Spring Tips for Over-Wintered Herbs

Small signs of new life will appear!

When spring arrives, it brings a fresh chance to revive your herb garden after months of winter rest. If you’ve kept your herbs indoors like I do or protected them through the cold season, you might wonder how to prepare them for the move back outside. Always a tricky task, as ever-changing temperatures at night play a vital role, as does safely introducing the strong sun's raze to them again.

I’ve learned that this transition is crucial for their survival, healthy growth and a bountiful herb harvest. Here I share what has worked for me and how you can help your over-wintered herbs thrive in the spring sun.

Assessing Your Herbs After Winter

My first steps are to check the condition of my herbs. After winterizing, some plants may look tired or leggy. Here’s what I do:

• Inspect the leaves and stems for any signs of disease, pests.

• Trim back dead or damaged growth to encourage new shoots. Clean up any dry, brown leaves and branches to encurage the "second" set of leaves to come through.

• Check the roots if possible, especially for potted herbs. Healthy roots are firm and white, while mushy or dark roots need attention. This will be a part of the planting process as you don't want to do this too early and shock the plant.

  
  

This assessment helps you decide which herbs are ready to go outdoors and which might need more time indoors or extra care depending on their overall health.

Gradual Acclimation to Outdoor Conditions

Herbs that spent winter inside or in sheltered spots need time to adjust to outdoor weather. Sudden exposure to sun, wind, and fluctuating temperatures can shock them. I recommend a process called “hardening off”:

• First off, make sure it is well after the last frost. I know it's tough to wait sometimes, but you'll thank me later! Trust me.

• Start by placing your herbs outside in a shaded, protected area for a few hours each day.

• Gradually increase their outdoor time and sun exposure over 7 to 10 days. Morning sun is best in the beginning as it isn't as strong and leaves with fair better.

• Bring them back indoors or under cover at night if temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).

  
  

This slow introduction helps the plants build resilience, stronger branches and reduces leaf burn or wilting.

Refreshing Soil and Fertilizing

Winterizing often means herbs were in the same soil for months, which can deplete nutrients. Before moving them outdoors, I like to:

• Replace or refresh the potting mix with a bag purchsed from a local nursery. They will be the best to guide you if you have questions on different types. You don't want to give them something too strong.

• Add compost and/or manure to garden beds where herbs will be planted early, giving it a chance to further degrade and mellow out so to speak.

• Using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can also be used if organic. However, I try to add things like egg shells and kitchen scraps to help build the soil's complexity over the summer months. *This also saves on the garden waste bin costs, lol.

  
  

Healthy soil will be the foundation for strong herbs for your growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can cause lush foliage but weak flavour, and more than you can process in the kitchen leading to waste.

Pruning and Propagating for a Strong Start

Pruning herbs is essential to encourage bushier, healthier growth.

• Cut back rosemary and thyme by about one-third. Ofcourse you can save the clippings to dry and use in the kitchen. No need to throw away!

• If you have been able to successfully over-winter basil, snip just above a leaf node to promote branching.

• The mint plant can be a tough one. I typically leave this herb in it's pot all summer long. It is known to be very invasive in a garden and can end up spreading more than you would like. I have limited use for it, except mojitos ;), but I keep it growing for my husband who uses it for more.

• Remove any woody or old stems that won’t produce new leaves. If they snap very easily, the likely-hood of it being dead and will not produce a new chute is highly likely. Cut them back just before the "alive" part.

  
  

Choosing the Right Spot Outdoors

Once your herbs are ready, pick a location that suits their needs:

• Most herbs prefer full sun (6 to 8 hours daily).

• Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

• Group herbs with similar water and light needs together.

  
  

For example, Mediterranean herbs like oregano, sage, and lavender thrive in sunny, well-drained spots, while parsley and chives can tolerate some shade. Basil and other delicate-leaf herbs prefer even more shade and can be planted inbetween tomatoes and pepper plants that will happily steal the sunshine!

Watering and Maintenance Tips for Spring

After transplanting, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. I water my herbs early in the day to reduce evaporation and fungal risks. Water just enough for the soil to be wet, so it will dry by late evening. This will let let plants use the heat of the sun to grow with the water provided to them. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and keeps weeds down and pests. Keep this in mind when the weather does start to really warm up.

Watch for pests like aphids or spider mites, which can appear as temperatures rise. Using natural remedies such as neem oil or insecticidal soap keeps your herb garden healthy without adding harsh chemicals to herbs and such you'll be eating later.

Final Thoughts

Bringing over-wintered herbs back outdoors takes patience, awareness and attention. By assessing their health, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, refreshing soil, pruning, and choosing the right spot, you set your herb garden up for success.

Hope this helps and inspires you to start early, treat your herbs with love and attention, and depending on the weather, giving them the best chance at giving you their best!