Gborosteve

Rosemary, Oregano & Thyme should do fine over the winter - I'm on MD's Eastern Shore, zone 7b - was brushing off SNOW and using the fresh herbs last year! I think the sage was fine as well, but I don't use a lot of it. I don't remember if my mints were usable during the long cold...

I haven't tried freezing herbs -- other than Pesto. I dry what I'll need and throw the rest. Altho'... now that you mention it..... having large hunks of Sage for winter tisanes for sore throats would come in handy. I think I'll try freezing some this winter... Thanks for the idea.

Westelle, I think freezing "kills" the medicinal properties of herbs...

Gborosteve,

Sage, Greek oregano and culinary thymes all survive in the ground up here in New Hampshire in zone 5. Rosemary, even 'hardy' varieties, does not. However, my rosemary plants are still outside in pots with temps that have been going down into the mid-20's for almost a month, and they are doing fine. They really prefer to be outside and I usually leave them there until almost Thanksgiving.

I think all four herb groups can overwinter outdoors in your zone. Rather than cover the tops, I would insulate the pots to give the roots protection from very cold weather, since they don't have the advantage of being in the ground.

narcnh

My rosemary is in the ground right in front of my house which faces south and it does fine in winter. I definitely would not cover with plastic. When I feel a need to cover plants I use some cloth (old sheet, etc.) because I leave for work before sunrise. Sun on plastic can burn plants. As stated the roots would be the more fragile in a container.

I've got rosemary, oregano, thyme, and mints in pots too. All of mine do fine through the winter (I'm in s.e. Wake Co). I can harvest from rosemary and thyme throughout the winter and a sometimes a little oregano (but I usually just use it dried because it's easier). My mints are in pots sunk in the ground to attempt to contain them and they die back during the winter. I usually keep my pots in a somewhat sheltered spot up against the house to keep them a little warmer. If it gets really cold (teens - low 20's) I throw a floating row cover over them.

I'd just dry the sage. It takes up less space that way. And sage holds it's flavor well dried. I save freezer space for basil, cilantro, parsley, and chives.