Winter Herbs

Recently I had lamented that a dish would have been just that much better with the addition of some fresh Italian parsley. One of my readers, Rosie Hawthorne, who is blessed to live in a mild climate wondered why I just didn't grow my parsley in a protected South-facing location. Rosie, I hope that this post will answer your questions about my winter herbs.

This is what is left of my basil, Italian parsley and oregano. If I am lucky, the oregano will survive the winter.

This pot contains my thyme, chives and another oregano plant. I had to replace the oregano last spring as the original plant had died. The thyme and chives are several years old.

More Italian parsley grew in the middle pot.


As you can see, the pots sit next to the south side of the house near a protected corner. This is the best that I can do with the outside plants. I can plant my peppers and tomatoes earlier in pots on the deck than I could in the ground as this is a more protected area. They also last longer in the fall until it gets too cold.

Since bay plants cost so much, I brought this pot in (which also contains sage). Unfortunately, the plants don't get enough sun inside and I have difficulty getting them enough water.

The rosemary's new growth is spindly, indicating that it is not getting enough light. This is also another plant that requires a lot of water. Both pots are sitting in front of an east-facing door in a room that also has several south-facing windows.

All I can do is to hope to keep these alive until they can go back out on the deck in the spring.

Maybe I should consider getting a small portable greenhouse for my herbs.

I broke down and bought a bunch of Italian Flat Parsley for $1.49 at my regular grocery store. I placed them in water and put them in the fridge to keep the leaves fresh.

Look at the tag in the picture: now I know why Sandra Lee insists upon calling the stuff 'Flat Parsley', as if her fat aunt Bertha had sat on the plant, thus flattening it.