South Florida gardeners are fortunate in the range of herbs that they can grow year-round. Fresh and tasty, herbs add flavor and zest to any cuisine. Dozens of culinary herbs will flourish in South Florida, even in the winter, due to the mild climate. Some will also grow during the summer months, provided they have some shade to protect them from the intense summer sun.
Winter Herbs
There are 5 basic herbs that can be planted in autumn and harvested during the winter months.
Chives
The perennial will grow year-round, but does especially well in winter. It’s used to flavor soups, sauces and dips, or sprinkled on scrambled eggs. Chives can be mixed with butter to use when cooking steak, roasted chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Coriander
The annual will flourish during cooler months. It’s a popular spice in Indian, Latin, Mexican and Spanish dishes. Coriander is used in marinades, sauces, soups, curries, and meat rubs.
Fennel
It’s a perennial, with the seeds and leaves used in herbal teas, as a garnish and in salads. The stems can be used in soups.
Parsley
A biannual, it will thrive in the winter months. Use the leaves in pasta or meat dishes, in vegetables, salads, sauces, and as a garnish. Commercially, the seeds are used as a fragrance in soaps, perfumes and cosmetics. The root, seeds and leaves are used in the manufacturing of medicine.
Thyme
A perennial, it can be planted Oct. through Feb. in South Florida. Use the leaves and flowers to flavor soups, season meat, and sprinkled on vegetables. Some use it in batter and dough mixtures. Commercially, the leaves, flowers and oil are utilized in food production and to manufacture medicine.
Planning Ahead
For those that like to plan their next garden endeavor early, there are 10 herbs that every South Florida gardener should try. They can be cultivated in the ground, in raised beds or in containers.
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
- Thyme
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