Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Fertile, well drained soil, or high quality organic potting soil.
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Position
Full sun to partial afternoon shade.
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Frost tolerant
Bay is a half-hardy shrub or small tree that can tolerate winter temperatures no lower than -7C.
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Feeding
Fertilise bay grown in containers with an organic water soluble fertiliser every three weeks from spring to late summer. Feeding is not generally needed for plants grown outdoors.
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Companions
Use an attractively potted bay plant as a movable accent in your summer herb garden. In mild winter climates, use bay as a landscape shrub or small tree.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 45cm (1' 5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 45cm (1' 5") with 60cm (1' 11") row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Start with a purchased plant, because bay stem cuttings are very difficult to root. Spring and early summer are the best times to adopt a new bay plant. Outdoors, allow 2m between plants being grown as a hedge. When grown in containers, gradually shift plants to a container at least 30cm in diameter.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
When growing bay as a potted plant, allow the soil to become dry as autumn approaches. Through winter, allow the soil to dry between waterings.
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Harvesting
Stem or leaves as desired when needed. In midsummer, gather perfect small branches and dry them in small bunches. Stored dried leaves in airtight containers.
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Troubleshooting
Repot containers every other spring, gradually moving to slightly larger pots. Outdoors, prune as needed if plants outgrow their space.
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