I can imagine Basil not liking the cold. Never really cold here though so don't really know for sure, but I would have thought Rosemary was more hardy?

Did you know that Rosemary will grow from a cutting really easily? I just chop off bits of herbs and put them in water in a little old tea pot on a ledge in my kitchen window where the sun can shine in on them. Before I know it they've got roots. Looks cute too! ;) I usually stick something out the spout. Oregano does well in the spout. Curls all around the place.

I know it's a totally different climate here so no idea how that would work there.

Maybe you could also place some of the herbs in pots/with potting mix against a window where there is light as one would do with violets. Then you will have them ready to go as the cold weather disappears.

Going to try sprouting rosemary! One of my fav. herbs...along with Sweet Basil..and I am awash in oregano..very hardy. I did add new soil to my raised bed because the tomato plants did so poorly last year. Mr.Alffe thought they needed some sand. Sun shining very brightly...hope it warms the air soon.
:hug:

Oh Lara, I have a violet that has never bloomed! I've moved it from window to window, repotted it, great new leaves often but never never a bloom. Suggestions???

The one small ones are tender and sweet. The larger they grow the tougher they get, so try to pick um early. Take a basket to church, take a basket to the MD take a basket to the post office. I share mine all over town. They seem to sprout out of nowhere, and you look one day its a baby, and the next its a giant monster!

Pick um fast. YUM!

Alffe,
Hard for me to suggest gardening tips when I live in this swelter month in month out, year in year out. :o
If the soil mix you have it/them in is good and the light is good then the violet probably may need some sort of nutrient specific for African Violets.

I switched from Aussie view on Google to Web... found this. Isn't that a marvel? ;)
Bold added by me.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/african-violet.htm
African Violet Quick Facts:

Scientific Name: Saintpaulia ionantha
Common Name: African Violet
Light Requirement for African Violet: Bright Light
Water Requirement for African Violet: Evenly Moist
Humidity for African Violet: Average Home
Temperature for African Violet: House
Fertilizer for African Violet: High Phosphorus
Potting Mix for African Violet: All-Purpose
Propagation of African Violet: Division, Leaf Cuttings, Stem Cuttings
Decorative Use for African Violet: Hanging Basket, Table
Care Rating for African Violet: Easy

Well, my plants are taking off. Multiple flowers. I don't know how long it'll take for them to fruit but I don't think it'll be long. So glad I took them out of my herb garden! Can't wait.