Since laurel is so slow-growing, starting from seed is not recommended. To propagate a bay laurel, obtain a six inch stem cutting from a semi-ripe stem, taken toward the end of July. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and insert into moist soil. Throughout the rooting process, maintain moist soil and keep the cutting in the shade. When the roots have developed, new leaves will appear above the soil. Once it is about 12 inches tall, plant your bay laurel outdoors. Transplant Bay laurel when it is semi-dormant, between fall and spring. Bay laurels don’t propagate easily, so propagate multiple stems at once. When planting in the garden, make sure the location has good drainage, as bay laurel tolerates many soil types, but not poor drainage. This plant also dislikes strong winds, so give them a protected location. You can create a fragrant hedge by planting the laurels about 2-3 feet apart and pruning. Prepare each planting hole with plenty of room for roots to spread out, about three times the size of the root ball, and mix some compost with the original soil. Remove the sapling from its pot, shake off old soil, and untangle the roots. For good drainage, make a cone in the center of the planting space that will support the roots’ center above excess water but allow roots to trail down to seek moisture. Spread the roots out evenly over the cone. The tree’s soil line, where the trunk meets roots should end up even with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with the soil-compost mix, water, and add a supporting stake if necessary. If you are planting your bay laurel in the ground, allow several feet of space around it. If planting in a container, choose one that is at least five gallons.