Fall is one of the best times to plant herbs While spring gets all the glory as prime planting season, autumn offers cooler temperatures that many herbs prefer over summer’s heat. Plus, fall-planted herbs will give you a head start on fresh flavor for cooking all winter long.
If you live in an area with mild winters, planting herbs in the fall can provide a year-round harvest. Even if you get a cold winter, you can still extend your harvest by growing herbs in pots and moving them inside for the winter.
Here are 11 of the best herbs to plant in the fall for bountiful flavor through the winter:
1. Parsley
Parsley is a cool season herb that thrives when planted in fall. The two most common types are curly leaf and Italian flat leaf parsley. Both add a fresh, herbaceous flavor to dishes.
Parsley can be planted in early fall about 6-8 weeks before your first frost date. It is hardy down to zone 4. Parsley started from seed in fall will be ready to start harvesting in about 2 months.
2. Cilantro
Cilantro, also called coriander, grows best in cool temperatures. Plant cilantro in fall about 3-4 weeks before your first frost. It will grow into a leafy rosette that can be harvested all winter in mild climates.
Once cilantro flowers and sets seed, the leaves become bitter. So allow some plants to go to seed in the fall to produce coriander spice.
3. Dill
Dill has a unique flavor perfect for fall dishes like pickles, soups, and salmon. Direct sow dill seeds in early fall, or transplant starts for a faster harvest.
Dill grown in fall will last longer into winter than dill planted in spring, which tends to bolt quickly in summer heat.
4. Chives
Chives are a cold hardy perennial herb that can be planted in late summer or early fall. Their grassy leaves add mild onion flavor to everything from salads to baked potatoes.
Once established, chives will come back year after year, growing into thick clumps. Chives also produce edible purple flowers in spring.
5. Oregano
This aromatic Mediterranean herb thrives in fall’s cooler temperatures. Oregano adds robust flavor to Italian dishes, meat, vegetables, and more.
You can plant oregano from seeds or transplants in early fall, about 8-10 weeks before your first frost date. Grow it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
6. Sage
Common garden sage and its ornamental varieties are excellent fall herbs. Their fragrant, velvety leaves hold up well in slow cooked fall dishes.
Sage thrives in full sun and moderately fertile soil. Start plants from seeds or transplants in early fall. Prune back sage plants in late fall to encourage new growth.
7. Thyme
Thyme is a classic fall herb that loves cooler weather. Its minty, lemony flavorpairs perfectly with meats, vegetables, and eggs.
English thyme and lemon thyme are great culinary varieties. Plant thyme in early fall in a sunny spot with average to poor soil that drains well.
8. Rosemary
Rosemary is a woody perennial herb with needle-like leaves and a piney, lemony flavor. It makes an excellent addition to fall dishes like roast chicken and root vegetables.
Plant rosemary in early fall in hot climates for best results. Water regularly as it establishes. Then let the soil dry out between waterings. Bring potted rosemary plants inside for winter.
9. Lavender
Lavender’s sweet floral flavor and aromatic leaves make it a lovely addition to fall baked goods, herbal teas, and more.
Plant lavender in early fall in full sun and well-drained soil. Don’t overwater. Trim plants after flowering to encourage bushy growth. Mulch for winter protection in cold climates.
10. Mint
Mint thrives in cool fall weather, making it a great herb for planting in autumn. Its rampant growth is easily controlled when planted in containers.
Spearmint and peppermint are popular culinary varieties. Plant mint in fall from nursery starts or root cuttings for quicker harvests. Keep soil moist. Harvest leaves before flowers appear.
11. Chervil
Sometimes called “French parsley,” chervil has a delicate, anise-like flavor. It grows quickly in cool fall weather but bolts easily in summer heat.
Direct sow chervil every 2-3 weeks in fall for a continuous harvest into winter. Its lacy leaves add lovely texture and flavor to fall dishes.
Tips for Growing Herbs in Fall
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Plant 6-8 weeks before your first frost for best results
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Make sure herbs get at least 6 hours of sun per day
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Plant in well-draining soil enriched with compost
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Water regularly until plants are established
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Harvest leaves often to encourage new growth
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Mulch herbs in winter for protection in cold climates
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Bring container plants inside over winter
Enjoy an Abundant Herb Harvest
Fall is the perfect time to plant hardy, flavorful herbs like parsley, sage, thyme and more. With the right varieties chosen for your zone, you can harvest fresh herbs throughout autumn and winter.
Extend your enjoyment of homegrown flavor by freezing or drying herbs to use when fresh ones are not available. Herbs also make thoughtful gifts for fellow cooks.
So take advantage of the ideal cool conditions this fall and plant up a patch of delicious, aromatic herbs. They will provide a bounty of leaves and seeds for savoring all season long.
Plant chives for loads of fall herb harvests
Chives are a fantastic plant to grow if you want to try your hand at gardening, especially if you haven’t had much success yet. With just a little bit of tending, you’ll be able to grow way more chives than you could ever think of using. It was my early success with chives in a pot that whet my appetite for growing my own fresh food in a simple way. My chives die back in the winter, but gardeners in milder climates can grow them year round.
One benefit of having chives regrow after winter is the amount of gorgeous purple blossoms youll get. Here are my recommendations for how to grow chives and what to do with your chive blossoms.
Plant lots of thyme in your fall garden
Thyme is an herb in the Lamiaceae plant family, which tends to do well most seasons of the year in the kitchen garden, including far into the cooler months. It grows quickly, and the stems, with their tiny gray-green leaves, look lovely draped over the corner of an herb garden or raised bed. Find out everything you need to know about thyme.
10 Herbs You Can Grow in Autumn | Best Fall Herbs
FAQ
Is it okay to plant herbs in the fall?
While spring is the traditional planting season for many garden plants, late summer and fall are also prime planting times for trees, shrubs, perennials, and herbs. Yes herbs! There are many herbs to plant in fall — annuals, biennials, and perennials.
What are the best herbs to plant in autumn?
… to plant tasty herbs like coriander, garlic bulbs, marjoram, oregano, parsley, thyme, tarragon, lemongrass, mint, rosemary, shallots and native river mint
Is September too late to plant herbs?
Warm Season Plants for September
This is your time to grow vining tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs galore—basically, many of the plants people think of when they picture a kitchen garden.
What herbs are good for fall?
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Chives
- Parsley
- Sage
- Thyme