Bay Laurel in Zone 3A — Mountain West

Bay Laurel brings the taste of the Mediterranean right to your Mountain West kitchen. Its aromatic leaves elevate soups, stews, and sauces, offering a culinary versatility that thrives even in our unique climate. Plus, there's a special satisfaction in harvesting your own herbs, knowing they've soaked up our intense sunlight and benefited from our cool nights, which actually enhance their flavor.

Our short growing season and high altitude can present challenges, but with careful timing and a bit of protection, you can absolutely cultivate Bay Laurel here. With a growing season around 96 days, starting indoors and choosing the right spot are key to success.

Starting Bay Laurel from seed indoors is possible, but it can be a slow process. Because of our late springs in the Mountain West, aim to start seeds indoors from mid-March through early April, about 12 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. This gives them a head start before our short growing season kicks in.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix, ensuring they're kept consistently warm and well-lit – a sunny windowsill or grow light works wonders. Bottom watering is helpful to avoid disturbing the delicate seedlings. Be patient; germination can be slow and uneven.

Transplanting your Bay Laurel seedlings outdoors should happen in mid to late June, once all danger of frost has passed. Before planting them permanently, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to our intense UV and fluctuating temperatures.

Space your Bay Laurel plants 48-96 inches apart, giving them plenty of room to grow. Keep in mind that Bay Laurel is extremely slow growing from seed, so consider purchasing an established plant from a nursery to get a head start. Our weather can still be unpredictable in early summer, so keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to cover your transplants if a late frost threatens.

Established Bay Laurel plants are relatively drought-tolerant, which is a boon in our dry Mountain West climate. However, consistent watering is still important, especially during the heat of summer. Container-grown plants will dry out faster than those in the ground, so monitor them more closely.

During the growing season, give your Bay Laurel a good soaking about once a week, or whenever the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch – use the "finger test" to check. Water deeply at the base of the plant, delivering about 1 inch of water per week. With our low humidity, overhead watering isn't usually a problem, but watering at the base helps prevent soil splash and potential fungal issues.

Pay attention to your plant's leaves. Drooping or yellowing leaves can indicate either overwatering or underwatering. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Applying a layer of mulch around the base of your plant will help retain moisture in our dry climate and regulate soil temperature.

Pruning Bay Laurel is generally minimal. The main goal is to maintain its shape and size, and to remove any dead or damaged branches. Bay Laurel tolerates heavy pruning, so don't be afraid to shape it as needed.

The best time to prune is in the spring, after the worst of the winter weather has passed. Avoid heavy pruning late in the season, as this can stimulate new growth that might not harden off before our first frost in early September. Simply trim off any unwanted growth to keep the plant tidy and encourage bushier growth.

You can begin harvesting Bay Laurel leaves from mid-June through mid-September. The leaves are generally ready to harvest about a year after planting. Look for mature, dark green leaves, as these have the strongest flavor. You can harvest individual leaves as needed throughout the growing season.

To harvest, simply snip off the leaves with scissors or pruning shears. Avoid stripping the entire plant at once, as this can weaken it. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

As our first frost approaches in early September, harvest any remaining mature leaves for drying. Spread them out in a single layer in a cool, dry place until they are brittle. Store the dried leaves in an airtight container for later use.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing Bay Laurel in the Mountain West:

Scale Insects

• What it looks like: Small, immobile bumps on the stems and leaves, often brown or white. They may look like part of the plant itself.
• What causes it: Scale insects thrive in warm, dry conditions, which are common in our region during the summer. They suck sap from the plant, weakening it.
• How to fix/prevent it: Regularly inspect your plant for scale. For small infestations, wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, consider using horticultural oil, but apply it carefully to avoid burning the leaves in our intense sun.

Cold Damage

• What it looks like: Brown or black leaves, especially at the tips and edges. In severe cases, entire branches may die back.
• What causes it: Bay Laurel is only semi-hardy and can suffer damage from our cold winter temperatures and late spring frosts.
• How to fix/prevent it: Provide winter protection by wrapping the plant in burlap or moving it to a sheltered location. Consider growing it in a container so you can bring it indoors during the coldest months.

Slow Growth

• What it looks like: The plant remains small and doesn't seem to put on much new growth each year.
• What causes it: Our short growing season, alkaline soil, and intense UV can all contribute to slow growth.
• How to fix/prevent it: Amend your soil with compost to improve drainage and nutrient availability. Provide some afternoon shade to protect the plant from our intense sun. Ensure the plant is getting adequate water and fertilizer. Be patient – Bay Laurel is naturally a slow grower.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: Our moderate-at-altitude summer heat and low humidity generally don't pose significant problems for Bay Laurel, but our dry rainfall means consistent watering is crucial, especially for container-grown plants. Our alkaline soil can also hinder growth, so amending with compost and using a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants can help.

Good companions for Bay Laurel in the Mountain West include:

• Green Beans: Beans are nitrogen fixers, meaning they pull nitrogen from the air and deposit it in the soil, enriching the soil and helping Bay Laurel thrive in our sometimes poor mountain soils.
• Rosemary: Rosemary thrives in similar dry, sunny conditions as Bay Laurel, and its strong scent can help deter pests that might bother the Bay Laurel.
• Sage: Like rosemary, sage is drought-tolerant and aromatic, creating a beneficial environment for Bay Laurel by deterring pests.

Avoid planting Bay Laurel near anything that requires consistently moist soil, as this could lead to overwatering and root rot.