Herb Gardening – Prepare Your Herb Garden for Winter

As with most plants, herbs can be either an annual, which will die after only one season or be a perennial which will return year after year. Depending on which type you have planted, there are different steps that must be taken in order to winterize your herb garden.

The herb, Basil for instance, is highly sensitive to the cold temperatures of the winter season. Therefore, if it is planted outside, it will not survive and must be replaanted again the following spring. Sage and Thyme however, withstand the harsh chill of winter quite well. Although their leaves may wither and their stalks may display the appearance of being dead, rest assured that these delectable plants will return for another hardy season.

Since herbs are a hardy plant and are able to survive what other plants would consider poor soil, it is not necessary to add fertilizer. However, if you feel that fertilization is necessary, be sure to end this process around mid-August. If the fertilizer produces a spurt of new growth, these fresh sprouts will not be able to mature properly when the frost and snow set in. In addition, this can also inhibit the growth process for the following season.

As the seasons begin to turn colder, the perennial plants will stop growing and start to lose their leaves and their stalks will turn brown, giving them a dead appearance. When the onset of spring begins however, the ground will warm and the sunlight will last longer and you can rest assured that these beautiful plants will once again grace your elegant garden.

The task of pruning and trimming should also be terminated around August or September. Each time the herb is trimmed, it promotes the process of new growth. These new sprouts will not have enough time to mature and will only end up dieing off. In addition, the dead growth must be cleared away in order for the herb plant to resume the growing process once the following season arrives.

All herbs require soil that features proper drainage. Most herb varieties prefer a drier soil; however, the Peppermint plant prefers to reside in a soil that is moist. It is important to note that moist, does not mean wet and with winter coming, that point could not be more important. Plants such as Rosemary, Thyme and Lavender are all natives from the Mediterranean. These plants enjoy soil that is rocky, dry and warm, also important to remember when winter is starting to approach.

A soil that is wet will draw heat away from plants, making them even more vulnerable to winter’s wrath. In addition, the wet soil has the ability to freeze and thaw quite frequently with the ever changing temperatures and this can cause cracking of the roots and other ills that can prevent a bountiful harvest the following spring.

A proper mixture of soil can be helpful when planting herbs. Sandy loam is great for creating space for air to move, while also allowing for excess water to easily flow away from the plant. Clay is an excellent particle that both absorbs and retains moisture. As the soil dries out, the clay releases moisture to the plants.

Mulch is another essential tool useful in winterizing your herbs. A layer of pine bark and needles or even commercial grade mulch will do wonders to help protect the soil and the plants during the winter season. You may also want to consider building a wire cage around your plants; this will assist in protecting the soil and the plants from wind, snow and the bitter winter chill.

A proper winterization plan will help ensure that your beautiful and aromatic herb garden will come back again for another year of pleasant memories.

         

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