Herbs, Fruit and Veg Help!?

Question

I have quite a big garden. Anyway, yesterday, i was wondering round picking of the dead heads of the flowers. I then found a little mint and chives herb plants. I realized that there was lots of space with good soil and plenty of sunlight there to grow herbs, fruit and veg. So now i really want to grow them. The only problem is that i don't know what time of year to grow them and weather they will survive in the winter. I think herbs will last all year round but i am not sure. Lemon grass, Basil, Sage, Thyme, Coriander, Mint, Chives, Oregano, Tarragon and Parsley are all the herbs i can think of. Do you know anymore and if theses ones will last in the winter? Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Carrots, and Spring onions are all the veg i can think of. Do you know anymore that are easy to grow and again if the will survive? Thank you. And remember to suggest things that are EASY to grow. Cheers.

Answer 1

I have some experience growing herbs. First of all its key to let people know what state you live in so they can figure out how cold your winters are because that is a key factor. The ones that I know that will come back (in Southern NY state) are mint and chives.

   If you want a real awesome herb to grow try horseradish. Its 1000 times better than what you buy in a jar at the store. Fresh horseradish. Does well in partial shade. You pick 75% of the root and you put the 25% back in the ground (the root tips). You dig it up in the fall (and re plant in the fall too). Very few animals will try to eat it.  And it keeps coming back for 20 years or so. BTW, if you have a food processor you can use that to make your own Horseradish sauce and you can put it on roast beef, fish, and jazz up vegetarian dishes with it. Make some oriental dishes with it too. Many possibilities.

Answer 2

Most of the herbs will grow during three seasons and come back after winter.  As for Veggies, the root vegetables will grow well.  Beets will also do well.  You could still plant carrots, radishes, beets, potatoes and onions for this year.  If you are into it parsnips grow well also.