Maintaining Your Herbs
Herbs are generally quite robust plants but appreciate a little attention. Leaving them to do their own thing is tempting, but many can get carried away if untended and spread themselves everywhere, so maintaining them is essential.
- Excerpted from Simple Steps: Herbs
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Spread Out the Workload
Throughout the gardening year there is always something that can be usefully done, but in spring and fall there rarely seem to be enough hours in the day, so get as much done in the winter as you can. Try to plan your new schemes in the fall so the hard digging can be done on dryer days in early winter and the soil can be ready for planting in the spring. Pruning and cutting back do not have to be done in the fall—left standing, stems and seedheads provide a habitat and food source for wildlife. In summer, much of the harvesting, pruning, and pinching out is best done in small doses—it makes the process more enjoyable.
Pinching Out
By pinching out the growing tips of herbs such as basil (Ocimum), the plant bushes out as its energy is redirected to lateral buds lower down the stem. Avoid the temptation to just pick off the odd leaf.
Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Simple Steps to Success: Herbs © 2009 Dorling Kindersley LimitedWeeding
This is essential to reduce competition for light, water, and nutrients, but take care not to damage your herbs by over-enthusiastic hoeing. This can be an easy task if done regularly, but onerous if left too long.
Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Simple Steps to Success: Herbs © 2009 Dorling Kindersley LimitedExcerpted from Simple Steps: Herbs
©Dorling Kindersley Limited 2009
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See Also:
- Herb (video 04:49)
- Thyme
- How to Grow Fresh Basil
From our Sister Sites:
- Thyme on Your Hands? Make Some Herb-Infused Cookies (from HGTVGardens)
- Herb Your Enthusiasm (from HGTVGardens)
- Rx for Unhappy Herbs: How to Help Your Basil Bounce Back (from HGTVGardens)
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