Q: I have a bay leaf tree that I grew in a pot in my garden all summer long. It's now about 2 feet tall. I brought it inside in late September before we got a frost and have been watering it about once a week. Any special advice for the winter⢠Can I still harvest from it while it's indoors⢠Should I be fertilizing it?
A: Summer herb gardens or container plantings are the perfect place to grow bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). The leaves of this tender shrub are known as bay leaves and are dried and used in soups, sauces and stews. I love to use them fresh in the homemade marinara sauce I make every summer from the garden's tomato crop, but some people think fresh bay leaves impart a more bitter flavor. Though it's not hardy here, bay laurel is easy to grow indoors during the winter months. You were correct to move the plant indoors before the danger of frost as this Mediterranean native is not at all tolerant of cold temperatures. While it's indoors, be sure your bay tree is located in a very bright location and water regularly but sparingly (I water mine about every 10 to 14 days). Do not fertilize your bay during the winter months. If you do, it will encourage new growth which is not desirable in the winter and can make the plant more susceptible to pests like aphids and spider mites. If you do end up with an infestation of either one of these pests, two applications of horticultural oil spread 10 days apart should do the trick.
Come spring, after the danger of frost has passed, gradually expose it to outdoor conditions over a period of a few weeks. This gradual acclimatization is very important for not stressing the plant out during this transition time. When you move it back outdoors, it's also a good time to transplant it into a larger pot. Select one about 2 to 4 inches larger in diameter than its current pot and use a high-quality potting mix. Once the plant is outdoors for the summer, locate it in full to moderate sun. Eventually your bay laurel will reach several feet in height. I would not suggest harvesting during the winter, though sneaking a leaf or two certainly won't hurt it. The best harvesting time is during the growing season when the essential oil content is highest and the flavor will be the most intense.
