Bay Laurel in Zone 3B — Midwest

Bay Laurel, with its aromatic leaves, brings a touch of the Mediterranean to your Midwest kitchen. Imagine flavoring your soups and stews with homegrown bay, a simple luxury that elevates your cooking. Despite our shorter growing season, the satisfaction of nurturing this herb makes it a worthwhile addition to your garden.

While our Midwest winters are definitely a challenge for Bay Laurel, the key is proper timing and protection. Starting indoors and providing adequate care during our 118-day growing season will help you enjoy fresh bay leaves. With a little extra attention, you can successfully grow this flavorful herb.

Starting Bay Laurel from seed indoors is possible, but it’s a long game. It can take years to get a usable plant. If you’re patient and enjoy the process, go for it! Otherwise, buying an established plant is the better choice.

If you decide to start from seed, sow in early to late March, about 12 weeks before you plan to transplant outdoors. Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix and keep them warm – around 70-75°F. Bottom watering is a great way to keep the soil consistently moist without disturbing the delicate seedlings. Remember, our moderate-to-late spring means you need to be patient and watch for late frost before moving them outside.

Transplant your Bay Laurel outdoors in early June, after any risk of frost has passed. Before planting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Midwest weather.

Give each plant plenty of room, spacing them 48-96 inches apart. When transplanting, our variable spring weather can bring unexpected temperature swings. Keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to protect your young plants if a cold snap is predicted. Remember, buying an established plant will give you a head start, as Bay Laurel is notoriously slow-growing from seed.

In the Midwest, watering Bay Laurel requires a balanced approach. While it's drought-tolerant once established, consistent moisture is key, especially during our summer heat spells. Pay attention to the plant's needs and the weather conditions.

During the active growing season, typically from late June through August, aim to provide about 1 inch of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation. Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our moderate-to-humid conditions.

Watch for signs of underwatering, such as wilting or yellowing leaves. Overwatering can lead to root rot, indicated by soggy soil and browning leaves. A layer of mulch around the base of the plant will help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially beneficial during our summer heat.

Pruning Bay Laurel is generally minimal, but it helps maintain the plant's shape and size. You can prune it quite heavily without causing damage, so don't be shy. Shaping is best done in the spring.

Focus on removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Leave the healthy, productive growth untouched. As our first frost approaches in mid- September, give your plant a final light trim to remove any late-season growth that might be susceptible to frost damage. This will help it conserve energy over the winter.

You can begin harvesting Bay Laurel leaves from early June through late September in the Midwest. Even though it takes a full year for the plant to mature, you can start harvesting individual leaves as soon as they're big enough to use. Look for mature, dark green leaves, as these have the strongest flavor.

To harvest, simply snip off the individual leaves you need, taking care not to damage the main stem. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. As the first frost approaches in mid- September, harvest as many leaves as you can and dry them for use throughout the winter.

Here are the most common issues you might encounter with Bay Laurel in the Midwest:

Scale Insects

• What it looks like: Small, brown, shell-like bumps on the stems and leaves. They can also cause sticky honeydew, which attracts ants.
• What causes it: Scale insects thrive in warm, humid conditions. Our Midwest summers can provide the perfect environment for them to multiply.
• How to fix/prevent it: Inspect your plant regularly. For small infestations, wipe the scales off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger infestations, use horticultural oil, following the label instructions.

Cold Damage Below Zone 8

• What it looks like: Brown, wilted leaves, especially after a cold snap. In severe cases, the entire plant may die back.
• What causes it: Bay Laurel is only semi-hardy and not suited to our Midwest winters. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can damage or kill the plant.
• How to fix/prevent it: Since we are in zone 3b, grow Bay Laurel in a container and bring it indoors before the first frost. If you want to try overwintering it outdoors, provide heavy mulching around the base and wrap the plant in burlap for insulation. However, this is risky in our climate.

Slow Growth

• What it looks like: Minimal new growth, even during the active growing season. The plant may appear stunted and unhealthy.
• What causes it: Bay Laurel is naturally a slow grower, but poor soil conditions, inadequate sunlight, or lack of nutrients can exacerbate this issue.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your plant is in well-draining, fertile soil. Provide full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours). Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer, especially during the growing season.

Midwest Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summers and moderate-to-humid conditions can create an environment where pests and diseases thrive. Regular monitoring and proactive measures are essential to keep your Bay Laurel healthy. The wet-summer rainfall, while generally beneficial, can also lead to overwatering issues if the soil drainage is poor.

Bay Laurel benefits from companion planting that deters pests and enhances growth. Green beans are excellent companions because they fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for the Bay Laurel. Rosemary and sage are good choices, as their strong scents can help repel insects that might bother your Bay Laurel.

Avoid planting Bay Laurel near aggressive plants that might compete for resources. Also, steer clear of plants that attract pests that could also affect your Bay Laurel.