Basil, Grasses, Tomatoes & Houseplant Care

 

On this episode of Mid-American Gardener, host Tinisha Spain sits down with Kay Carnes, a Champaign County Master Gardener specializing in herbs, vegetables, and flowers, and Shane Cultra, a retired nursery owner and longtime plant person. 

Kay brings in a piece of basil with a flower stalk and talks about why it's important to pinch off the flowers on your basil.  Allowing the flowers to bloom means less energy is being used for the leaves, and that takes away from their incredible flavor and can even make them taste bitter.  

Shane then introduces a variegated Miscanthus sinensis, commonly referred to as cosmopolitan grass. It’s a very low-maintenance grass, and grows really fast, reaching more than 6 ft once established.  

Then they talk about tomatoes.  Several gardeners have noted having trouble growing tomatoes this season.  Kay shares that even  with constant watering and using grass clippings as mulch to conserve moisture, her tomatoes aren’t as big as they should be.

Houseplants and ornamental plants are also discussed. Shane shows off a variegated Monstera and shares how to care for it.   The group also talks about caring for hanging baskets when it’s really hot, and when to bring in your house plants for the season.