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UK Herb Planting Calendar
Herbs are a wonderful addition to any garden, able to be sown, grown, and enjoyed all year long in the UK. Begin to cultivate freshness and flavour right at your doorstep by following this UK herb planting calendar, sharing the proper times for sowing, planting, and harvesting herbs.
Similar to our Vegetable Planting Calendar, use this downloadable planner to keep you on track and ensure your herbs are planted and grown at the perfect moments. Below, we discuss popular UK herbs, the best times to plant them, and top herb gardening tips.
Looking for the best ways to keep your herb garden hydrated and happy? Explore our range of garden irrigation solutions today.
What herbs can I plant now?
Basil
Sow: February – July
Plant Out: June – August
Harvest: June – September
Basil is a fragrant herb beloved by cooks and gardeners alike. It is most effectively cultivated starting with seeds indoors. This method ensures consistent germination by shielding the delicate seedlings from pests like slugs and snails.
Begin the process by carefully sowing your basil seeds in suitable containers like pots or seedling trays. Once these fledgling plants have established themselves with a few robust sets of leaves, they are ready for transplantation. This could be to larger indoor pots or directly into your garden if the weather conditions are suitable. Basil thrives in locations that offer an abundance of warmth and sunlight, along with soil that efficiently drains excess moisture.
Gardening Tip: Harvest basil leaves frequently to promote new growth. Keep the plant healthy and prevent it from flowering too early by pinching off flower buds as they appear. This will also promote a bushier growth pattern and stimulate the production of more aromatic leaves - enhancing your harvest's culinary potential.
Don’t forget: Water your basil plants regularly, ensuring the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, impeding the plant's health and growth. Avoid overwatering by installing an automatic drip irrigation system.
Explore some of our popular drip irrigation systems below:
- Hozelock drip irrigation systems
- Easy Garden irrigation drip irrigation systems
- Claber drip irrigation systems
Coriander (aka Cilantro)
Sow: April – October
Plant Out: April – June
Harvest: July – December
A versatile herb revered in an array of global cuisines, coriander is remarkably straightforward to cultivate. Plant the seeds directly into well-drained soil or suitable pots, ideally situated in a sunny location. Consistent soil moisture is key; aim to keep the soil damp, but steer clear of overwatering to prevent root damage.
Notably, coriander is sensitive to high temperatures and will quickly bolt—sending up a flowering stalk— in such conditions. This can affect leaf flavour and production. To combat this, consider sowing new batches every few weeks to ensure a continuous harvest. Pick the leaves while they're still young for maximum flavour, and when it comes to the seeds—often used as a spice—wait until they've ripened to a rich brown before harvesting.
Gardening Tip: To extend the growing season, consider growing coriander indoors on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse during colder months.
Chamomile
Sow: May
Plant Out: June
Harvest: July – August
Chamomile, a charming herb revered for its soothing qualities, is a rewarding addition to any garden. Begin by scattering the seeds over well-drained soil, ideally located in a sunny area. It's important to maintain a consistent level of soil moisture, particularly during the initial germination phase, as this encourages strong and healthy growth.
As your chamomile plants mature, their need for watering decreases. These hardy plants are capable of withstanding somewhat drier conditions. The blossoms of the chamomile plant are ripe for harvest for tea brewing or for drying to serve a variety of purposes. An essential care tip for extended bloom periods is to regularly remove, or 'deadhead', spent flowers. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms in its quest to set seed.
Gardening Tip: To make chamomile tea, harvest the flowers in the morning when the oils are most concentrated. Dry them by spreading them out in a cool, dry location before brewing.
Don’t Forget: To maintain consistent soil moisture levels, try using automatic watering systems. Learn more about these types of systems in our Hozelock automatic watering guide.
Chives
Sow: March – April
Plant Out: April – May
Harvest: May – September
Chives are a resourceful herb, sporting a mild onion-like flavour, and are a delightful addition to any culinary garden. To initiate growth, scatter the seeds in fertile soil with good moisture retention and drainage as early spring emerges. When it comes to watering, aim for consistency but exercise caution to avoid over-saturation, which can harm the roots. Chives are adaptable and can thrive under full sun or partial shade, providing flexibility in your garden layout.
Harvesting chives is a simple task: snip the leaves close to the base as needed in your cooking. This encourages regrowth and ensures your chive plant remains productive, providing a steady supply of this aromatic herb for your culinary ventures.
Gardening Tip: Chives can be grown indoors in containers as well. Place them on a sunny windowsill and trim the leaves regularly to promote fresh growth.
