We eat year-round so why not grow herbs year-round?
Well, not so fast.
We live in the northern half of the northern hemisphere (some of us do, anyway). It's not easy to grow herbs in the winter, even on a sunny windowsill when the sun is at a low angle in the sky, but it is possible to grow great herbs all summer long and well into the fall. Some are quite hardy and will tolerate the frosts of late fall or early winter (thyme, rosemary and sage) and others are very hardy, even on the prairies (oregano and mint).
You should find a generous selection of quality herbs at your local garden retailer this time of year, with at least three months to still enjoy their appearance and use them in the kitchen.
Remember that all herbs need at least six hours of sunshine a day to perform well. Most are native to the Mediterranean area and prefer to be dry most of the time (not bone dry, but on the dry side). Basil, a native of India, is a special exception to this. Treat it as you would a petunia - it loves the sun, but needs to be somewhat dry between water applications, however, never let the pot or the soil around its roots become completely dry.
No need to fertilize your herbs either. Just pot them up or plant them in your garden and enjoy. Be sure to clip foliage as you need it.
For tips on preserving herbs for future use go to www.markcullen.com.
