Bay leaves from a laurel tree spice up many recipes.
The leaf of a bay laurel tree is used in stews, soups, sauces and salads to infuse the food with a strong, tangy flavor. Growing laurel trees at home is relatively easy. If left unchecked, the tree can grow larger than 40 feet tall, but it can be pruned to be contained in a small garden or even as a houseplant. Proper care will provide you with an attractive tree and a constant source of bay leaves.
Instructions
1. Till the soil in an area of your garden that receives four to five hours of sunlight each day. Till to a depth of 10 to 12 inches to freshen the soil and break up weed roots.
2. Add 2 to 3 inches of organic material, such as aged compost, manure or peat moss, to the area and till again to mix in the amendment. This will increase drainage in the soil; laurels will rot in poor-draining soil.
3. Plant your young laurel tree or a cutting from a healthy laurel tree in the soil in late spring or early summer. Bury the entire root system of the tree or insert the rooting 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep in the soil.
4. Water the soil so that it is fully moist; stop when the water starts to form puddles in the soil. The laurel is highly drought resistant and needs little manual watering; water in the future only if the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This will likely only happen in drought conditions.
5. Spread a 2 -to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree; keep the mulch at least 6 inches away from the tree itself or you could burn the trunk. The mulch will keep the soil moist and will prevent weed competition.
