What Herbs are you growing this Fall and Winter? So far, I have these Herbs growing in my Fall Garden (Central Valley, California): -- Stinging Nettle -- Dandelion -- Cilantro -- Rosemary -- Sage -- Basil -- Oregano -- Mint I expect the Basil and Oregano to die soon for sure. Last Fall-Winter my Sage survived (just barely!), both in pots and the ground. I have one Rosemary plant that is just barely hanging on. My neighbor across the street has a beautiful Rosemary plant that is growing very nicely and healthy. I've seen Rosemary plants around town that have survived all Fall and Winter. I know the Stinging Nettle, Dandelion and Cilantro will do just fine. Mint might survive. What other Herbs might grow during the Fall and Winter? These are the Zones for my area: > Climate Zone #8/14 > Hardiness Zones #8-9a
vjm, The oregano should do well in your zone. I have some that winters over here. Maybe you have a different variety. Rosemary should also do well for you year round. It grows to zone 6, I live close to Cleveland, Ohio and I have a friend who kept hers in a garage all winter long with no heat. It survived for her many years that way. I have seeds to start mine or I sometimes take cuttings to start new plants, you might want to try a new plant to see if you just have a genetically poor plant. They don't seem to be bothered by disease or insects for me,BUT have you checked closely, the stem(s) and leaves of your plant, to make sure it doesn't have scale or a mite problem. both of those insect pests will sap the life right out of a plant.
I think I might be watering the one Rosemary plant I have too much. Our neighbor has a Rosemary plant and hers is doing very well. In fact, she told me I could cut some of the stems. I took some Rosemary cuttings from another Rosemary plant about a mile from us. They might be rooting. I used RooTing Hormone (powder), which I've used before on other cuttings. I also took four Geranium cuttings from my Geranium plants, and using the RooTing Hormone powder. So far, after about two weeks, the cuttings still look viable, so maybe I'll have four more Geranium plants. I've rooted Geranium cuttings before without any Hormone powder, and usually about half of them survive to mature.
This morning is the second morning with below-freezing temperatures. I measured the garden temperature this morning between 27-31 Degrees F (-2.7 to -.5 Degrees C.). There was ice (not frost) on most of the Oregano leaves. Ice all over the car. Tomatoes are still thriving! I'm surprised, because my Tomatoes have always died in the past when the temperature drops below freezing. All my Tomatoes come up as volunteers (over 100 this year!), so maybe they are acclimatizing .... -- Jim (Central Valley, California) > Climate Zone #8/14 > Hardiness Zones #8-9a
