| WE HAVE BOUGHT 4 SWEET BAY PLANTS. TWO OF THEM WE HAVE PLANTED IN OUR GARDEN, AND THE REMAINING TWO WE HAVE PLACED IN CAST STONE URNS. WE LOVE THE LOOK, AND WE USE THE LEAVES SOMETIMES FOR COOKING. WE KNOW IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR ZONES 8 TO 10, HOWEVER WE ARE IN NJ AND AT WINTER TIME SOMETIMES IT GETS AROUND 0 DEGREES F. WHAT SHALL WE DO FOR THESE PLANTS NOT TO DIE?, SHALL WE COVER WHEN IT IS TOO COLD, AND WHAT SHALL WE COVER WITH? PLS. ADVICE. THANKS, SEVAN |
| There is a huge difference between the winters in zone 8 and the cold winters in your area. There is no way you can protect this plant (Laurus nobilis) enough to leave it outside for the winter and expect it to survive. You will have to bring it indoors. You can keep it in a cool but bright location (the temperature should be somewhere between about 45 and 60 degrees), water just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely, and do not fertilize while it is outside. Bring it indoors before the temperatures drop below 45. Take it back outside next spring when the weather moderates. Good luck with your bay trees! |
