| Preparing Your Herb Garden for Winter in the UK A practical guide for keeping herbs healthy, resilient, and ready for spring Herb gardens have a certain charm in summer — fragrant leaves, vibrant growth, and generous harvests. But as the season slides into colder weather, herbs benefit from a little thoughtful preparation. Winter in the UK can be unpredictable: mild one week, frosty the next. A few simple steps in autumn can help your herbs survive the chill and return strongly in spring. |
| Know Your Herbs Before You Start Different herbs behave differently in winter. Before cutting or mulching anything, it helps to understand which herbs fall into three key groups: |
| 1. Tender Annual Herbs These herbs dislike cold and won’t survive a frost: Basil Coriander (when treated as an annual) Dill These complete their life cycle in one season. Once they start to fade in late autumn, they can be harvested, cleared away, and composted. 2. Hardy Perennial Herbs Perennial herbs return year after year and usually cope well with British winters: Chives Mint Oregano/Marjoram Lemon Balm Tarragon (French tarragon dies back naturally) These typically die back to the ground but regrow from their roots. They appreciate a gentle tidy-up and a bit of winter protection. 3. Woody Mediterranean Herbs These evergreen herbs prefer drier, sunnier winter conditions and can struggle in cold, wet soil: Rosemary Thyme Sage Lavender (grown as a herb by many) They keep their leaves and don’t like being pruned hard in late autumn. |
| What to Cut Back — and What to Leave Winter preparation is as much about not cutting as it is about pruning. Safe to Cut Back Soft perennial herbs that die back naturally (mint, chives, lemon balm).Cut to around 5–10 cm from the soil. Remove dead or yellowing stems. This helps tidy the bed and reduces hiding spots for slugs. Spent annual herbs (basil, dill, coriander).Harvest remaining leaves or seeds. Remove plants entirely and compost. Avoid Heavy Pruning Woody herbs should not be cut back into their older, woody stems this late in the year.Late-season pruning can trigger new growth that is vulnerable to frost. If needed, remove only straggly or wind-damaged shoots. Save any shaping or hard pruning for spring, once growth resumes. |
| Mulch, Shelter & Winter Protection Even hardy herbs benefit from a bit of insulation when temperatures dip. Mulching Apply a light mulch around the base of: chives tarragon oregano mint lemon balm Leaf mould, finely shredded bark, or compost works well. Keep mulch away from the central crown of woody herbs to prevent rot. Wind Protection Some herbs, especially rosemary and bay, dislike cold winter winds. A sheltered spot or windbreak (even a temporary garden screen) can make a big difference. Raised Beds & Gravel Mediterranean herbs prefer: free-draining soil slightly dry conditions extra drainage in winter A collar of horticultural grit around the base helps keep stems dry and reduces the risk of rot. |
| Herbs in Pots — Special Considerations Potted herbs feel the cold more quickly than those in the ground. Tips for potted herbs: Move pots against a warm wall or into a sheltered corner. Raise pots slightly off the ground using feet or bricks. Wrap terracotta pots in fleece or hessian to prevent cracking. Avoid overwatering — cold, wet compost is the leading cause of winter losses. Tender herbs in pots (especially basil) are best moved indoors before the first frost. |
| Common Winter Prep Mistakes A few well-intended habits can accidentally cause harm: Cutting woody herbs back too hard Leaving pots sitting in saucers of water Mulching tightly around evergreen herbs Assuming all herbs need the same treatment Overprotecting herbs that prefer drier conditions A little restraint goes a long way. |
| Looking Ahead to Spring By the time spring arrives, most herbs that were lightly tidied and protected in autumn will be ready to burst back into growth. Early spring is the ideal time for: dividing chives, mint, and lemon balm reshaping rosemary, sage, and thyme refreshing pots with new compost sowing tender annuals like basil and coriander With good winter preparation, your herb garden will start the year healthier, stronger, and full of flavour. |
Earthly Comforts 
Very interesting and informative.
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Thanks Michael.
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You’re welcome.
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