How Do I Know if it is Dead?

[Claire]

In my old house, I had an herb garden that I didn't even discover for the first two years of living there, THRIVING on the side of my house with zero attention (no watering, no picking, no nothing). The rosemary bush was about chest-high, there was volunteer mint scattered throughout, and oregano going a little nuts.

Then I moved. I propagated the rosemary and brought it to my new house. I also planted lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, chives, sweet mint, and several varieties of basil. These I kept on my back porch in pots, to contain them.

We had a mild winter, but I expected that the herbs would be showing signs of life by now. They all look dead. How do I know if they are really dead?

 

[Marck]

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia and other species) are evergreen shrubs. if they look dead they are dead.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a tender plant that is treated like an annual in temperate climates. it is assuredly dead as well.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Mints (Mentha), including Peppermint (Mentha x piperita), are hebaceous perennials that do go dormant in cold winter climates. Thre is a very good chance these would survive your Winter inground or in an exposed container, but less so if in a container under a porch that was allowed to get completely dry over Winter. I can only hope and presume that they have received some water. In any case, give them water now and hope for the best. In April*, you should know soon, by May at the latest.

* Obviously, this response is years and months overdue, but such advice can still be of benefit to the gardeners of tomorrow.