The frost will kill tender annual herbs like basil, cilantro, and dill, but perennial herbs like thyme, lavender, chives, mint, bergamot, and tarragon, can be left outdoors over the winter and will re-grow from the root system in the spring. Many herbs are shallow-rooted and benefit from a protective layer of mulch (straw, shredded leaves) placed around the base to help insulate them. Please see the "overwintering herbs" portion of our webpage. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/care-herbs-and-starting-herbs-seed

Basil is typically grown as an outdoor annual crop, replanted each spring. If you do want to bring the basil indoors, you will need to give it sufficient lighting --10 to 12 hours of bright light (an artificial lighting system is usually needed to provide the amount and intensity of light they need). Keep in mind that basil is an annual plant -- once it flowers and produces seeds, it will die (even indoors). https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-basil#bringing-basil-indoors-933011

Stevia is a tender perennial plant that can live outdoors in warmer climates (zone 9 and higher). You can transplant it into a pot that has a drainage hole and bring it indoors, but keep in mind that it also needs sufficient bright light (8-10 hours daily is optimal).

An alternative to moving whole herb plants indoors (if limited space is an issue) is to take stem cuttings and try to root them. https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/propagate-herbs-now-for-yearlong-enjoyment/

Lavender can be tricky to overwinter here. The root systems do not do well in consistently damp soil. Raised beds are a good choice. Lavender does well in very dry areas of the country with soil pH that is neutral to slightly alkaline. In general, lavender doesn't grow very well or for very long in Maryland. Our climate is the main problem -- especially wet or severe winters and wet summers. They also do not like our humidity. Here is a link from the U of Illinois with more information about growing lavender and what it needs. http://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/lavender.cfm

If you do want to bring in the tender herbs or take cuttings of them to propagate, do it soon. For your area, the first freezing weather typically comes sometime between October 18-Nov 3. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fall-frost-or-freeze-dates-maryland

Christa

Sure that's fine. As mentioned previously, plants that are perennial such as oregano, chives, and sage -- could be left outdoors over the winter in the future, if you wish.

Somerset, Maryland is in hardiness Zone 7, which is a method used to determine which plants can survive the average winter minimum temperature in a particular area. (See here for more information and a map:  https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/Native_Plant_Materials/Native_Gardening/hardinesszones.shtml)

If you have plants that are suitable for Zone 7 and lower, they can be left outside; they'll endure the cold and re-grow in the spring. Plants that like warmer climates (Zone 8 and higher) are ones that should be brought in before frost. Plant hardiness zones are usually given on the plant labels/tags or you can look up the information online.

Make sure your herbs indoors get sufficient light. Keep the plants away from dry heat vents and drafts, and be careful not to overwater. Here is our information on growing herbs indoors.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-herbs-containers-and-indoors