Question
Hi,
I am a beginner herb gardener and bought three 'easy' herbs to start off - rosemary, oregano and basil.  I live in a big city and do not have a garden and am growing them in pots on the roof of my house - one pot for each herb.  I have read that all of these plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight a day, but up on my roof they are getting full sun all day (12-16 hours, especially in the longer days of summer) - is there such thing as too much sun for these plants?  The basil plant is starting to have tiny light brown spots on it - could this be from too much sun?
Thanks!

Answer
Alice:
Correct plants need that amount of sun. It is best that they receive this sun in the morning first. The basil is the only one to take all day sun. It is a fast grower and need at least a 12" deep pot and sterile potting soil. The miracle grow soil with fertilizer may be too strong. Mix with 1/2 sterile soil and feed all plants with liquid fish fertilizer every 3 weeks. Cut at least 1/3 off each branch of basil every 3 weeks, needed or not. Cut below the flowers when they appear. Let the rain do most of the watering. Water rosemary once a week keep oregano cut also.
Try placing a shade barrier on the west side of the plants to filter evening sun.

Leroy