Harvest fresh herbs in winter? This is actually possible with some herbs. Introducing 15 hardy herbs.
If you want to enrich your menu with he althy, fresh herbs in winter and want to use your own harvest, you need hardy herbs. However, the choice is limited. Many herbs come from southern regions and cannot cope with the climate in our latitudes. Nevertheless, the table can be richly set with local herbs all year round. It is important to distinguish between plants that can be harvested all year round or that retreat into the ground in winter and only sprout again in spring.
Hardy herbs that can be harvested all year round
The following plants are wintergreen and can therefore be harvested fresh at any time:
Thyme (Thymus) - © Madeleine Steinbach / stock.adobe.com
Sage (Salvia) - © Josie Elias / stock.adobe.com
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) - © Mira Drozdowski / stock.adobe.com
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - © nieriss / stock.adobe.com
Curry herb (Helichrysum italicum) - © Ralf / stock.adobe.com
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) - © eliasbilly / stock.adobe.com
Thyme
Thyme actually comes from the Mediterranean cuisine. However, many varieties do well in our climate. The flowering period is in July and August. The fresh leaves can also be harvested in winter.
| Thyme (Thymus) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 10 - 40 cm |
| Flower color: | pink |
| Flowering: | Summer |
| Harvest time: | in summer before flowering, in winter always |
| Flavour: | bitter, light citrus aroma |
| Usage: | Mediterranean cuisine, cough medicine |
sage
Sage is not only a popular kitchen herb, but also has a permanent place in naturopathy. An infusion helps with coughs and colds. With the exception of a few tropical species, sage can overwinter in the garden bed without any problems.
| Sage (Salvia) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 40 - 80 cm |
| Flower color: | violet |
| Flowering: | May to August |
| Harvest time: | September to April |
| Flavour: | bitter |
| Usage: | Meat, Game, Pasta, Cough Medicine |
Rosemary
With rosemary, distinctions must be made. Only certain varieties are hardy, including “Blue Winter” or “Veitshöchheimer Rosmarin”. In mild regions, the wintering of the Mediterranean herb should be successful. As a precaution, winter protection from leaves or brushwood can be used.
| Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 30 - 120 cm |
| Flower color: | bluish |
| Flowering: | August to September |
| Harvest time: | May to October, single shoots in winter |
| Flavour: | hearty, spicy |
| Usage: | Potato dishes, Game |
Lavender
Since lavender also grows at higher altitudes in the Mediterranean region, overwintering is possible. Some species tolerate temperatures down to - 15 degrees. We recommend planting in a sheltered location.
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 10 - 40 cm |
| Flower color: | white to violet |
| Flowering: | June to September |
| Harvest time: | if flowers visible until May |
| Flavour: | spicy |
| Usage: | hearty dishes, room fragrance, essential oil |
Curry herb
The curry herb is also one of the robust Mediterranean herbs thatsurvive the winter outdoors. Winter protection is recommended in severe frosts.
| Curry herb (Helichrysum italicum) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 20 - 60 cm |
| Flower color: | yellow |
| Flowering: | June to September |
| Harvest time: | all year round |
| Flavour: | typical curry flavor |
| Usage: | Chicken, rice dishes, Asian cuisine |
Oregano
There are also some robust varieties of oregano that can be kept well outside over the winter. This includes “Thumbles”. Winter protection is advisable in areas with a harsh climate.
| Oregano (Origanum vulgare) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 30 - 50 cm |
| Flower color: | pink |
| Flowering: | July to September |
| Harvest time: | during flowering, in winter |
| Flavour: | spicy with notes of wood |
| Usage: | Mediterranean cuisine, Pizza, Pasta |
Winter Hardy Herbs
Some herbs are hardy but retreat into the ground in winter. You have to say goodbye to these herbs in autumn. The above-ground parts of the plant are no longer visible in winter. In spring, the plants will reliably sprout again. However, harvesting over the winter is not possible.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) - © MarkusL / stock.adobe.com
Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) - © Birgit Kutzera / stock.adobe.com
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) - © Fineblick / stock.adobe.com
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) - © juefraphoto - Fotolia.com
Mint (Mentha) - © ArtursGraudins / stock.adobe.com
Valerian(Valeriana) - © Andrea Geiss - Fotolia.com
Common nettle (Urtica) - © orestligetka / stock.adobe.com
Bloodroot (Potentilla erecta) - © angloma / stock.adobe.com
Comfrey (Symphytum) - © Ruud Morijn / stock.adobe.com
Chives
Chives can withstand even low temperatures without protection. The plant should be watered on frost-free days. In autumn the herb is cut back to the ground.
| Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 10 - 50 cm |
| Flower color: | pink, violet |
| Flowering: | Summer |
| Harvest time: | before flowering |
| Flavour: | hot, onion-like |
| Usage: | Potatoes, Quark, Salad |
wild garlic
Wild garlic is one of the early bloomers and has a fairly short vegetation period. The taste of the green leaves is reminiscent of garlic and should not be confused with the poisonous lily of the valley.
| Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 10 - 20 cm |
| Flower color: | white |
| Flowering: | April to May |
| Harvest time: | before flowering |
| Flavour: | slight heat, garlic-like |
| Usage: | Quark, salad, sauces, pesto |
tarragon
The Russian tarragon proves to be very hardy. French tarragon is more sensitive and cannot do without winter protection. The young leaves and shoots should be used as a kitchen herb.
| Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 50 - 150 cm |
| Flower color: | yellowish |
| Flowering: | May to June |
| Harvest time: | July to April, not during flowering |
| Flavour: | spicy |
| Usage: | Soups, Quark, Salad |
lovage
Lovage is particularly robust and can withstand severe frosts,without needing winter protection. Watering is advisable on frost-free days. Fresh budding starts in May.
| Lovage (Levisticum officinale) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 100 - 250 cm |
| Flower color: | yellow |
| Flowering: | July to August |
| Harvest time: | May to September |
| Flavour: | spicy, strong |
| Usage: | Soups, Potatoes, Sauces |
Mint
Not all mints survive the winter outdoors. Peppermint overwinters without any problems. The rhizomes stay in the ground and sprout again in spring. The peppermint can multiply strongly.
| Mint (Mentha) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 30 - 120 cm |
| Flower color: | white |
| Flowering: | June to August |
| Harvest time: | May to September |
| Flavour: | fresh, minty, like chewing gum |
| Usage: | Tea, drinks, desserts, soups, sauces |
Valerian
Valerian is known as one of the oldest medicinal plants. The dried roots are the
ingredient in a calming and sleep-inducing tea.
| Valerian (Valeriana) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 50 - 150 cm |
| Flower color: | white to pink |
| Flowering: | May to August |
| Harvest time: | all year after budding |
| Flavour: | delicately bitter |
| Usage: | Remedies, Yoghurt, Fruit Salad, Desserts |
Stinging nettle
The young nettle leaves have found their way back into the modern kitchen. For centuries, the plant has been known as a remedy for rheumatism or urinary tract infections.
| Stinging nettle (Urtica) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 50 - 100 cm |
| Flower color: | greenish to brownish |
| Flowering: | July to September |
| Harvest time: | Leaves in Spring, Herbs in Midsummer, Roots in Winter |
| Flavour: | slightly nutty |
| Usage: | Remedies, Soups, Sauces |
Bloodroot
Bloodroot is easy to cultivate and especially in southern Germany as ahigh-percentage digestive elixir known. The rhizome contains a red dye. Bloodroot has antioxidant properties and helps with inflammation.
| Bloodroot (Potentilla erecta) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 10 - 40 cm |
| Flower color: | yellow |
| Flowering: | May to September |
| Harvest time: | Autumn (Roots) |
| Flavour: | spicy |
| Usage: | Liqueur |
Comfrey
Comfrey can be used in many ways. The wound-healing effect has been known for centuries. Compresses can be applied to sprains and strains. The buds of the plant can be prepared as a vegetable.
| Comfrey (Symphytum) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 30 - 60 cm |
| Flower color: | violet |
| Flowering: | May to September |
| Harvest time: | April to October (young leaves) |
| Flavour: | sweet |
| Usage: | Compresses for joint and muscle pain, vegetables, soups, salads |