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Herb trimming - should I trim these ones now?...

CulpabilityBrownCulpabilityBrown Posts: 63
in Plants

Hi all,

I'm a herb novice, my herbs are growing nicely but I was wondering if I should trim back the heads/stalks off of the following ones, now that they are growing taller and almost flowering?:

Chives, Sage, Burnet, Sweet Cicely.

(I've heard that it's good to trim herbs regularly, but was wondering if that rule applies to all of them?)

Thanks!


Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,145
    The idea is to use them, not just trim them.   Using them regularly or collecting for freezing or drying or making into a tincture will keep them trimmed and growing.  
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • CulpabilityBrownCulpabilityBrown Posts: 63

    Thanks, I do intend to use them, but is trimming the tops off frequently the best practice to keep them thriving? In other words should I still trim them back a bit even when I don't need to use/eat them, or should I leave them alone to grow sufficiently large again naturally while I'm not using/eating them? Or is it fine either way?

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,145
    edited May 2021
    I cut as I need them or to harvest them for freezing or flavouring oils and so on when at their peak.  I don't ever go round giving them a trim just for the sake of it.  Even when I'm pinching them out to make for bushier plants I do it when I need some for cooking or a salad.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • CulpabilityBrownCulpabilityBrown Posts: 63
    Okay, thanks for the quick reply btw!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,145
    The way to keep herbs healthy is to make sure they are in the right location in terms of soil, direct sun, shade, moisture and they have enough space.  For instance, you wouldn't plant rosemary and chervil together as rosemary likes it hot, sunny and well-drained whereas chervil needs shelter, some shade and more moisture.  That applies whether in pots or in the ground.

    You can look up all your herbs on the RHS website to check the kind of soil they need and whether they prefer full sun or partial shade.

    Have fun.  I've just increased my range of herbs as my daughter has decided she wants to grow some for making herbal remedies so I'll be on a learning curve for the ones that are new to me - chamomile, lemon and ordinary verbena, juniper and, when I find one, a jasminum.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • CulpabilityBrownCulpabilityBrown Posts: 63

    Thanks for the advice!

    Good luck with the new ones, I'm still getting to grips with the basics, but it's slowly getting there!

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,145
    edited May 2021
    So am I!  I've managed to kill 3 sage in the last few years and one I brought here in a healthy state from my last garden in a pot with a rosemary that's still alive and has survived the initial planting out and then being transplanted to a better place last year.

    I should add that all other herbs are doing very well - plain, lemon and orange thymes, 5 kinds of mint, tarragon, fennel, savoury, ordinary chives and white chives, basil, parsley...   I need to sow more parsley, coriander and basil.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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