Fresh herbs aren’t just for spring and summer. In fact, some herbs do better in cooler weather, and fall is a great time to plant them in the garden thanks to mild temperatures and warm soil. Plant them in containers or right into the garden once the temperatures drop, and they’ll be ready to harvest before winter cold sets in. Cool-season herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill may be annuals, but they can tolerate some frost. Perennial herbs like rosemary, thyme, and chives are more hardy, and some types may even thrive through winter. Here’s what to plant in a fall herb garden for fresh flavor throughout the season.
Growing Herbs In Fall
Make sure to plant fall herbs in well-draining, slightly acidic soil (6.0 – 7.5 pH) in a space where they’ll get six to eight hours of sunlight a day. Adding an inch or two of mulch can help retain moisture, control weeds, and regulate temperatures. While you can plant herbs directly in your garden, a container adds a little more protection from harsh weather if winters are colder where you live. If temperatures dip suddenly or your area gets unexpected snow, you can move the container indoors for protection. You can even grow all of your herbs in one container for convenience.
Rosemary
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Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in heat and sun, but it’s hardy enough for winter weather since it’s pretty frost resistant. Plant rosemary in the fall before the first frost in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 and higher to give it time to establish a good root system before winter. Younger plants will have a hard time handling cold snaps. Ideal temperatures range from 55ºF to 80ºF, but rosemary can withstand temperatures down to 30ºF. Cold-hardy varieties like ‘Arp’ can grow in Zones 6-7 with protection from infrequent harsh temperatures. It can be damaged by frost, so add a layer of mulch around the base and bring potted plants indoors when the forecast calls for below-freezing temps.
Thyme
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Fall is a good time to plant hardy herbs like thyme (Thymus vulgaris) because the soil is still warm enough for germination, and there’s still enough time for it to establish a healthy root system before winter. Lower temperatures mean less stress on the plant. Plant it three or four weeks before the first frost to give roots time to establish. Thyme generally grows best in temperatures from 50ºF to 80ºF in Zones 5-9, though it varies by type. In colder climates, mulch around the base of the plant. While thyme can tolerate some frost and snow, move it indoors during harsh weather if it’s grown in a container to keep it year-round. Outdoors, the plant may reduce or stop leaf production and die back in cold climates, but it will grow again in the spring.
Sage
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Sage (Salvia officinalis) isn’t cut out for humid Southern summers, so fall is the perfect time to plant it. For fall planting, aim for eight weeks before the first frost, in August or September if the first frost in your area is in October or November. Grow it as a perennial in Zones 5-8, or as an annual or overwintered indoors outside these zones. Ideal temperatures for sage are 60ºF to 70ºF and it is able to withstand lower temperatures to 41ºF. It will go dormant during freezing in winter. Some varieties, like pineapple sage, aren’t as cold-hardy, so determine the needs for your specific plant and provide winter protection if needed.
Lavender
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Plant lavender (Lavandula) eight to 10 weeks before cold temperatures or a hard frost arrives. Most varieties are hardy in Zones 5-9, and some, like English lavender, can handle extreme cold and harsh winter weather. It prefers temperatures from 68ºF to 95ºF, but can tolerate lows down to -20ºF. Mulching can protect it during cold winters, or you can overwinter the plant in a container indoors. In warmer climates, you can plant lavender in the fall, but waiting until spring is best for colder regions like Zones 6 and below. You can harvest lavender up until late fall.
Chives
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Use these slender green leaves well into football season with a fall planting. This gives chives (Allium schoenoprasum) time to establish roots, and you’ll have a good harvest when spring comes. This herb grows in a range of climates and can tolerate cold temperatures. They’ll go dormant once winter temperatures below 40ºF officially kick in. Plant them in September or October in Zones 3-10.
Oregano
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Like rosemary, oregano (Origanum vulgare) thrives in warm climates, but it can grow well in cool weather. The perennial is hardy in Zones 5-9 with ideal temperatures from 60ºF to 80ºF. It tolerates temperatures to 40ºF as well as some frost, but be sure to provide protection from hard freezes. Plant oregano six to eight weeks before the first frost is expected in order to give it time to establish roots. In regions with milder winters, oregano may remain green, allowing harvesting through spring.
Cilantro
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Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) bolts quickly in hot weather, making it the worst time to plant it. Wait until cooler weather arrives to plant it so you’ll have plenty of cilantro to harvest before winter weather kicks in. It typically grows as an annual in Zones 2-11. In areas with mild winters, it may survive through the season. Plant it in late summer—late August to early September—so you can harvest it before winter begins. Cilantro can tolerate light frost, but you’ll need to protect it with row covers once temperatures drop in order to extend its growth a little longer. Plant it in the fall when temperatures are consistently between 50ºF and 80ºF, and harvest before the first fall frost.
Dill
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Dill (Anethum graveolens) is grown as an annual and prefers temperatures between 40ºF and 75ºF. Plant seeds in late summer or early fall, once temperatures drop below 85ºF, for a winter harvest. It can grow in a range of climates, from Zones 2-11, but Zones 7-9 are best for fall planting. To ensure a harvest before the weather is too cold, plant dill in mid-July to early August. Fall planting also allows time for seeds to drop and germinate for a fresh batch in spring. While dill can handle light frosts, you should harvest it before the first hard freeze in your area.
Parsley
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Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a biennial that completes its life cycle in two years, but it is commonly grown as an annual. In areas with mild winters, parsley may survive all season, bringing fresh flavor to cold-weather meals. Ideal temperatures for parsley are 50ºF to 75ºF, but it can tolerate lows of 20ºF. The best time for fall planting is late September or early October, though it can be planted into February in milder regions. Cool-season planting keeps parsley from bolting, or going to seed quickly. It grows in Zones 3-9. Add a layer of mulch to maintain soil temperature and retain moisture.
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