There are several reasons why a person would want to learn how to grow herbs in winter. Most of these reasons center around growing herbs that need specific conditions, such as needing minimal water or needing a cold climate. However, there are other benefits to wintertime herbs as well, such as the ability to harvest your plants and have them fresh and in great shape come Spring. It is also a good time to harvest perennials, such as marigolds and daffodils.
The type of herbs you plant in winter depends entirely on where you live. In fact, the most popular way of growing herbs is in containers. If you live in a mild climate, such as Eastern North America or Western Europe, you can grow most herbs indoors in pots and bring them out in the spring. However, if you live in a cold weather, you will likely need a greenhouse or grow them in pots.
Some of the best herbs for growing in winter are mints, thyme, oregano, chervil, sage, fennel, basil, chives, and more. When growing herbs in winter, you should place them in pots on top of six to twelve inches of dirt in the bottom of a hole in the ground. These herbs will need room to grow, so it might be a good idea to line the bottom of the hole with peat moss or gravel. They can also benefit from being planted upside down. Basil, mint, and dill are ideal herbs to plant upside down because they don’t have a hardy root system like other annuals do.
The soil that you use is also very important when it comes to growing herbs for winter. Pots and small containers are great but using a garden soil mix that is designed specifically for herbs will make your efforts much easier and keep your plants healthier. Many people mistakenly believe that their soil has to be very rich in minerals in order for them to grow properly, but most soil doesn’t require that much. Using an organic soil mix made from pines, straw, sand, and plant-based mixtures will suffice. You can add a bit of organic fertilizer during the winter season if the soil seems to have lost some of its nutrients.
As with most growing cycles, watering is a necessity. Herbs do best when they are receiving no less than an inch of water per week. If the weather gets really cold, however, you should water less frequently until the soil warms up. It’s important to water in the morning, when the sun is at its most effective. Herbs can become frost sensitive if they’re watered right after they’ve been growing well, so it’s very important to water them carefully.
The final step in your herbs gardening for winter planting is to prepare your herb shelves for the winter. This includes putting cuttings into each pot and arranging any perennials that you’ll be introducing into the garden as well as lambskins, annuals, or flowering shrubs in containers that are out of direct sunlight. Once these steps are complete, you’ll ready your herbs to begin to bloom as soon as the first snows begin to fall.
There are many benefits to growing your herbs for the winter months. Some of them include providing your garden with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as providing the plants with an opportunity to recover from a tough growing season. Many herbs can actually benefit from being harvested early in the winter, because they’ll have a lot more room to grow. Another benefit to planning early is that you’ll be prepared for the long cold winter months when it can be difficult to bring even the healthiest herbs indoors for protection. With the proper preparations, you can enjoy growing your herbs throughout the winter.
One of the easiest ways to provide your herbs with the proper environment in which to grow is to use pots. Pots ensure that your herbs will always be properly covered and protected, so they won’t be subjected to harsh winter conditions. Since most herbs like a well-oxygenated environment, using pots will also provide them with the much needed light they need to thrive throughout the growing season. If you want to learn more about choosing containers for growing herbs, keep reading. Our site provides easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to select containers for growing all types of herbs.