Bringing Herbs Indoor for the Winter

Thursday, August 26, 2021

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Hints of fall will soon be peaking through and memories of the excitement one had of growing a summer garden will soon fade. Mindsets will shift toward reviving our lawns or to removing the tomato plants where the squirrels beat us to our harvest once again. As the lawn bags begin to fill from the summer flowers that are no more there are some plants you should take a look at again. For many, including myself, those herbs in the corner are still showing life. Many of us look at them with disgust, as a sign that summer beat our garden and our pride. Though herbs are resilient and can survive into the fall and winter with a bit of love and a sunny window to view the place will once again sit in the summer.

Even before the leaves begin to fall, I encourage you to take a second look at your rosemary and thyme. I’m sure oregano and possibly the basil are still hanging on, wishing you would join them in their fight to keep going.

Why wouldn’t you? Having fresh rosemary to snip when searing a ribeye in the winter gives you a sense of pride. Rubbing fresh thyme to place into a rich gravy from braising short ribs shows dedication to the craft of cooking, or even gardening and to one’s health.

As idyllic as it sounds, though, herbs pose challenges, a balance forever moving between light and water. Every person’s situation is unique though some rules stand true for moving your herbs inside.

Splitting

When it comes to your bushier herbs, rosemary, thyme, or even oregano, if they are large, split them into small plants. The outer ring tends to do better when repotted though don’t let me stop you from planting all the pieces.

Soil

Now is time to give your plants some food. You want to grow in the best soil possible. This is not part of the plan where you want to pinch the pennies. Have a compost going, add a much as possible to each pot. The best soil for container gardening is an organic potting mix that’s peat-free. Peat is added to the soil for improved water retention though it’s not sustainable. Look for soil with coconut coir, it is a by-product of the coconut industry and far more sustainable at this point. I’ve always been a fan of Organic Mechanics blends since they are peat-free and it’s all made from completely recycled biosolids.

Pots

Picking pots for your herbs is certainly an aesthetic choice, but also one that should have your plants’ best interests in mind. The important thing with pots is just that they allow drainage and that they don’t dry out too quickly,” Glazed clay over terracotta pots. The problem with terracotta is it’s actually very porous so it pulls moisture out of the soil to the pot which means it’s pulling moisture away from your plant. With drainage holes and a saucer included, these colorful glazed pots are a nice-looking option.

Potting

Select a container large enough to accommodate each herb's root ball as well as a little room for growth. Place a layer of potting mix on the bottom of the pot, then set the herb on top of that. Fill in the spaces around the roots with more potting mix. Press the soil firmly down around the plant's roots, leaving about an inch between the soil and the rim of the pot. For smaller plants, try placing several together in a window box that fits on a sunny sill. After settling your herbs into their new containers, water until it drains out the bottom of the pot.

Acclimating

Your newly potted herbs need time to get used to receiving less light. Before fully bringing them inside, place them in an area with less light than they are used to. I typically place my on our covered front porch for a couple of weeks before moving them inside.

Sunshine

Herbs, like most plants, love sunshine. Pick a place on the south or southwest that allows your plants to get the most sunshine possible. Look out for drafts that can do more damage than good.

Watering

Turn pots once a week or so to help all sides of your plants get enough light. Water when the soil feels dry to a depth of 1 inch. Mist the leaves daily to boost the humidity level. You can also tilt the pots over the sink and gently rinse their foliage with tap water every once in a while to keep them clean and deter any pests that might show up.