Why We Should All Grow Herbs Year-Round + What’s In Season Now

Herbs are useful year–round. From mint, to rosemary, to basil, there’s always at least a few herbs you can grow successfully. Everyone, no matter the season or space can grow herbs and enjoy the “I Grew That” feeling. They are easy, beautiful and the perfect home accessory, inside and out. We associate seasons with flavors, colors and traditions. Fall brings visions of rosemary, sage, and thyme, while holiday always seems to have mints in full force. But what herbs are actually in season and when?

Here’s a guide to the seasonality of herbs: what variety grows best when and how to have a flourishing herb garden year–round.

For Outdoor Herb Gardens

The easiest way to sort herbs is by cool weather and warm weather growers. Cool-weather growers grow best from September through February, while warm-weather growers thrive from February through September. This will let you know approximately when an herb variety is going to grow most successfully outdoors.

Every climate is different and presents different seasons.

If you are in a year-round warm climate your options are a little more diverse than if you have snow for several months every year. But outdoor herb gardens for most of us are possible for at least 7 months of every year. And if your herb garden is in a container, you can move it out of harms way when necessary.

COOL-WEATHER HERBS

• Chives
• Mint
• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Rosemary

WARM WEATHER HERBS

• Basil
• Oregano
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Mint
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Lavender

You might notice that most herbs prefer the warm weather, and most cool-weather growers can also grow in warm weather. So vary your garden accordingly! You might want to grow Lavender in the summer and swap it out for mint in the winter, etc.

There’s always a way to be growing outdoors. Be mindful that, regardless of the outdoor temperature, most herbs still prefer full sun. Whatever you choose, check out that specific variety’s growing needs — sun, temperature, etc — before planting.

For Indoor Herb Gardens

Say you want a warm-weather grower in the winter. Just grow it indoors! The good news is that herbs are very amiable to growing inside. With a lot of light and careful watering they will bring tabletop decor and flavor to your season.

When planting herbs indoors, the timing doesn’t really matter. We suggest you choose herbs that appeal to you during that season — specifically in the kitchen. Seasonal food favorites are a huge influence on why we choose what to grow indoors. For example: lavender for spring desserts, mint for hot holiday drinks, rosemary for warm November meals…

It’s all about what you want! The beauty of herb gardens is that they’re successful year–round, so find what you love and make it happen. A few of our favorite reasons to keep growing herbs around –

No boring dinners, lots of “I grew that” moments, good for you, they look good, they help relieve stress, they can make beautiful centerpieces, they smell great, and best of all they are a wonderful way to practice growing gratitude.

After you have chosen your herbs you want to begin growing. Check out these exciting things to do with herbs.