Alan Titchmarsh issues urgent winter warning for herbs
Alan Titchmarsh has warned gardeners to prepare for the harsh weather expected later this week.
With the Met Office predicting snow and storms in parts of the country in the coming days, the TV personality warns that gardeners must act quickly to shield their plants.
Speaking to Gardeners' World, Alan highlighted the importance of safeguarding herbs like garlic, basil, thyme, oregano, mint, sage, and rosemary during cold snaps. While some herbs can withstand harsher winter elements, others need extra care.
“Where would we be without the herbs that flavour our food?” Alan said.
“Even in winter, with things like bay in lovely winter soups and stews, being evergreen, it can stay out all year round, in all but the coldest localities. The same is true of rosemary, both evergreens that can live in the garden all year round.”
However, he warns that delicate herbs such as basil and coriander are less resilient and urges gardeners to take proactive measures.
For perennial herbs like mint and chives, which naturally die back in winter, Alan recommends a clever trick to keep them thriving until spring.
He says: “Dig them up and make sure you’re putting them in a place where you can continue encouraging them to grow through the winter.”
This technique is easy: remove excess foliage, split chive plants, and replant them in indoor trays for ongoing growth. He explains doing this could mean the difference between a flourishing herb garden and cold weather claiming your favourite flavours.
With storms expected this weekend, Alan also urges gardeners to be mindful of wet conditions and the detrimental effect they could have on plants. He adds: “Wet conditions kill more herbs in winter than the cold, so place container-grown perennials such as oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary in a sheltered position against a wall or the side of the house or garage.
"This will reduce the amount of rainfall hitting the pot by around 25 per cent,” they advised.
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