Annual Herbs
Annual herbs reward a new gardener quickly, but timing matters — sow at the wrong end of the season and coriander or basil will bolt before you get a harvest. These 5 guides cover exactly when to plant for your zone, and how to keep a steady supply coming.
Basil
Ocimum basilicum · Mint family
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla · Daisy family
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum · Carrot family
Dill
Anethum graveolens · Carrot family
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum · Carrot family
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my basil keep flowering and losing flavour?
Flowering redirects the plant's energy away from leaf production and toward seed, which also changes the flavour. Pinch out flower spikes as soon as you see them to keep the plant leafy and productive for longer.
Can annual herbs be grown year-round?
Most have a seasonal preference — basil wants warmth and will sulk or die in cold weather, for example. Succession sowing every few weeks through the right season is more reliable than forcing year-round growth.