Which Herbs You Should Plant Right Now

It’s (almost) spring and it’s time to get planting! Certain herbs grow best when planted in early spring, around the last few weeks in March when the sun isn’t too hot and the weather’s still wet. Here’s a helpful list of what you should be planting, herbs and otherwise, right now:

Rosemary
Rosemary is a hearty herb, typically able to withstand colder temperatures than some of its green-leafed peers. Plant it now and don’t overwater – excess moisture is the enemy of tough, sturdy rosemary.

Thyme
Much like rosemary, thyme is pretty solid. It can withstand winds most herbs can’t and it doesn’t need a ton of sun to thrive – in fact, it does best with about 3-4 hours of sunlight a day. Plant now, preferably indoors, but be sure to move inside regardless if your area is going to reach below freezing.

Basil
Basil is relatively sensitive so plant it as late as you can without sacrificing quality growing weeks. It needs full sun and as much heat as possible. Italian Basil is an interesting variation on the standard flat-leaf but be sure to keep whatever variety you plant out of the cold.

Sage
Sage loves heat, almost enough it should wait, but if you plant now and keep it warm enough your sage plant will be producing well into fall (hello, delicious Thanksgiving turkey!) Water your sage as much as your basil and use fertilizer to keep it healthy.

Tarragon
Tarragon is actually pretty resilient – it can last all through the winter unscathed in certain parts of the country as far north as Washington DC. If your leftover tarragon looks wilty, chop it back to the stump and regrow. If you’re planting fresh be careful not to drown the roots.

Vegetables
Beets get extra-sweet if you plant them in spring, but be sure to start them inside. Lettuce is also an excellent spring vegetable: it needs little heat so move it out of direct sunlight when the weather really warms up. Tomatoes, too, should be planted in late spring, preferably started indoors under heat lamps. Onions also work well when planted this time of year but be sure to plant whatever variety (short day or long day) is appropriate for your climate.

If you’re not sure what you should be planting or what kind of containers to buy, consult with your local nursery. It’s also smart to talk to a lawn maintenance provider for your whole yard care before the busy season hits.