15 Herbs That Keep Growing Well into October

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Thyme

Thyme is a hardy herb that thrives in cooler weather, making it an excellent choice for fall gardens. It grows steadily throughout October, producing aromatic leaves that can be used in a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, and roasted vegetables. Its small, flavorful leaves are great for adding depth to fall meals, particularly in Mediterranean cuisine.

Thyme is a resilient herb that can withstand light frosts, making it ideal for late-season harvesting. This herb does well in full sunlight and well-drained soil. Even as temperatures drop, thyme continues to grow, allowing you to harvest its flavorful leaves into the cooler months.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a hardy herb that thrives well into the fall. Known for its fragrant, needle-like leaves and robust flavor, rosemary can endure cooler temperatures and even light frosts. It is perfect for adding flavor to roasted meats, baked goods, and Mediterranean dishes.

Rosemary’s resilience means it continues to grow through October, providing fresh sprigs for your cooking even as the weather cools. It grows best in full sun and requires well-drained soil. This herb continues to provide fresh, aromatic leaves well into the fall, making it a reliable option for autumn recipes.

Mint

Mint is a fast-growing herb that can easily survive cooler temperatures, making it an excellent choice for October gardens. Its fresh, minty leaves can be used in teas, desserts, and savory dishes, offering a refreshing taste even as the weather cools. Mint is particularly hearty and can thrive throughout the fall, growing quickly and spreading across your garden.

Regular harvesting will keep it in check, but it will continue to grow and produce fresh leaves into October. Mint can grow in both sun and partial shade, adapting well to various growing conditions. It is a versatile herb that will continue to thrive well into the cooler months of fall.

Sage

Sage is a dependable herb that continues to grow through the cooler fall months. Known for its earthy, slightly peppery flavor, sage is a popular addition to fall dishes such as stuffing, roasted meats, and soups. It can tolerate light frosts, making it a great herb to harvest throughout October.

Sage prefers full sun but can adapt to cooler temperatures, growing steadily well into the autumn season. It remains flavorful even in the colder weather, and its hearty nature means it will continue to grow and provide fresh leaves for your fall cooking.

Parsley

Parsley is an excellent herb for growing through the fall, as it can handle cooler temperatures and continues to produce fresh, green leaves throughout October. It is widely used in a variety of dishes, from garnishes to soups, adding a burst of freshness to autumn meals. Parsley thrives in rich, moist soil with partial sunlight, making it an ideal herb for the fall season.

As a biennial plant, parsley can live for up to two years, continuing to grow even as temperatures drop. Parsley is a versatile herb that remains productive throughout the fall, offering fresh leaves for use in various dishes. It is an easy herb to grow, making it an excellent choice for October harvesting.

Chives

Chives are a low-maintenance, perennial herb that thrives even as the temperatures begin to cool in October. Their mild, onion-like flavor makes them a great addition to a wide range of dishes, including soups, salads, and baked goods. Chives can be harvested continuously throughout October, and they remain productive even as the weather cools.

They tolerate light frosts and are an easy herb to grow and maintain in your garden. Chives grow best in well-drained soil and full sun, but they are adaptable to various growing conditions. With proper care, chives will continue to grow and provide fresh leaves throughout October.

Oregano

Oregano is a hardy, perennial herb that holds up well in October. Known for its robust, earthy flavor, oregano is commonly used in Mediterranean and Italian cooking, making it a favorite in fall stews, pasta sauces, and roasted vegetables. The herb continues to grow actively in cooler weather, producing fresh, flavorful leaves throughout October.

Oregano can handle light frosts, allowing you to harvest its leaves well into the fall. This herb thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. As temperatures drop, oregano remains resilient and continues to grow, providing fresh leaves for your cooking.

Tarragon

Tarragon is a sweet, anise-flavored herb that thrives through the cooler months of fall. It is perfect for use in salad dressings, sauces, and seasonings for poultry and other meats. As temperatures dip in October, tarragon continues to grow actively, offering fresh leaves well into the fall season.

