you like to use fresh herbs in cooking, then growing bay leaf trees will be a great way to get your hands on them year-round.