Dill
Sow: April – July
Harvest: May – September
Dill can be a fulfilling endeavour for garden enthusiasts as an aromatic herb, perfect for pickling and seafood preparation. To begin cultivation, sow the seeds from late spring through mid-summer directly into the ground. Ideally, choose an outdoor location that gets plenty of sunshine and features well-drained soil. A slight acidity in the soil is preferred.
When harvesting, you can pluck the leaves as required for your culinary needs. However, remember to leave a fair amount of foliage on the plant. Over-harvesting can potentially stunt the plant's growth, decreasing the yield for your future dishes.
Gardening Tip: To encourage dill to self-seed, leave a few flower heads on the plant to dry. The seeds will scatter and sprout new dill plants the following year.
Don’t forget: With Dill, it’s critical to maintain a regular watering routine, with particular attention during periods of dry weather to ensure the soil remains consistently moist. A water timer will ensure your dill is consistently watered. Our most popular water timers are:
Lemongrass
Sow: March – April
Plant Out: June
Harvest: All year
For a tropical herb with a citrusy aroma, lemongrass can be successfully cultivated in the UK if treated with attentive care. At first, sow the seeds indoors during the early spring months. Following the last threat of frost, these seedlings are ready for transplantation into larger pots or a sun-drenched outdoor spot.
This herb flourishes in well-drained soil conditions and demands a steady watering routine to thrive. When it comes to harvest time, trim the stalks near the base. This practice allows the plant to regrow, ensuring a continuous supply of this flavourful herb. Even in less tropical climates, with the right care and attention, lemongrass can be a fruitful addition to your garden.
Gardening Tip: Lemongrass can be overwintered indoors. Bring potted plants indoors before the first frost and place them in a sunny location. Reduce watering during the dormant period.
Lemon Balm
Sow: March – May
Plant Out: April – June
Harvest: July – September
Lemon balm is a fragrant herb revered for its soothing aroma. It serves as a delightful addition to teas and salads or as a unique flavour enhancer in a variety of dishes. To grow, begin by sowing the seeds in early spring in a small pot or tray filled with moist, well-draining soil. Place the pot in a heated propagator or simply cover it with clear plastic, and position it in a warm area. Upon the emergence of seedlings, remove the pot from the propagator or take off the cover.
As your seedlings grow strong enough to handle, usually by late spring, prick them out into individual pots or transplant them outdoors. While lemon balm favours partial shade, it can withstand some sunlight. To harvest, simply snip off leaves near the base as needed.
Gardening Tip: Lemon balm has a tendency to spread, so consider growing it in containers or confining its growth to a specific area to prevent it from becoming invasive.
Don’t forget: Maintain a regular watering routine for your lemon balm to keep the soil evenly moist. Drip lines are a great irrigation solution for reliable watering in planter boxes or pots. Explore our popular drip lines and starter kits today.
Mint
Plant: March – May
Harvest: May – October
Mint is a herb that can be easily propagated from cuttings, making it an excellent choice for gardening begginers. Although it's possible to grow mint from seeds, germination can prove to be a slow and inconsistent process. Instead, purchasing a young plant is often a more reliable approach for establishing your own mint garden.
Mint plants flourish in moist, well-drained soil and prefer locations with partial shade. Be aware, however, of mint's vigorous growth habit - this herb is known to spread aggressively. To prevent it from dominating your garden, consider confining it to containers or a designated area. Regular watering is essential for mint's health, but be wary not to overwater, as this can cause root issues.
Gardening Tip: Harvest mint leaves as needed by pinching off the stem just above a set of leaves. Regular harvesting will help the plant stay compact and bushy. Consider planting different varieties of mint to enjoy a variety of flavours.
Oregano
Sow: February – May
Plant Out: April – July
Harvest: May – October
Oregano, a quintessential Mediterranean herb, can start growing from a seed indoors, although it is more common and often simpler to begin with young plants. Ready-grown plants are readily available, acclimate quickly, and provide the immediate benefit of harvestable leaves almost upon planting.
This sun-loving herb thrives in bright locations, and its watering needs are moderate. Make sure to let the soil dry out between waterings to avoid over-saturating the plant. When harvesting, cut the stems just above a leaf node to promote denser, bushier growth.
Gardening Tip: Oregano is a perennial herb and can be overwintered outdoors in the UK. Cut back the plant in late autumn, and it will regrow in spring.
Parsley
Sow: April – October
Harvest: June – October
Parsley is easily propagated from seeds. To begin, sow the seeds either directly in the garden or in pots that contain well-draining soil. During the crucial germination period, ensure the soil remains consistently moist.
Once the seedlings are well established, proceed to thin them out, allowing only the most robust ones to continue growing. This herb prefers partial shade, yet it can withstand some sunlight.
