Sunday’s weather was perfect for working in the yard, but a low of 26° was predicted for Monday morning. We’ve had one light frost, but this was going to be a real freeze—the kind that can damage tender herbs overnight.
As I went out to my shed to gather what I would need to cover my vegetable garden, I decided to grab my basket and garden scissors and snip a few of my herbs before the freezing weather arrived. I gathered rosemary, lemon balm, peppermint, sage, lavender, oregano, and thyme. The scent of the herbs was wonderful as I gathered them into my basket to bring indoors and make a few small, fragrant posies. I also snipped a little sweet alyssum (which smells so good) and added for color.
If you’re not expecting a freeze—or you’re lucky enough to have hardy perennial herbs still thriving—this is a great time to create some herb posies (small, hand-tied bundles) and preserve the last bits of your garden before winter sets in.
What You’ll Need to Make Posies
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Freshly cut herbs (any combination you love)
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Twine, raffia, or thin ribbon
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Scissors or garden snips
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Optional: small tags and pen or printer for labeling herb meanings
How to Make Herb Posies
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Harvest your herbs in the morning after the dew has dried. The scent will be stronger. Choose stems that are healthy.
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Group herbs together—try mixing textures and scents. For example, combine rosemary for structure, lavender for color, and lemon balm for a soft fragrance.
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Trim the ends of the stems so they’re even.
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Tie them securely with twine or ribbon, leaving a small loop if you’d like to hang them to dry.
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Label each bundle with a handwritten or typed tag that shares the meaning of each herb. (Optional but nice when tucked into a gift or on the holiday table.
The Language of Herbs
Herbs have long carried symbolic meanings—messages of friendship, health, love, and courage. Adding a tag with each herb’s meaning turns your posies into something extra special.
- Rosemary: Remembrance and welcome
- Lemon balm: Cheer and good health
- Sage: Wisdom
- Lavender: Devotion and happiness
- Oregano: Joy, happiness, kindness
- Thyme: Courage and strength
- Peppermint: Kindness and affection
Ideas for Using Your Herb Posies
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Tuck one into a gift basket for a friend or neighbor.
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Place on a nightstand or windowsill for a gentle natural fragrance.
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Hang in your kitchen to dry and use later in cooking.
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Use as place settings or tied onto linen napkins for a rustic table touch.
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Tuck one inside a card for birthdays, thank-you, or get-well notes—such a simple way to share a bit of your garden.
Creating these little herb posies is such a simple way to bring a bit of your garden indoors—and share it with others. 🌿
I had some herbs left over after making the posies, so I created a bundle of herbs for my greenhouse where I was working. I tucked them on the shelf and can’t wait to see how the greenhouse smells after I go back in this afternoon. I will need to put my ferns and succulents in before the weather gets colder.
Keeping Your Herb Posy Fresh
If you’re using fresh herbs for your posy (instead of dried), keep in mind: they can wilt quickly, especially indoors where it’s warm and dry.
Here are a few tips to keep them looking fresh longer:
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Use freshly harvested herbs—cut them right before assembling
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Hydrate before arranging—let stems sit in water for 1–2 hours
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Mist lightly—spray with a fine mist once arranged
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Keep cool—store in the fridge (wrapped in a damp paper towel) until just before use
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Skip heat sources—avoid placing near fireplaces or heat vents
If you’re making an herb posy for your Thanksgiving table, I recommend creating it the same day for the freshest look and scent.
Or try using a mix of dried and fresh herbs—this gives you the texture and fragrance without worrying about wilting!
If you want to learn more ways to grow, use, and enjoy herbs beyond the summer season, grab my Herbal Duo Guides!
These two fresh-from-the-garden guides show you exactly how to put your herbs to work—from soothing sunburns to serving up crowd-pleasing recipes.
But they’re not just for summer.
Many of the recipes are perfect for holiday meals (think: herb butters, infused oils, and flavorful blends), and the skin care creations are just what your dry winter skin needs. Plus, they’re perfect for unwinding after the hectic holiday rush.
👉 Grab the Herbal Duo Guides here and keep your herbs working for you all year long!
Happy Herb Gardening
Karen
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