by Robin Pollack, Fulton County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer
This article is part of Garden Buzz, a series from Appen Media and the North Fulton Master Gardeners, where rotating columnists explore horticulture topics like herbs, insects, and wildlife conservation. Find all Garden Buzz articles here.
Growing herbs can be a year-round affair in the South, not just in the spring and summer! Many herbs can tolerate the South’s mild winters outside. Some of the hardy herbs which grow in the cool fall weather are cilantro, parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, and even some mint can stand up to cold weather.
When beginning to grow herbs, I usually recommend starting out with a few simple ones. Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow because they can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions and have few insect and disease problems. Historically, herbs have been used for seasoning and medicine and to provide pleasant fragrances.
Herbs prefer a well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7.5. Try to incorporate 2-3” of compost or manure to a depth of 8-12”. A soil test will determine what other nutrients need to be added to the soil. Cool season herbs need 6-8 hours of sun daily. Be sure to add 1-2” of mulch to prevent weeds and maintain proper soil moisture.
Chives, lavender, parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme are best planted in the fall, while basil and tarragon are tender summer annuals and need to be brought inside before the first frost. Rosemary, oregano and sage are hardy evergreens and can thrive all year long. Once winter sets in fully, chives will go dormant, and oregano and thyme may lose some leaves due to frost, but they will continue to grow new leaves you can harvest.
Herbs can be grown in raised beds, alongside your vegetables or mixed in your ornamental flower beds to accent cool weather blooms. Be sure and add a layer of pine straw to protect them in the landscape in the cooler seasons. They are also easily grown in containers inside or outside since herbs generally have shallow root systems. They can be grown together or individually (except mint which needs its own pot). In case of a freeze, you should water outdoor herbs well and use frost cloth for overnight protection.
Let’s look at a few cool season herbs more closely.
- Cilantro has a short life cycle and bolts (develops seeds) quickly in hot weather. That means you need to pinch back young plants an inch or so to encourage fuller, bushier plants. Snip off the top part of the main stems as soon as it appears to be developing flower buds or seed pods.
- Parsley grows well in sun or part shade with at least 6 hours of sun daily. There are two basic kinds, curled and flat leaved. Parsley requires consistent moisture for continuous growth.
- Rosemary is an evergreen perennial. It is quite easy to grow because it is drought tolerant and requires very little maintenance. It can grow up to 4’ tall and wide, so give it lots of space. After the plant flowers, trim and prune regularly so it doesn’t become too lanky.
- Sage is also a perennial herb. At a young age it needs consistent moisture until it starts to grow quickly. You don’t want to harvest too much during the first year so the plant will continue to grow.
- Thyme is a beautiful creeping ground cover. All thyme is fragrant, and there are several varieties to choose from. Water normally, and prune the plant back in the spring and summer to contain its growth.
There are many uses for herbs including hardy and cool weather herbs. More than 70 different herbs have been identified according to their cooking, aromatic, ornamental or medicinal uses. An herb is defined as any plant that produces seeds but does not form a wood stem or any part of a plant that can be used for medicinal, cooking or spiritual purposes. Many herbs fall in more than one category.
During the holidays, fresh herbs can enhance the flavor in your Christmas or Thanksgiving meal. Plant rosemary, thyme, oregano, chives and winter savory for your turkey or stuffing. You can garnish the display with fresh sprigs of herbs.
Those same savory herbs from your meal can add homemade flavor to your soups and stews. Add parsley and thyme, high in vitamin A and C, to chicken broth to fight off colds and boost your immune system.
Have fun creating holiday drinks with fresh herbs! Add mint to hot cocoa, add rosemary to your apple cider, add lavender to your tea and make a tonic with thyme and sage for winter colds.
To harvest your herbs, it is best to collect them early in the morning after any moisture has dried. You can dry herbs by tying bundles of stems together and hanging them in a warm dry area. They can also be preserved by freezing dried leaves or placing them in an ice tray with water. Frozen herbs will last 3-6 months before losing their freshness.
Herb gardens were once an important part of the American home and have recently regained popularity with people enjoying the fresh herbs in cooking or just for their fresh look or scent. Growing your own herbs is one of the most rewarding things to grow in the garden. They taste better and save you money.
Happy gardening!
Learn More
- Bown, Deni. Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. London: Darling Kindersley, 1995.
- Hill, Madelene and Gwen Barclay. Southern Herb Gardening. Texas: Shearer Publishing 1987.
- Michalak, Patricia. Rodale’s Successful Organic Gardening: Herbs. Pennsylvania: Rodale Press, 1993.
About the Author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” features Sandy Springs resident Robin Pollack, an accomplished artist and Master Gardener. Active in the Atlanta art community since 1970, Robin has taught for over 30 years at Chastain Arts Center and has been a Master Gardener since 2005. As a member of North Fulton Master Gardeners, she has taught vegetable gardening at Farm Chastain and her own garden. Her garden, influenced by her artistic eye, has been featured on tours including Atlanta Botanical Garden and Georgia Perennial Plant Association.