Gardening Tip: To encourage bushier growth, pinch off the outer stems of the plant, allowing the inner ones to flourish. Harvest parsley by cutting off outer stems, leaving the centre intact for continuous growth. Maintain a consistent watering schedule to keep the soil evenly moist.
Explore some of our popular garden hosepipes below:
Rosemary
Plant: March – May
Harvest: All year
Rosemary is typically cultivated either by purchasing young plants or by rooting cuttings. Find a sunny location within your garden that enjoys good air circulation to ensure optimal growth conditions. This hardy herb has a preference for slightly alkaline soil conditions and is tolerant of lower water levels.
In terms of watering, it's best to water deeply but infrequently, giving the soil a chance to dry out between waterings, as this prevents the roots from becoming waterlogged and promotes healthier growth. Regular pruning is recommended to both maintain the shape of the rosemary bush and to stimulate new growth.
Gardening Tip: Rosemary is a perennial herb that thrives in containers. Consider growing it in a pot so you can easily move it indoors during colder months, as it is sensitive to frost.
Learn how to properly prepare your watering systems for winter in our winter irrigation guide.
Sage
Sow: March – May
Plant: March – May
Harvest: May – November
Sage is usually cultivated from purchased plants. However, if you're up for a little gardening adventure, you can also propagate sage from seeds or cuttings. These methods may take longer to yield a harvest-ready plant, but they offer a rewarding gardening experience.
To start sage from seed, begin in springtime. Sow the seeds into small pots or trays filled with seed compost, and top with a thin layer of perlite. Place your planted seeds in a propagator, or alternatively, cover them with a polythene bag and position them on a warm windowsill. Patience is key here, as sage seeds can take up to three weeks to germinate. Once they sprout, transfer your seedlings into modules or pots for further growth.
Once your young sage plants have reached a height of about 10cm (4in), and all danger of frost has passed, they're ready to move outdoors. Prior to this transition, ensure to harden them off, gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions. In terms of placement, choose a spot that offers full sun, which sage thrives in. To harvest, simply pick the leaves as needed, bearing in mind not to remove more than a third of the plant's foliage at one time to ensure the health and longevity of your sage plant.
Gardening Tip: Sage is a woody perennial herb. To keep the plant compact and bushy, prune it in early spring by cutting back any woody growth.
Don’t forget: Regular watering is crucial for sage until the plant becomes established, after which you can reduce watering frequency.
Sorrel
Sow: April – October
Plant Out: May – July
Harvest: May – September
To get started with Sorrel sow the seeds in a pot filled with well-drained soil. Position your pot in a location that receives full sunlight or partial shade to promote healthy growth. Once the young sorrel plants have established themselves, you can transplant them outdoors during late spring or early summer, when the weather conditions are favourable.
Ensure regular watering to maintain evenly moist soil which is essential for this herb's growth. For the best flavour, make sure to harvest the leaves when they are young and tender. Keep in mind that as the leaves mature, they tend to become bitter.
Gardening Tip: Sorrel leaves can be used in salads, soups, or cooked as a vegetable. Consider growing sorrel in a container to control its spread, as it can become invasive.
Here are some of our best irrigation systems for a herbs in containers:
Tarragon
Plant: April – August
Harvest: May – September
Tarragon is renowned for its unique, anise-like flavour and frequently used in French cuisine. French tarragon is typically unavailable as seeds, so we would recommend purchasing young plants during the spring season. To start, place the plant in a large pot filled with gritty compost, an ideal medium to encourage growth.
Find a sunny and sheltered location in your garden to house your tarragon plant, and maintain a regular watering schedule, particularly during periods of dry weather to ensure the plant doesn't dry out. When harvesting, cut the stems just above a leaf node. This method allows the plant to continue to grow and produce fresh leaves.
Gardening Tip: Russian tarragon is often grown from seed, while French tarragon is propagated by dividing existing plants or through stem cuttings. French tarragon has the best flavour.
Thyme
Sow: March – April
Plant Out: April – June
Harvest: All year
Thyme can be conveniently grown from seeds or cuttings. If you opt for seeds, begin the process indoors during early spring. Sow your thyme seeds in light, free-draining soil, an ideal environment to facilitate germination and growth.
Thyme thrives in warm, sunny locations, so select an appropriate spot for your plants. Its watering needs are moderate, and it's best to let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent over-saturation. When it's time to harvest, cut the stems just above a leaf node to keep the plant productive.
Gardening Tip: Thyme is a hardy herb that can be grown year-round in the UK. Trim the plant lightly after flowering to encourage new growth.
Looking for more gardening tips? Visit our help and advice page, where dedicated UK gardening experts share their knowledge and expertise.
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