September is sticky, and while grocery shoppers have yet to discover the secret of herb gardeners, savvy herb gardeners know the secret. Most people think that the growing season is coming to an end, but not these 15 smart herbs. For them, the season is just beginning, and they are about to enter their most productive time of the year.
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Check PriceHerbs planted in the fall don't only endure the cooler temperatures; they flourish in them. The mix of warm soil and cooling air generates optimal conditions for rapid root growth, leading to more robust plants and richer harvests than anything planted in the spring warmth.
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Mediterranean Climate Powerhouses That Enjoy Cool Temperatures
When planted now, rosemary gets a chance to thrive as a winter warrior instead of a struggling summer survivor. When temperatures cool rosemary's needle-like leaves become more concentrated with oils which makes them better for flavoring roasts and stews. One rosemary bush planted in the fall can provide fresh herbs for years!
Sage takes a while to establish but it becomes extraordinarily hardy as winter approaches. The fuzzy leaves that may have seemed tired during the heat of summer will turn into lush and flavorful leaves that will be a holiday cooking delight. Planting now means you'll be able to harvest fresh sage for Thanksgiving stuffing.
Despite frosty temperatures, thyme continues to develop as thick, fragrant mats. Additionally, this low-growing herb offers living mulch and provides fresh leaves throughout the winter. With various species, thyme can also provide a variety of flavors, including lemon thyme and English thyme.
Cool-Season Champions
Cilantro grows best in cool weather, so it’s ideal to plant it now. You’ll have plenty of time to grow your salsa ingredients and even help it avoid going to seed because of the summer heat. Watch your plants grow all winter!
When the temperature drops slightly, parsley will become extremely sweet. Both the flat-leaf and curly types will form a strong root system during the cooler months that will allow for continuous harvesting throughout the winter and very vigorous growth in the spring.
Chives grow underground in the fall, and in the spring, they come up as clumps that can be cut multiple times. They also have purple flowers that can be eaten, adding color to your salads and soups.
Hardy Survivors
When the weather gets colder, and plant operations start to slow, the stress induces stronger flavor production, especially in Greek Oregano. When planted in the fall, the plants grow with a lot of density which allows for greater flavor retention even during the winter dormancy.
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Winter Savory has the ability to hold it's green color, and be harvestable even under snow. This lesser-known herb adds a peppery flavor to winter stews and bean dishes.
Lavender develops large root systems to help with fall establishment. The English Lavender types endure tough winters and bring spring rewards with scented purple spikes that are useful in cooking, crafting, and adding garden aesthetics.
Cold-Hardy Surprises
Peppermint and spearmint grow best in cooler temperatures than those found in the summer heat. Because they are aggressive spreaders, container gardening is recommended for these species. Then, you can enjoy fresh ingredients for your summer tea recipes.
If planted at this time, fennel will develop impressive bulbs in the cool weather. Both bronze and green varieties have feathery leaves that enhance the appearance of winter gardens and aromatic foliage and seeds.
The fall is when you should plant garlic if you want the best development of the individual bulbs. Varieties that are hardneck can survive harsh winters and offer scapes in the spring before the summer when the bulbs mature.
Unexpected Fall Growers
Dill is cooler-weather crop. It grows better in the fall than in summer heat. With summer heat, dill bolts quicker. Dill is ready for falls pickle making and fish dishes.
Chamomile will self-seed and create new colonies of the calming tea herb if planted in the fall. German chamomile is an annual that self-sows, while Roman chamomile is a perennial.
Lemon Balm develops impressive root systems in the fall and then produces an abundant amount of new growth in the spring. It is a member of the mint family and has lemony leaves that can be used in tea and desserts.
Why Do We See So Much Success In The Fall?
Reduced evaporation stress with cooler air temperatures, combined with warm soil that supports active root growth, helps plants develop large underground structures. This is achieved without energy costs associated with top growth, which is typically high during hot weather.
As temperatures cool, several herbs produce more concentrated essential oils. This same winter survival mechanism that helps plants persevere develops stronger flavors in your cuisine.
The even wetting of fall rain, and the lack of summer storm extremes wetting and drying cycles, while providing reliable moisture, promotes deep root development and drought tolerance for the following year.
Fall planted herbs have about three to four times more root mass than newly planted seedlings by spring. They also begin to produce harvestable growth several weeks earlier than seedlings and can be productive for a longer period into the following winter.
The timing for fall herb establishment can be very tricky. If you plant too early, the summer heat can create stress on the new transplants. If you wait too long, there may not be enough time for root development before the hard freeze. Most regions experience this perfect time from September through early October.
As you enjoy your homegrown fresh herbs, your grocery bill will thank you. Your neighbors will be paying top dollar for weak substitutes that have been imported and traveled far. Fresh herbs make an obvious difference in every meal and grow at your home.
