Herbs for winter

Herb use during winter

Many people who like cooking with fresh herbs that they grow in their own garden really miss out on this experience during the winter.

However, just because the ground is covered with snow does not mean that there are no herbs that can be used during the winter.

There are some perennial herbs and plants that can be seen in the winter and can be used in the cold seasons.

Winter herbs

Lemon verbenas can be potted up before the first frost and grown indoors during the winter. It is a deciduous plant and it will probably be losing all its leaves, however, come late December.

However, if it is put in a window with a lot of sunlight, growing bare sticks can be a good idea, because this will enable them to remain strong and by February, there will be new leaves emerging.

Scented geraniums and pineapple sage can grow very large, so it may be hard to bring them indoors. Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken at the end of the summer, however, and be rooted into soil. It is important to spray scented geraniums at least once a week with insecticidal soap though, because they are prone to getting aphids.

Lemongrass needs to be dug up in a clump before the first frost and then put into a pot. The leaves should then be cut down by about two inches and the plant should be kept in a sunny window but not over-watered.

Bay laurel can also remain outdoors until the first frost and then be brought inside.

It can be hard to keep rosemary during the winter, but it is usually worth it. There are several varieties, however, that can be hardy in colder temperatures.

Some rosemary plants can survive indoors, even though most will find it too hot. However, they are easy to replant in March.

Chive plants require a six-week period of dormancy every winter. They can be left outside until January and then taken in. Once they are brought indoors, the are expected to start growing within three days, believe it or not.

There are many herbs that can be grown in windowsills of the gardens, usually in separate pots. The right herbs can even grow outside if they are under a hanging fluorescent light that is located several inches away from the plant during the duration of the winter season.

So, maintaining herbs in the winter is possible, it just takes a little bit of added effort, but the reward is worth it in the end.