The herb does well in full sun and well-drained soil, and it remains productive even as the weather cools. Tarragon is a great herb to grow during the fall months, and with proper care, it will provide flavorful leaves throughout October.

Cilantro

Cilantro is known for its fresh, citrusy flavor, and it grows well into the cooler months of October. Unlike many herbs that slow down with the fall chill, cilantro actually prefers cooler weather and remains productive as temperatures drop. It is frequently used in salsas, salads, and soups, adding a burst of freshness to fall dishes.

Cilantro grows quickly and can be harvested continuously throughout October. This herb grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in cooler temperatures, making it an ideal herb for fall gardens that need fresh herbs even as the weather cools.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a fragrant herb with a mild lemon flavor that continues to grow even as the weather turns cooler in October. It is perfect for making herbal teas, adding a refreshing note to fall dishes, or using as a garnish. Lemon balm thrives in partially shaded areas and moist, well-drained soil, making it an excellent herb to grow throughout the fall months.

It is especially loved for its calming properties and can be used to create soothing teas during the cooler autumn evenings. With its ability to withstand light frosts, lemon balm remains a productive herb throughout October. It continues to offer fresh, aromatic leaves well into the fall, making it an ideal addition to your herb garden.

Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are a hardy herb that thrives in cooler weather, making them perfect for fall gardens. The aromatic leaves add a unique depth to stews, soups, and slow-cooked dishes, which are common in the autumn season. Bay laurel trees or bushes are perennial, meaning they continue to produce fresh leaves year after year.

While bay leaves are typically harvested throughout the year, they continue to grow steadily through October. This herb requires full sun and well-drained soil to flourish. Bay trees can tolerate cooler temperatures and light frosts, allowing you to harvest fresh leaves even as the weather cools.

Fennel

Fennel is a hardy herb that thrives in cooler temperatures, making it an excellent addition to your October garden. The feathery fronds of fennel have a mild anise flavor, perfect for use in salads, fish dishes, and vegetable roasts. This herb continues to grow through fall, providing fresh fronds and seeds for culinary use.

Fennel prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, making it an adaptable option for cooler weather. Fennel grows well in rich, well-drained soil and can be harvested well into October. With its resilience to cooler temperatures, fennel remains productive even as the days shorten.

Marjoram

Marjoram is a delicate herb closely related to oregano but with a sweeter flavor. It grows well into October, offering fresh leaves that enhance fall dishes, particularly soups, stews, and poultry dishes. Marjoram prefers cooler temperatures and can thrive even after the weather begins to cool.

This herb is typically used fresh, but it can also be dried for use throughout the winter. Marjoram does best in full sun and well-drained soil. It is a hardy herb that continues to grow through the fall, providing aromatic leaves for culinary use well into October.

Arugula

Arugula is a cool-weather herb that grows well into October, providing a spicy, peppery flavor for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. It thrives in the fall as temperatures drop, producing tender, flavorful leaves. Arugula can be harvested continuously throughout October, making it a great choice for adding a fresh kick to fall meals.

It prefers cooler weather, so it will continue to grow through the month, especially in regions with mild winters. This herb grows best in well-drained soil with partial to full sunlight. It is an easy herb to grow that remains productive through October, providing fresh, flavorful leaves for your kitchen.

Lovage

Lovage is a perennial herb that grows vigorously into the cooler months, making it a great option for October harvests. With its celery-like flavor, lovage adds a unique depth to soups, stews, and stocks. This herb grows best in full sun and can tolerate cooler temperatures, continuing to produce fresh leaves through the fall.

Lovage is particularly loved for its hardy nature, making it a reliable herb for late-season harvesting. Lovage does well in rich, moist soil and can be harvested well into October. It continues to grow steadily, providing fresh leaves for your kitchen even as the weather cools.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.