Planting Times for Herbs

Annual Herbs

• Frost kills annual herbs, so don't plant herbs such as basil, cardamon, cilantro and dill outside until the danger of frost has passed where you live. Start seeds of annual herbs indoors and plant seedlings outside after January 30 in Zones 9 and 10; after February 28 in Zone 8; after March 30 in Zones 5, 6 and 7; after May 1 in Zones 2, 3 and 4 and after June 1 in Zone 1.

Perennial Herbs

• Most perennial herbs survive the winter and return the following spring without being replanted. Plant perennial herbs such as chives, lavender, sage, thyme and tarragon in spring or fall. In Zones 1 through 7, mulch plants with a 2-inch layer of straw or shredded bark in late fall to improve their chances of winter survival.

Indoor Herbs

• Herb plants grown indoors need at least four hours of bright sunlight and may also require a supplemental light source. Start seeds indoors near a window with bright southern exposure in late April or May, when days lengthen and skies are clear. If plants drop leaves or grow slowly, supplement their daylight exposure with a fluorescent or halogen grow light.

Planting Tips

• If you start seedlings indoors, let plants adjust to cool outdoor weather before you plant them in the ground. Move the seedlings outside for a few hours each day, increasing the time they spend outdoors over the course of a week. Plant them in the ground only after they have spent a night or two outside.