Herbs

The great irony of the garden is that cilantro grows best during the cool months when tomatoes do not grow.  Sigh!  : )   Another fun cool weather herb is Amsterdam seasoning celery.  The happy yellow green color is nice in the cold.

Otherwise, the evergreen perennial herbs are some of the best all year color we have here in the valley.  Lavender, rosemary, oregano, mints, chives and thyme are must haves.  My favorite is lemon thyme, variegated green and yellow, with a red tint during winter, and purply flowers in summer.  Just beware that once in the ground those herbs are there to stay, and removing them may cost a shovel or two.