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September 23, 2022    

Early fall is an excellent time to plant herbs that prefer the cooler weather.
Now that the blazing heat of summer is over, there are some fall herbs that grow better in cooler weather.
The soil is still warm but less likely to dry out so it is ideal time to plant many herbs, some of which will get established over the winter.

Cilantro
Cilantro is a popular herb used in Mexican dishes. Some people love its pungent flavor, others loathe it. But if you love it, grow it this autumn as it is a quick growing herb that loves the cool weather.

Cilantro tends to bolt easily so the shorter days and cooler temperatures of autumn are an ideal time to grow these fall herbs.
It grows well whether it is in the garden, in pots or planter boxes so you can sow seeds from early to mid-autumn.  Harvest often for your Mexican or Asian dishes.
When Cilantro does go to seed, the seeds are known as coriander.  Save these, as they can be used in Chai tea or other recipes.

Parsley
This herb is another good one to grow in the fall.
Whether you grow curly or flat-leaved parsley, you’ll find yourself using it a lot to snip the leaves for soups, garnishes, marinades, salads and pasta.
Parsley is a great fall herb as it is easy to grow as it loves the cooler temperature and moist soil found in the autumn garden.

Chervil
Chervil is an annual herb to plant in the fall as it grows through the fall and winter in mild climates.
Chervil looks a lot like parsley but has a more delicate appearance with leaves that taste a bit like licorice.
It has a nice ornamental look for fall containers as well, so if you are looking for a plant to add to your fall baskets, consider Chervil.

Chives

Chives are one of the easiest and most reliable perennial herbs to grow. They’re easy to dig up, divide and replant.
Chives like the cool season as they are a cold tolerant perennial.  Grow common chives or garlic chives (A. tuberosum) that are flatter, greener and grow to 20 inches in height.

The leaves have a mild garlic flavour but the bulbs have a more intense flavour. Garlic chives are not quite as cold tolerant as common chives, as they are recommended for zones 4-9.

Mint
Mint loves cooler weather and moist soil. Mint is a spreading plant so it is best grown in pots or grown in post sunk in the ground.

One way to curtail mint is to ensure the flowers are trimmed so it is less likely to spread – it’s not foolproof but it helps.
Mint will tolerate light frost however it doesn’t like hot sun so this makes it a great herb to grow in spring and fall.  Ensure the soil is moist but don’t overwater and it will thrive.

This article was first published in the Herbal Collective Sept’2022 issue.  Get an online magazine sample here.