Autumn is the perfect time to plant herbs – especially perennial and biennial varieties. The weather is cooler and wetter and it’s often too late for flowering so the plants will devote their energy into growing and expanding their root systems before winter sets in.
Perennial Herbs planted in the autumn will burst into life in early spring, giving you a head start on the same varieties planted in the new year. This means you can harvest them sooner and for longer.
Our 9cm potted herbs are ready to plant outside now, in your herb bed or in pots and containers.
Top tips for planting, harvesting and caring for Herbs in the Autumn
1. Choose larger 9cm potted plants over plug plants. These have well established root systems and will quickly establish in the warm soil.
2. Make sure your soil is free draining – very few herbs like to sit in water and may not survive a very wet winter in heavy soil. Add plenty of grit and compost in clay soil to improve the structure and aid drainage
3. Keep an eye on watering. It can still be very warm in the autumn and pots can dry out quickly. Water if the soil looks dry or leaves start to wilt.
4. Give your herbs a good feed every few weeks. Many herb varieties are pretty self-sufficient, but they’ll all appreciate a bit of extra nourishment from time to time. Especially those planted in pots and containers. A good seaweed or tomato fertiliser is ideal.
5. Watch out for pests and diseases. In theory the weather should be cooler and pest attacks will diminish, however with increasingly warm autumns this might not always be the case. Be on the lookout for late caterpillars (especially Cabbage Whites) and aphids. Deal with them as you would normally (organically or not – it’s up to you). In humid, wet conditions mildew and mould may start to appear on the leafier varieties so watch out for botches and leaf discolouration.
6. Don’t be afraid to plant annuals as well. Herbs such as basil and coriander will still thrive in autumn especially in a warm greenhouse or on a kitchen windowsill.
7. Autumn is the time to harvest the seed of many varieties, so let them develop and collect when ready. Alternatively, leave the seed heads for the birds and as shelter for beneficial insects. Varieties which self-seed will merrily do so at this time of year too!
8. Cut back foliage and save the leaves for drying and using in your autumn dishes. This stops leaf production and encourages the plants to hunker down for the winter and concentrate on developing their root systems.
The best autumn planting perennial herbs:
Thyme
Sage
Hyssop
Rosemary
Mint
Tarragon
Chive
Oregano
Cardoon
Lavender
Annuals and Biennials to plant in the autumn
Basil
Coriander
Parsley
Fennel
Dill
Marigold
