Annual, Perennial, Biennial Herbs Policy

The ISU garden operates under a “no-perennial” policy. This means that only annual herbs may be planted in the ground in the plot(s).  If gardeners choice to grow herbs, they may keep any and all herbs in above-the-ground pots within their plots.

The garden maintains specially designated permanent “communal beds” that are available for gardeners to harvest perennials herbs from.  Please contact the Garden Manager or Coordinator for more details. Read the information below for more details and information on container growing of herbs.

Herbs can be classified as being annual, perennial or biennial depending on whether they need to grow from seed each year or come back from overwintering crowns, roots, or bulbs. There are many herbs classified as tender perennials that are sold in parts of the country that do not allow them to overwinter successfully outdoors.

  • Annual (started from seed, died in the winter) Annual herbs such as Basil, Dill, Nasturtiums, Scented Geraniums
  • Biennial (grows 1st year & flowers 2nd year for seeds) Biennial herbs such as Parsley, Caraway, Garlic, Onions
  • Perennial (roots overwinter and can be invasive in a small vegetable garden) Perennial herbs such as all Mints, all Sages, Catnip, Chicory, Chives, Comfrey, Garlic Chives, Echinacea, Fennel, Feverfew, Ginger, Horseradish, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Oregano, Roman Chamomile, , Sorrel, Tarragon, Thyme , Winter Savory
  • Tender (can be grown outside, but need to be indoors in the winter) Tender herbs such as Lemon Grass, Rosemary, Bay

Container growing

Herbs are extremely useful and attractive when used in containers. A single herb can be grown in a container as a specimen plant or several herbs can be planted together to give the gardener a functional culinary herb garden. These herbs are often grown in containers during the summer months and moved indoors before cold weather where they are overwintered in a sunny location of the home. Then next season they are moved back outdoors

With container grown herbs, use a suitable sized container with ample drainage holes. Fill the container with a prepared potting mix. After planting, place the container in a sunny location. Regular, timely watering to keep the soil moist as well as a regular fertilization program will result in container herb gardens that produce all summer and maintain good appearance. A general purpose liquid fertilizer mixed properly (as per label direction) and applied every two weeks is sufficient to maintain quality plants.

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/1menu.html?L=C