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over-wintering herbs
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Posted by LMG31 6 (My Page) on Mon, Dec 26, 11 at 23:38
this is my first post, so I apologise if it isn't in the correct forum! I would like to over-winter thyme, sage, oregano, parsley and mint. I have a couple of options, but am not sure of the best way to do it. They are in a pot that is above ground and able to be moved.
a) cover with large plastic pretzel containers and leave outside
b) put on screened-in porch and leave pot not covered
c) put on screened-in porch and cover with plastic containers as mentioned above
d) put on screened-in porch and cover with plastic sheeting
e) move into garage that doesn't get that much light
I realise that if I remove them from outside that I would have to water every now and again. I have also brought a couple of sprigs of each inside to try to let it provide a little over the winter.
I am new to this, so would appreciate any advice.
thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: over-wintering herbs
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| Your porch is unheated I am guessing? They can survive your unheated porch quite nicely if you sprinkle some water occasionally in the pot. You don't want to soak the soil, but you need to water enough to keep the soil from drying out. In the spring before everything has a chance to wake up but it is not bitter cold still, separate your plants. Plant your thyme, sage, and oregano in the ground. They survive quite nicely year-round in a well-drained garden bed. Mint is notorious for spreading and many only keep it in pots only. It too can be planted in the ground but understand it will probably spread. It too will survive your zone quite nicely. Parsley is a biennial but best treated as an annual. It will not perform for you next year. Best to plant new parsley. FataMorgana |
RE: over-wintering herbs
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- Posted by t-bird Chicago 5/6 (My Page) on
Tue, Dec 27, 11 at 9:27
| I've had good luck with getting some parsley the second year......then I let it seed.....so if you have 2nd year, and new starting at the same time, the 2nd year will come through much earlier, then go to seed as the new starts to produce. I let it pop up where it will, and then move any that aren't in a good spot. all these herbs would overwinter for you in zone 6 if in the ground.....they would in zone 5. You may even get away with them in the pot in zone 6.... I think the porch would work well as FataM suggests. |
RE: over-wintering herbs
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| As already said, everything should over-winter fine outdoors although I would prefer to have the pots buried in the ground. I also get some decent parsley the second year before it goes to seed. I think you should avoid doing anything that keeps the plants too warm. Many hardy perennial herbs need to have a winter dormancy. I would not cover with plastic of any type to avoid having them cook on a bright sunny day. |
RE: over-wintering herbs
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thanks for the tips. I am able to move them onto the porch although I can not put them underground. I could surround them with a cardboard box though I don't that will do too much to keep them warm, but maybe better than nothing! Should I really not cover them with plastic containers or put under a plastic sheeting to keep them from freezing too much. It can get in the single digits here, although it's been a mild season so far.
thanks again |
RE: over-wintering herbs
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| I grow them in the ground with no mulch or other covering and it can get below zero degrees F here. Best not to cover if they are in your porch. Covering would encourage mold growth. FataMorgana |
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