An herb garden is one of the pleasures a gardener can have from spring to summer, and even early autumn. Herbs are generally hardy plants. But they can also be affected by the change of seasons, especially wintertime. Besides drying our herbs when they are most abundant, here are some tips to help you have great herbs and growing them all year round.

The knowledge of herbs and growing them requires familiarity with different types of herbs and their life cycle. Annuals are herbs that grow one season and then die. These herbs must be replanted during springtime. Examples are anise, basil, and coriander. Perennials are herbs that grow during the spring and summer and then die, and then bloom again in the next spring. Chives, marjoram and mint are examples of perennial herbs. Parsley is a biennial herb. It grows in the first season, blooms the next, and then dies. Knowing the type of the herbs that you choose to plant is one of the most crucial things that an herb gardener must pay attention to. Protect your perennial herbs by mulching and covering with straw to protect the shallow roots. Do not remove the mulch until you see signs of growth in the spring. Doing this will protect your herbs from damage during the winter months. Also, wisely designing your garden during the warmer months can benefit and protect your plants during the late fall and winter. You must plant herbs with larger shrubs or narrow trees, so that they do not disappear during the winter.

There is no problem in keeping herbs and growing them indoors during late fall and winter, as long as the plants' needs are taken cared of. Growing herbs indoors require that you pay attention to the soil fertility and the moisture. Herbs grow best in semi-dry soil. You must pay special attention to the drainage, especially if you grow your herbs in flower boxes or other containers. This is one of the mistakes that beginners make in tending their indoor gardens, especially in the winter. Make sure that the soil is not too dry either, as the plants will not be able to go deeper into the soil, if you use shallow boxes for planting or propagating your herbs. Also, it helps if you keep your plants near windows where they can get most sunlight time. At least 12 hours of sunlight is needed, so you might consider a growing plant lamp to simulate sunlight if the sunlight in your area is not enough during winter. Keep watch of the temperature, as most herbs grow best in cool to average room temperatures.

Keeping herbs and growing them in your garden all year round is a true delight, especially in the winter. There is nothing that can compare to having fresh rosemary or basil for your food, or being able to have a hot cup of fresh mint infusion on freezing winter nights. There is no reason for you to deprive yourself of a good herb garden throughout the seasons, as long as you put your efforts to it. When spring comes, the herbs that you have planted in your boxes can easily be transplanted back into the garden. Knowing these things will make you appreciate herbs and growing them will be easy no matter what season.