Over-Wintering Herbs!

Yes, some herbs can survive!

Visitors often admire our thriving herb garden during winter gatherings or remark on how ahead our herbs are in spring compared to others. The secret lies in certain herbs’ resilience to harsh winters. While some herbs persist throughout winter, others go dormant, reemerging in spring as perennials.

In the following guide, we’ll provide you with essential care tips to sustain your select herbs through winter, granting you a head start when spring arrives. While this method isn’t applicable to all herbs, fortunately, it works wonders for some of the most commonly used ones. Focusing on these herbs allows us to maintain a steady supply throughout the winter season and a great start to the next season.

Caring Guide for Herbs.

To successfully overwinter your herbs, it’s crucial to determine your specific Growing Zone and identify which herbs can withstand the cold typical for your zone. We’ve discovered that most of our herbs endure until Zone 4, which suits our Zone 6B conditions well. As long as they tolerate temperatures below that range, we can retain these herbs instead of composting them at season’s end.

Among the herbs we overwinter—rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, and mint—only rosemary requires indoor accommodation. We’ve had success nurturing rosemary indoors throughout the winter. Our other herbs are stored in the shed, offering protection from the elements (not temperature) while receiving indirect sunlight.

Surprisingly, the process isn’t complicated. Indoor rosemary requires regular watering and adequate sunlight, while the shed-stored herbs go dormant until spring when the weather warms.

As a bonus, we overwinter chives in the shed, a practice we’ve maintained since moving in. This approach follows the same routine as our other herbs: placing them in the shed and letting them rest until spring. It’s a simple yet effective method, offering a fantastic head start for early chives in spring!

5 Key Takeaways

Know Your Zone: Determine your Growing Zone to identify which herbs can withstand the cold typical for your area. This helps select herbs that can survive winter conditions without extra care or indoor protection.

Choose Hardy Herbs: Prioritize herbs that are naturally resilient in colder climates (like rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, and mint for many zones) to ensure they can withstand the winter chill without damage.

Selective Indoor Care: Some herbs may need indoor accommodation during winter. Consider bringing in more delicate varieties like rosemary, providing them with regular watering and adequate sunlight indoors.

Shelter for Dormancy: For hardy herbs, a shed or protected outdoor space works well. These herbs may go dormant during the winter months but will return with vigor when the weather warms up.

Easy Maintenance: Overwintering herbs generally require minimal care. Regularly water indoor herbs and ensure they receive sufficient sunlight. Shed-stored herbs need little attention as they naturally rest during this period.

By understanding your zone, choosing resilient herbs, and providing appropriate shelter or care, you can successfully preserve herbs through the winter, ensuring a fresh start for your garden in the spring.

What’s next?

Now that the vibrant colours of summer are transitioning into the warm hues of fall, it’s the perfect time to turn your thoughts toward the kitchen garden of your dreams for the coming year. The planning phase is where the magic begins, and we’re here to help you make it a reality.

We’re excited to announce that we are now accepting design consultation appointments for the upcoming gardening season (2024). To ensure that you receive the personalized attention you deserve, we’re limiting our design consultation slots to four clients per month until March. These sessions are incredibly popular and tend to fill up quickly, so securing your spot as soon as possible is essential.

Our design consultations are a unique opportunity to collaborate with us. Whether you’re dreaming of a beautiful kitchen garden layout, seeking construction services, or looking for a tailored plan, our team is dedicated to making your vision come to life.

Additionally, don’t forget to stay connected with us on social media. Our platforms are brimming with gardening insights, exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses, and real-time updates. We cherish the opportunity to engage with our gardening community and learn from your individual gardening journeys. Join our ever-growing family of plant enthusiasts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and start the conversation today. Share your gardening aspirations, ask questions, and let us guide you towards transforming your vision into a flourishing reality. We’re honored to be a part of your kitchen garden success story!

We are here to help you achieve your gardening goals! Reach out with any questions that might come up throughout your journey. 

We are excited to announce that there are some new DIY plans on our Etsy store. Whether you need some more storage in the garden, are looking to spruce up your curb appeal or are looking for a new way to grow your tomatoes, we have something for you!

Check it out here – https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WillowLaneGardenCo

Best regards,

Tessa & Kyle
Willow Lane Garden Co.

P.S. Tag us in your garden photos and stories on social media. We’d love to see your green thumb in action!