Protecting herbs in winter

[Normans Mum]

Can I ask what others do to protect their herbs come winter time ? Mine are all in a bed, quite close together and I just wondered whether I should use horti fleece to cover them when temperatures really start to drop.
Thanks !

[muck lover]

I have a few parsley and some chive plants in polytunnel where they are really happy. Chives will fade away but a lot later than the outside ones.
Rosemary and sage outside are fine without anything but they are on an extremely well drained spot. After a couple of weeks of snow last spring the rosemary tips browned a bit but it’s ok now.

[veggiechicken]

Depends on what herbs they are! I don't protect mine.

[SarrissUK]

I have thyme that keeps well over winter, and my old rosemary has been in the same pot for 12 years now and have survived quite a few nasty winters. Basil won't last once the cold comes, but parsley seem to keep going if it's in a sheltered spot. I imagine coriander wouldn't do well either, but I've never tried to overwinter that. Mint survives anything.

[happyhumph]

The only one I bother protecting is french tarragon - I put the pots in the GH as they don't grow well from seed and aren't hardy. I've done parsley in the GH in the past and it just keeps going...

[Mark_Riga]

The beast from the east killed off my thyme this spring but some rosemary nearby was covered in weeds and survived. A fleece on both would not have gone amiss then. I think most herbs can stand an occasional frost but don't like a prolonged freeze.

[Bren In Pots]

If we are expecting heavy snow I put my pot grown Bay tree in the GH only because I lost one a few winters ago.

[Small pumpkin]

My more delicate herbs are in pots so I just move them to the tunnel for winter. Everything else has to fend for itself.

[veggiechicken]

If its in the ground
It must be sound
If its a pot,
Its probably not.

(Source:Page 3 of the VC book of useless rhymes)

[SarrissUK]

If its in the ground
It must be sound
If its a pot,
Its probably not.

(Source:Page 3 of the VC book of useless rhymes)

I'd go so far to say that it's a pretty useful rhyme!

[Ocelot]

Scented pelargoniums, African Blue Basil, lemon grass, Aloe Vera and Tagetes Lucida in the house, Myrtles, most of the Prostantheras, Lemon verbena and Cedronella (all in pots) in the GH, rest outside.

[veggiechicken]

You're easily convinced, Sarriss
How about

Herbs in December
Where leaves are seen,
Are not deciduous
But evergreen.

(Page 4 of VC's Useless rhyme book)

[Normans Mum]

Thanks guys n gals.
I will see how they fare.
I have lavender, sages, rosemary and French tarragon. Chamomile and curry plant, chives and thymes....guess if it gets really frosty I will cover them up.
Interesting to read what you all do.

[Ocelot]

Thanks guys n gals.
I will see how they fare.
I have lavender, sages, rosemary and French tarragon. Chamomile and curry plant, chives and thymes....guess if it gets really frosty I will cover them up.
Interesting to read what you all do.

Unless the lavenders or thyme are tender varieties, they should all be fine, even in pots, although French tarragon is a little more tender.

[Mark_Riga]

I'm just going out to bring my French tarragon in now.