Herbs and crops that grow all year

Some plants never really stop in Brentwood, California (USDA zone 9b). With our mild winters and long growing season, perennial herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and mint keep producing twelve months a year. This page keeps track of the year-round growers in the garden.

Rows of fresh green and purple basil plants growing in the garden

What grows here year round

The plants in the table below are just examples to show the layout. Please replace them with what’s actually growing year round in the garden.

CropPlanted dateNotes
Rosemary (example)MarchVery drought-tolerant; prune lightly after flowering.
Thyme (example)AprilLoves sun and well-drained soil; trim regularly to keep it bushy.
Mint (example)AprilGrows fast — keep it in a pot so it doesn’t take over the bed.
Green basil plant with tiny white flowers blooming

Care notes

  • Most Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano) prefer full sun and soil that drains well.
  • Water deeply but let the soil dry a little between waterings — soggy roots are the biggest killer.
  • Harvest a little at a time all year; regular picking keeps plants full and healthy.
  • Refresh mulch in spring and feed lightly with compost once a year.
  • Grow mint in its own pot — its roots spread aggressively in open beds.