Many gardeners assume that winter is never a good time of year to plant herbs. But even though it’s freezing outside, you can still get fresh herbs by planting plants that can handle the cold.
Nick’s Garden Center explains what hardy herbs are and how they’re adapted for this season. We also introduce you to the best herbs that can withstand Denver’s cold winters.
Winter-hardy herbs are a variety of plants that can thrive in winter. The herbs have special adaptations that help them thrive in harsh conditions such as frost. In particular, the winter-hardy plants have the following characteristics:
As the weather cools down and autumn fades into winter, most gardeners put their gardening tools away and settle in for the cold season. But growing herbs doesn’t have to stop when winter arrives. Many hardy herb varieties can be grown through the winter months, giving you a supply of fresh herbs all year long.
Growing herbs in winter has many benefits Fresh herbs add delightful flavor to soups, stews, roasts, and other cold weather dishes. Plus, growing your own means you can avoid the high cost of buying herbs at the grocery store during the off-season. Winter-grown herbs are also believed to be more flavorful and aromatic due to the cooler temperatures
With proper planning and protection, you can have homegrown herbs straight from the garden, even when there’s snow on the ground. Here are some of the best herbs to grow for winter harvesting.
Perennial Herbs That Thrive in Winter
Many aromatic perennial herbs are well-suited for growing through winter. These plants come back year after year, providing an ongoing harvest. Some of the best include:
Thyme
This classic culinary herb is a sturdy perennial with evergreen foliage. Both common thyme and lemon thyme remain productive through winter in most regions. Thyme grows 6-12 inches tall and can be harvested all season long. It adds delicious flavor to meats, stews, and roasted vegetables.
Chives
No herb garden is complete without chives These grass-like perennial herbs belong to the onion family Both the leaves and edible flowers have a mild onion flavor. Snip chives into salads, omelets, baked potatoes, and more. Protect plants with a cold frame or cloche in very cold areas.
Oregano
Greek oregano and golden oregano are flavorful perennial herbs with good cold tolerance. The plants die back in winter but tender new foliage persists at the base. Cover with protective structures to boost winter growth. Use oregano leaves to flavor pasta, pizza, and Mediterranean dishes all season long.
Rosemary
In warm climates (zones 8-10), rosemary can be harvested year-round Elsewhere, grow it in containers and bring plants indoors or into a greenhouse in winter. The pine-scented leaves are delicious with roasted meats and vegetables Rosemary also makes a refreshing tea.
Mint
Spearmint, peppermint, and other mint varieties are very cold hardy perennials, vigorous growers, and easy to cultivate. Protect mint plants with row covers or hoop houses and harvest the leaves for tea, jellies, desserts, and more. Be sure to plant mints in containers to control spread.
Biennial Herbs for Two Season Harvests
Cool weather brings out the best in biennial herbs. These plants grow foliage the first season and flower the following year. Here are two top choices:
Parsley
Both curly leaf and Italian flat leaf parsley thrive in cool weather. This biennial herb produces an abundance of leaves your first year, perfect for seasoning soups, salads, and more. Protect plants with cloches or cold frames for winter harvests.
Chervil
Delicate chervil has lacy, fern-like foliage with a mild anise flavor. It bolts and flowers the second year. Cover plants in winter to keep harvesting the parsley-like leaves. Use chervil to season eggs, chicken, fish, and winter vegetable dishes.
Best Annual Herbs for Winter Growing
You’ll need to sow annual herbs each season, but they yield generously over winter. Try growing these fast-growing varieties:
Cilantro
This popular herb is also known as coriander. Cilantro produces abundantly and thrives in cool conditions. Both the fresh green foliage and ripe coriander seeds are used in Mexican, Indian, and Asian cooking. insulate plants from hard freezes.
Dill
Dill is another cold-loving annual herb that grows quickly in winter. Use the feathery leaves to flavor pickles, salad dressings, seafood, and more. Dill produces lovely yellow flowers and aromatic seeds too. Protect plants from heavy snow.
Winter Savory
Plant this compact annual herb in fall for winter harvests. The peppery leaves add flavoring to beans, meat, stuffing, and sausages. Winter savory remains productive under row covers when temperatures plummet.
Growing Herbs in Winter
While many herbs are naturally cold tolerant, you’ll get the best results by giving them a bit of protection. Here are some tips:
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Choose the right location. Pick a sunny, sheltered spot in your garden. Avoid areas that collect standing water.
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Prepare the soil. Enrich soil with aged compost or manure before planting. This gives roots the nutrition they need.
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Mulch well. Apply 4-6 inches of shredded leaves, straw, or other organic mulch around plants to insulate roots from cold.
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Use protective structures. Mini hoop tunnels, cold frames, cloches, and low tunnels will create a warmer microclimate and boost growth.
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Cover with fabric row covers. These let in light and air while providing up to 8 degrees of frost protection.
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Harvest often. Regular trimming encourages new growth. Don’t remove more than one-third of the plant at once.
With the right varieties and care, you can grow and harvest flavorful herbs in your garden all winter long. Just step outside to snip fresh herbs to spice up your cooking on even the coldest days.
