Herb garden on the balcony: Hardy herbs that you can plant and harvest in late summer and autumn!

Would you like to enjoy fresh herbs from your own herb garden on the balcony in late summer and autumn? You still have time until the end of September to plant your containers and window boxes with perennial, hardy medicinal plants and aromatic herbs. In the article we will tell you which species can be harvested in late summer and autumn and which can be replanted.

Planting a Herb Garden On The Balcony in Late Summer and Autumn: Is That Possible?

They contain bitter substances, are rich in minerals and some of them are even real vitamin bombs: the Mediterranean herbs. Most of them are hardy, i.e. perennial, can withstand frost and wind. After the frost sets in, the above-ground parts of the plant die off. The plants will not sprout again until the following year.

Below we list several herbs that are hardy. They prefer a spot in full sun. A place on the balcony is ideal, where they are protected from the wind and at the same time get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. A north-facing balcony is therefore less suitable. The south or west-facing balcony offers optimal conditions for the rapid growth of aromatic herbs, but most species will also feel at home on a wind-protected east-facing balcony. In late summer and autumn you can still plant the following herbs:

Hardy Herbs for the Balcony Garden: These Species Are Perennial!

The next herbs feel at home on the balcony all year round.

Lavender: A Perennial Crop

1. Lavender – Planting in pots and balcony boxes is possible from spring to autumn. However, you should plant the young plants by the end of August at the latest so that they can get used to the new location. Lavender is conditionally hardy and needs winter protection in the event of a frost.Common Sage Is Also Hardy and Can Stay Outside in Winter
2. Common sage: The herb is actually native to the Mediterranean region, but it a hardy plant. You can plant the common sage until the end of September, the leaves are edible and can be harvested until the beginning of October.

Winter savory in the herb garden on the balcony

3. Winter savory (Mountain Savory) – Depending on whether you have chosen a summer-flowering or winter-flowering species, mountain savory’s harvest time may vary. The winter savory varieties can be harvested all year round. The only time you should not cut off the twigs is when there is permafrost, because the cuts could freeze to death. The summer-flowering varieties can be harvested until the beginning of October, preferably just before or just after the flowering period.

Herb Garden on The Balcony: Thyme Needs Winter Protection

4. Thyme: The thyme leaves are particularly popular for their slightly spicy aroma. Harvest time extends to the end of September, in warm weather – even to the end of October. It is best to cut them off just before the beginning of the flowering period. If you keep the plant in a container, you should also protect it from frost – for example with a fleece film. This is necessary because the volume of soil in the bucket is significantly lower and cannot adequately protect the sensitive roots from frost.

Oregano and Hyssop: Two Herbs That Can Be Planted Until the End of October

5. Oregano: Oregano is also hardy and can be planted in pots on the balcony until October. When harvesting, which is possible until the end of September, the shoots are shortened to 20 cm. You can then season various dishes with the shoot tips and the young leaves.
6. Hyssop: The herb hyssop can be harvested during the flowering period. Unlike the other herbs already mentioned, the harvest time lasts from the beginning to the end of October. However, the herb is hardy and can still be planted in August.

You should harvest these herbs by the end of August and then leave the young shoots in the autumn. The leaves and stems will die and dry up, protecting the soil from drying out and freezing. If there is permafrost, you should also wrap the container or flower box with winter protection film.

Local Wild and Medicinal Herbs That Are Suitable For the Balcony Garden

A sunny balcony is the dream of every hobby gardener from the big city. Unfortunately, precisely in densely built-up areas, it’s not always possible to have a sun-drenched outdoor space. In this case, the local wild and medicinal herbs are ideal. They feel comfortable in partial shade and can easily withstand frost and wind.

1. Nettle is considered a weed in the home garden, but in fact the plant is highly valued by naturopaths for its healing properties. The herb is sown in May, but you can plant young plants from spring to autumn. It is particularly important that the temperatures are above 10 degrees Celsius. Leave a minimum distance of 35 cm between the plants in the flower box. Nettles thrives best in sunny to partially shaded locations.

Use: To season various dishes (nettle pesto), as an infusion for tea.

2. Ground elder spreads quickly in the garden. The herb can be sown on the balcony until the end of September. Harvest time begins in summer and ends in late autumn. This herb also prefers partially shaded areas on the balcony. It is often used in various dishes, not only the leaves being edible but also the flowers.

3. Chickweed is a herb whose flowers and leaves can be enjoyed raw or cooked in food. It is particularly delicious in a salad. The herb self-seeds, grows quickly and does well in both sunny and partially shaded locations.