As Autumn unfurls its cool embrace it’s the perfect time to pivot your garden’s focus towards herbs that thrive in cooler temperatures. Gardening is not a chore; it’s a journey of nurturing and growth, both for the plants and the gardener. This blog post will guide you through preparing your herb garden for the upcoming winter months and introduce three herbs that are best planted in April for our local South Australian climate
Preparing Your Herb Garden for Winter
Before we dive into the herbs ideal for this season, let’s discuss how to prepare your garden for the cooler months ahead. Autumn is a time of transition, and your garden requires some care to ensure it remains a thriving haven for your herbs:
1. Clean Up: Remove any spent summer crops and weeds to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in your garden.
2. Soil Care: Enrich your soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Autumn is the perfect time to improve soil fertility and structure, ensuring your new herbs have the best start.
3. Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature during the cooler months.
With your garden prepped, let’s explore the three herbs that will not only survive but flourish during the autumn months.
1. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
• Why Plant Now: Parsley, a biennial herb, thrives in cooler temperatures. Planting in autumn allows it to establish itself before the winter chill sets in. Come spring, you’ll have lush, vibrant parsley ready for harvest.• Care Tips: Choose a sunny to part-shade spot and ensure the soil is well-draining. Parsley can take up to three weeks to germinate, so patience is key. Keep the soil moist, and you’ll be rewarded with a steady supply of this versatile herb.
2. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
• Why Plant Now: Coriander prefers cooler weather and shorter days. Autumn planting helps avoid the quick bolting to seed that often happens in the warmer months.
• Care Tips: Sow coriander seeds directly where they are to grow as they dislike being transplanted. However, seedlings are readily available and I’ve always planted mine from seedlings to get a seasonal head start. Ensure regular watering, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil slightly moist.
3. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
• Why Plant Now: Chives are hardy and can handle pretty much any winter climate. Planting now gives them enough time to establish a strong root system before the cold weather.• Care Tips: Plant chives in a sunny location in well-draining soil. They are low-maintenance but ensure to remove any flowers to encourage more leaf growth.
Imagine stepping out into your garden, wrapped in the crisp Autumn air, and being greeted by the sight of your thriving herbs. Not only do these herbs add fresh flavours to your dishes, but they allow you to maximise productivity during the cool months once the summer harvest is long gone.
Herbs are always a great addition to your garden, personally I hate having to buy herbs since many grow as perennials and keep me in a fresh abundant supply all year round.
What herbs have you had success with in the cooler months? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
