
Grow It Yourself
I was at the farmers market a few weeks ago when I mentioned to my mami that I was in search of basil and mint plants to grow at home. There are two of my favorite herbs, and I hadn't started them from seed.
She looked at me and said, "Why don't you just buy some cuttings and plant them?" I was dumbfounded.
"You mean I can just plant fresh cuttings in the dirt and they'll grow roots?"
"Yes," she replied. "You can pretty much do that with any plant. Buy it for a buck, plant it and you'll have it growing like crazy."
I was excited at the idea and picked up some fresh basil from Blue Gate Farm and some mint I found for $1.00.
After purchasing them, my mami explained that I can make my cuttings and plant them as is right in the dirt, or I could make the cuttings and place them in water until they grow roots.
I decided to use both methods and share a little bit about what I've learned along the way.
Propagating Stem Cuttings By Water
- From one large stem, make your cuttings.
- Pull off any bottom large leaves and flowers, if you have any. This will redirect the plants energy into forming roots. Place the cuttings in a small glass or mason jar using filtered water.
- Change the water every 2-3 days and within a couple of weeks, your cuttings should start to grow roots.
- Don't let the roots grow longer than 1 1/2â³. Once they have established roots plant them outside in a pot and keep them in the shade for a week until their roots grab hold and become stronger.