Aromatic plants are appreciated for their culinary and medicinal virtues. They are also useful in the garden or orchard. And for good reason, they can repel parasites and damage. Like all plants, herbs need regular pruning to promote healthy growth. That said, discover the aromatic herbs that need to be pruned in October.
What aromatic herbs should be pruned in October?
Autumn pruning refers to perennial aromatic plants and occurs after harvesting , at the end of summer, when the flowers dry out and the herbs lose their harmonious shape due to successive harvesting. Its purpose is to prepare aromatic plants for winter and their dormancy period.
For aromatic perennials with evergreen foliage, it is advisable to remove dried flower stems. This fall pruning should be light, especially for frost-sensitive, that is, frost-sensitive herbs, such as Madagascar lemongrass or lemon verbena. These plants need their foliage to survive the winter well. Severe pruning can only occur at the end of the frost as it risks weakening your plants.
For aromatic plants with deciduous foliage, it is advisable to cut them back, that is, cut them very short, close to the ground. This cleans the base of the plants, including diseases, as well as promoting new growth. These are some examples of aromatic plants to prune in October:
- Prune mint in autumn
Mint is an aromatic plant with very fragrant foliage. You can prune your mint throughout the year, but it is advisable to do it especially during two periods. During the month of June, and during the fall. By pruning the stems of your plant, you will strengthen it and encourage vigorous growth of new shoots. Pruning also helps stop mint from developing, especially when it becomes very invasive.
- prune rosemary in October
Ideal for seasoning dishes, such as grilled meats, rosemary requires maintenance pruning. This can be done for two seasons. After flowering, that is, between March and April, and in autumn, more precisely in October or November. Keep in mind that if you do not maintain your rosemary regularly, it may lose its distinctive aesthetic shape. In this case, take cuttings to multiply your rosemary and replace it. All you have to do is cut the tips of your aromatic plant between August and October, about 15 cm long, and stick them into the ground.
- Pruning oregano in autumn
Oregano is an aromatic plant widely used in cooking. It is one of the plants that are part of the composition of Herbes de Provence. Oregano is easy to care for. It needs to be pruned twice. One pruning at the beginning of autumn to eliminate dry stems and another in autumn. The objective of this operation is to encourage new shoots.
That said, it is important to prune aromatic perennials in the fall. This maintenance pruning allows them to be prepared for the cold and the vegetative rest period.