Planning Your Winter Herb Garden
Planning is an important first step in winter gardening. It helps you take steps to protect your herbs from frost damage, root rot and general stress. So how do you plan your herb garden for the winter? Here are three important things to keep in mind:
- Assess your garden’s climate zone. Your climate zone assessment tells you about the typical winter weather in your area. This information will help you choose the right herbs for your garden.
- Choose the right herbs for your specific region. Not every hardy herb can thrive in your area. As a result, look around for herbs that can handle the cold weather in Denver.
- Design a layout for your winter herb garden. Before you plant, make a plan based on things like the size of your garden, how much sun it gets, and how your plants usually grow. This plan will help you figure out how many seedlings you need.
There are many hardy plants to choose from, such as medicine herbs, perennial herbs, and annuals. Below, the garden experts at Nick’s Garden Center present the best varieties of each category.
Perennial herbs have a lifespan of more than two years. These herb varieties provide you with fresh herbs year after year without the need for regular replanting.
Some of the best perennial herbs that are ideal for winter in Denver are:
- Rosemary. Rosemary is a fragrant herb that can be used in cooking and as a flower. With proper care, it can live 15 – 25 years.
- Thyme. Thyme is a low-growing shrub with a leafy, hollow stem. It is a popular spice for soups, stews and vegetables.
- Sage. Sage boasts velvety, gray-green leaves that beautify your garden. The herb can also be used to season root vegetables.
- Lavender. The plant has slender stems with silvery green foliage. It is famous for its calming and soothing properties.
Biennial herbs usually have a life span of two years. They complete their vegetative growth in one year and flower and set seed the next. Like perennials, biennials save you the hassle of replanting each year.
Some of the best biennial herbs for winter in Denver are:
- Parsley. Parsley is characterized by light green, feathery leaves. It’s grown by gardeners and used in cooking to add flavor to salads and sauces.
- Chervil. Chervil has fern-like leaves with a bright green hue. It tastes like anise and goes well with seafood and omelets.
- Angelica. The stem of angelica is tall and has leaves with lobes. It also has clusters of greenish-white flowers. The herb is prized for its medicinal properties.
These herbs germinate, flower, and seed within one year. Annual herbs are different from perennial and biennial herbs because you can switch them out every season to enjoy different smells, tastes, or health benefits.
The annual herbs that do well in Denver winters are:
- Cilantro/Coriander. The bright green, parsley-like leaves of cilantro make your garden look beautiful. The plant is beautiful, and you can also use it to add flavor to many foods.
- Dill. Dill has pinnate leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers. It is well-known as a culinary herb that is used to season and pickle seafood.
- Winter Savory. Small, shiny green leaves and a tight growth habit are what make winter savory stand out. It smells good and tastes peppery. It works well in stuffings and meat dishes.
Medicinal herbs are rich in bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. These compounds are often anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, or immune-boosting.
Winter-hardy plants with potent medicinal value include:
- Echinacea. Echinacea has bright, daisy-like flowers with striking dark green leaves. It is a powerful immune booster.
- Lemon Balm. Lemon balm has heart-shaped leaves with a fresh, lemony scent. Its aroma helps you calm down.
- Peppermint. Peppermint has dark green, serrated leaves and small purple flowers. It relieves stomach ailments.
Perennial Power: 6 Herbs That Brave Winter and Flourish Year After Year!
FAQ
What is the best herb to grow in winter?
Are there any herbs that can be planted in the fall?
What months are best to plant herbs?
Can I grow herbs indoors year round?
What herbs can you grow in winter?
Below you’ll find nine of my top herbs to grow in winter as well as information on how to protect the plants from winter winds, cold, and storms. This curly parsley plant is still looking great in January tucked under a mini hoop tunnel. The fresh flavor of parsley is essential in pastas, salads, and so many other dishes.
Are winter-hardy herbs a good choice for gardeners in cold climates?
For gardeners in cold climates, winter-hardy perennial herbs abound for lasting enjoyment. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe for cold-hardy herbs to grow this season and beyond. If you live in a region with a cold winter climate, plenty of wonderful herb selections overwinter in the garden for years of enjoyment.
Can herbs survive winter?
Winter doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to fresh herbs! In fact, there are several cold-hardy varieties that not only survive but thrive in chilly weather, bringing both flavor and life to your garden. Many of these herbs, like thyme and rosemary, actually develop richer flavors in the cold, adding a unique touch to your winter cooking.
What plants are good for a Winter Garden?
These lemony leaves make an excellent tea or add citrus flavor to fruit salads. Part herb part green, sorrel is a great choice for a winter garden. There are several types but the most common ones are garden sorrel, French sorrel, and red-veined sorrel. This is a hardy perennial plant often used to add a lemony tang to salads.
Can you grow herbs indoors this winter?
You can select the perfect indoor herbs to grow this winter – the ones that you use the most and love to toss into your culinary dishes for an extra punch of flavor. You don’t need a lot of indoor gardening space for herbs. A sunny windowsill can hold a few small pots, or you can hang a shelf near your window for a sunny location.
What flowers can you grow in winter?
Look for varieties like ‘Arp’, ‘Hardy Hill’, and ‘Alcalde’ for overwintering in the garden. Providing winter mulch and wind protection for plants gives the best chance for withstanding winter’s extremes. Rosemary leaves and flowers have a lemony, cypress, camphor scent and flavor.