Growing Herbs In South Carolina – heat and humidity problems
Bob,
I am having difficulty finding potted herbs in the sandhills of South Carolina. I have seen online providers, national catalog compnaies, etc., butwhile they sell herbs, their information about growing herbs in the sandy humidkty of South Carolina is paltry.
I need to know for particular plants what soil ph is required, what plants take not only drought but high humidity, etc.
I had a lovely French tarragon I planted in slightly acidic (6.4 or so) soil in partial shade, surronded by a collar of hay for mulch. The first year it did well. It grew slowly, but survived the heat, humidity of the summer, and the snow and ice of last year’s cold winter. This year, it kicked off. Any idea what I should do to keep it alive?
I am also having difficulty with finding coriander seed that will germinate. Any clues?
Thanks,
Pam
Reader Comments
HI Pam,
On your French Tarragon my advice is keep in house or cool area and what you are experiencing is the usual. We are just too hot and humid for FT to ever develop. In New England grows like rosemary does here but we are not suited for French tarragon and only subsustitute, poor one too, is Texas Tarragon but no where near same taste etc.
Herbs are weeds and most grow in any soil with little attention to Ph. The Mediterranean herbs, oregano, basil, thymes, etc. like sandy soil with little water retention. Most herbs can not stand damp feet, wet soil to grow in.
Look for common names on plants like “Mexican bush basil”, “Spanish lavender”, as the common name often indicates a region and the plant has been hybridized for that climate. Don’t know on coriander seed if you using source of grocer or seed supplier. Grocer has been treated somewhat and may not work or is a hybridized seed treated to not reproduce.
Hope this helps.
bobj