Herbs You Can't Grow in Summer

Curly Parsley

• Curly parsley is part of the carrot family, and is an herb that is used mainly as a garnish. It is native to the Mediterranean region of the world, and is best grown in the fall, as it doesn't thrive well in extremely warm temperatures, but will also die during extreme cold. Parsley needs well-drained soil and full sun to grow, although the plant will grow in slight shade as well. If you're growing parsley indoors and transplanting it to the garden, it's best to start the seeds in the latter part of winter, and place the plant in the yard after the last spring frost date has passed.

Cilantro

• Cilantro is an annual herb that will bolt in hot weather, so it's not suitable for summer growth. It thrives best in full sun, but cool weather conditions are most effective for growing the herb. Cilantro can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees F, and is ready to pick and eat 40 to 60 days after it's planted. It takes between 7 and 10 days for cilantro seeds to germinate once they're planted; the herb should be planted in rows that are about 12 inches apart.

Fennel

• Fennel is an ideal cool weather herb that has attractive yellow flowers and a licoricelike scent and taste. Fennel should be grown in soil that holds moisture well, and can withstand a light frost. If the garden experiences a harsh freeze, the fennel may die off and start to reappear when temperatures warm back up. The herb should be harvested when the bulb base is about 2 or 3 inches in diameter; the entire plant, including the bulbs, leaves, seeds and stalks, is fit for human consumption.

Sorrel

• Sorrel is an herb with a lemony, sharp taste that makes it a delicious addition to salads and soups, although the intensity of the herb is lessened after cooking it. Nutrient-rich and moist soil is best for growing sorrel, and the herb thrives best during the cooler months of the year. The plant can be started indoors about three weeks before the last frost of the year. The bright green leaves of the sorrel plant are accented with red flowers; removing the flowers can promote more abundant growth. This cool-weather herb is sometimes eaten by snails; surrounding the plants with crushed eggshells will keep the pests away.