Question
Hello! I have a basil plant and a rosemary plant. I dug them up in winter and put them in pots inside my house. The rosemary seemed to take it well, since it grew more leaves. However, now it is not growing up, but it got a little bushy and that also stopped. I磛e been taking off some leaves, but not too much, since I don磘 want to kill it. What can I do for it so it resumes growing? On the other hand, the basil was also better whith the moving inside, but in January, it slowed the growth of leaves and now when they grow, they begin to whither and get whitish and the ends and up until the entire leaf dies. Now the plant is woody near the soil and has only two or three new little leaves that seem to be trying to grow. What is the matter with it? should I just buy a new one? How can I do to recover it?
Thanks!
Rocio

Answer
Rocio:
It would be best to get new plants. Don't plant basil until night temps are 60+ degrees. Keep it pruned by clipping 1/3 off each branch every 3 weeks or often while growing outdoors. Feed every 3 weeks with organic fertilizer( liquid fish/and/or seaweed & fish. Bring indoors to a southern,eastern window to receive 16 hours of sun or fluorescent light. Give plenty of ventilation and water sparingly. Keep pruned to promote vigorous growth. Same for rosemary, but really must watch the water. Don't allow to become root bound. Place in 8-12" deep pot with sterile soil. Do not bring indoors until temps are about 40. Do not allow to freeze. By the way, basil will die at first frost or temps below 60. Keep rosemary pruned to prevent heavy woody, growth. Just prune the new growth only. Hardy rosemary that wil stay outdoors all winter are called "arp" and "hardy hill or hill hardy".

Leroy