The Best Herbs to Grow in August Gardens

There's nothing like snipping fresh basil or thyme just steps from your kitchen door instead of trying to use all of your fresh produce. Herbs are some of the most forgiving plants you can grow, they grow fast, compact, and are perfect for raised garden bed. You don't need a big yard or years of gardening experience. You just need the right set up and a sunny spot.

Late summer is actually a great time to start (or refresh) a herb garden. Heat-lovers like basil and oregano are still pushing out growth, while cooler-season herbs like cilantro and parsley can be planted now for a crisp fall harvest.

Why Cedar Planters Work So Well for Herbs

Herbs, especially Mediterranean varieties like rosemary, thyme, and oregano hate "wet feet." Cedar naturally resists rot even with the frequent watering, it also insulates roots against summer heat spikes better than alternative materials. It also looks good doing it, which matters when your herb garden lives right on the patio or by the back door.

What to Plant:

• Shallow-rooted (thyme, oregano, chives): 6–8" deep
• Medium-rooted (basil, cilantro, mint): 8–10" deep
• Deep-rooted (parsley, rosemary): 10–12" deep

The 8 Herbs Every Home Cook Should Grow

1. Basil: Full sun, 8–10" deep, moist but never soggy soil. Pinch the top leaves weekly to keep it bushy and delay flowering. Essential for pesto, caprese, and pasta sauce. Late-summer note: keep up the harvesting-basil bolts fast once nights cool.

2. Parsley: Tolerates part shade, 10–12" deep for healthy roots. A cool-weather lover, making it a smart pick to plant now for a strong fall run. Delicious as chimichurri, tabbouleh, and gremolata.

3. Cilantro: Bolts quickly in heat, so give it afternoon shade or wait a few weeks for cooler temps. Sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous leaves. Essential in salsa and guacamole.

4. Thyme: Drought-tolerant and nearly impossible to kill once established. 6–8" deep, full sun, and let the soil dry out between waterings. Great in stocks, roasted vegetables, and herb blends.

5. Rosemary: Needs full sun and excellent drainage in a 12"+ deep container. Water sparingly for the most concentrated flavor. You can extend your growing season for this plant by using a greenhouse cover as temperatures begin dropping.

6. Mint: Vigorous to the point of invasive if not planted in a container, which is another reason why it does well on its own. 10–12" deep, tolerates shade, and is nearly impossible to overwater. Ideal for tea, mojitos, and fruit salads.

7. Chives: Cold-hardy, easy, and often the last herb standing in fall. 6–8" deep, full sun to part shade. Snip over eggs, potatoes, and vinaigrettes.

8. Oregano: Drought-tolerant, spreads readily, 8–10" deep with full sun. Unlike most herbs, its flavor actually intensifies when dried — a nice bonus as the season winds down.

Your Late-Summer Action Plan

• Keep harvesting basil, mint, and oregano hard — regular cutting (never more than a third of the plant) keeps them productive through the last warm weeks.
• Start cilantro, parsley, and chives now for a fall harvest as temperatures cool.
• Ease off watering rosemary and thyme — they'd rather be a little dry than sitting in late-summer humidity.
• Watch for bolting — hot nights push basil and cilantro to flower fast. Pinch flower buds immediately to keep the leaves coming.

Quick FAQ

Can I still plant herbs in August? Yes, it's ideal timing for cool-season herbs like cilantro, parsley, and chives, and there's still time for a final basil flush before frost.

Do herbs need fertilizer? Lightly. A half-strength organic fertilizer every 4–6 weeks is plenty; too much feeds leaves at the expense of flavor.

What's the best soil for container herbs? A quality potting mix with added perlite or coarse sand, as well as garden soil to create a tripple mix blend.

How do I get my herbs through fall? Bring tender herbs like rosemary indoors before the first frost; hardy perennials like thyme, oregano, and chives can often stay put with a winter cover.

Our raised garden beds are built with the depth, drainage, and durability plants need to thrive.