The second half of summer (yes, we’re afraid to say that that’s where we’re at…!) is a fabulous time to plant herbs.
Those that are perennials – the ones that die back in winter and regrow from the roots again in spring, like chives, marjoram and mint – have plenty of time to get their roots well established by planting them in late July/August. You’ll get a crop from them this summer too, as we still have enough weeks of long days for them to really get some growth in. Meanwhile, the evergreen herbs, like rosemary, sage and thyme, will also have plenty of time to put their roots down so that they can better weather the winter.
It is also a good time to plant some of the annuals, particularly those that are prone to bolting, like parsley and coriander. Try planting them in light shade, keep them cool by watering frequently, and they should stay nice and leafy through September and into October.
If your basil has already flowered, there’s time to plant some afresh to keep you going between now and late autumn – ideal for a windowsill or sunny porch.
