What To Do With Herbs In Winter

Perhaps you’re new to growing herbs outdoors, or maybe you just want to follow an easy list each year on what to do with herbs in winter? Either way, we’ve provided 10 simple steps for getting your herbs Winter ready, so keep reading to learn what you should be doing to prepare your garden.

What to do with herbs in Winter

1. Give everything a thorough clean – This includes gardening equipment, glasshouse windows, pots and anything else that could use a wipe down. 
2. Add mulch/new soil to pots and raised beds – Doing this will add nutrients back into the old soil, which will help your garden grow next year.
3. Reorganise to prevent pests – If you’ve noticed a particular area in the garden where pests like to linger, now’s your chance to move things about and add copper netting/similar tools to prevent attacks next year.
4. Tidy up borders and beds – Remove weeds, moss and anything else that’s growing where it shouldn’t to keep your garden tidy and organised.
5. Plant evergreens – This will keep your garden looking lively and beautiful through the colder months, and includes perennial herbs such as Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender and Sage.
6. Move softer herbs indoors – Herbs such as Parsley, Basil and Coriander should be moved indoors (if possible) as they will struggle to survive the cold temperatures, but a sunny windowsill inside will keep them happy.
7. Shelter outdoor herbs – For the herbs that are in outdoor containers, move them under some shelter to prevent the rain from causing overwatering, as soil won’t dry as fast in Winter, and overwatering will be the most likely cause of death for your herbs this time of year. 
8. Reduce the watering of herbs grown in containers – To properly care for your herbs this time of year, check if the soil feels dry before watering, and make sure the herbs aren’t sitting in any water or damp soil. (If they are, then plan ways to improve drainage so you’ll be better prepared next year) Growing herbs outdoors at this time of year takes planning and preparation. 
9. Stop harvesting outdoor herbs – Allow the herbs time to toughen up by harvesting and storing your herbs before the first frost.
10. Protect outside herbs with a fleece – This can help to keep your herbs warm and prevent frost from settling on them, so buy a garden cover to shelter your outdoor herbs overnight, but remember to uncover them again when the sun is out, as doing so will prevent rotting.

Now you know what you need to do with herbs in Winter this year and all the years following, but if you need any further advice or gardening tips, then be sure to check out our Instagram @season_herbs or ask us directly. We’re always happy to help fellow herb lovers. Our email: hello@seasonherbs.co.uk