When I started this a couple years ago, I thought all I had to do was dig a few holes in the backyard, and plant some seeds. I was so naive. So, what's the significance of October 17?

I found an old package of Summer Savory seeds this spring (had to be at least 3 years old!) and thought, oh what the heck, so I took them out and made a row at the front of the herb bed and tossed the whole pack in, assuming that most would not germinate. They are coming up like crazy! I had to pull handfuls of them this morning (which I hated to do but had no choice.) I have planted SS in pots in prior years with great luck, also. So go ahead and get them in! Edie

You can look into buying seeds of chervil and summer savory. They are easy to grow from seeds. But you cannot find French Tarragon seeds. They are propagated by root division. You can buy fresh tarragon and try to root it using root hormone.. I have done a few times but it is very difficult.

For some of them, especially thyme, if you neglect it the lower stems can lose all their leaves; so if you were to cut it back hard, there'd be no leaves left. If that happens, give it a "haircut," which will stimulate new leafy branches to form below. After a few weeks, you can then give it a more severe pruning to restore it to bushiness.