Fresh herbs in winter

Discussion in 'Herb Gardening' started by marlingardener, Oct 1, 2019.

  1. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    I've never had much luck with windowsill herbs, but do admire those of you who can manage it!
    I'm lifting and splitting herbs for winter use. The smaller ones will go into 1 gal. pots, the larger ones into 3 gal. pots and all will overwinter in the barn. I usually lose the basil after the first hard frost, and my parsley is winding down, mostly because of the overly warm weather we've been having.
    How do you overwinter herbs? Any tricks or tips to help me get better at windowsill herb gardening (Oregano, marjoram, sage)?
     
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  3. Islandlife

    Islandlife Young Pine

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    I've never had any luck with winter herbs but that is mostly cause I don't really have available windowsills. I can leave chives, thyme(s), mint, oregano, rosemary, sage in the garden year 'round. Basil never makes it here (Vancouver Island, BC and I'm close to the coast) over winter but our grocery stores sell them in pots year 'round.
     
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  4. Gail-Steman

    Gail-Steman Young Pine

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  5. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Gail, yes that link is helpful. I had the privilege of meeting Parsons at a horticultural conference, and found him very knowledgeable without being a "know-it-all". Thank you for the reminder!
     
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  6. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    I too have never had much success growing herbs indoors during the winter:. too little light and too much dryness in the air. They get parched and leggy and then they bite the dust.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2019
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  7. Gail-Steman

    Gail-Steman Young Pine

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    Jane glad it's of help to you and yes i can chat better with people who aren't "know-it-alls"
     
  8. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    This just might work! I brought in small starts of thyme, sage, and parsley for kitchen window sill plants. They have been in for three weeks and haven't shown any signs of giving up the ghost. The mother plants are in the barn, protected from wind and severe cold, so I may not need my little ones inside but if I do, I think I'll be able to harvest fresh herbs in winter!
     
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  9. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Let us know if it works MG
     
  10. Emduff

    Emduff New Seed

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    I have had success with chives and green onions, but my basil dies quickly. Thyme sometimes survives for me but I don’t use much of it be because it doesn’t grow back until spring.
     
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  11. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Emduff, I hadn't thought of trying chives on the windowsill--good idea!
    I took cuttings of my basil and rooted them, then brought two in for the windowsill. They seem to be doing pretty well. The summer basil was sheltered in the barn, but the last cold snap killed it. Oh well, basil is an annual, anyway.
     

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