The olive herb cannot escape the scissors. With the knowledge of how good its leaves taste, its purpose in existence is sealed. But not only its use as a cooking ingredient requires regular cutting. This also gives its crown its dense shape.

After flowering, the olive herb is cut back

Reasons for using large scissors

A regularly pruned olive herb shows how well cutting is doing it.

  • it grows vital and healthy
  • the bush branches out densely
  • the crown takes the desired shape
  • fresh branches sprout
  • Balding is prevented

The right time for the cut

As soon as the yellow flowers have faded, you can cut back the shrub vigorously. However, the semi-woody shrub must never lose more than two-thirds of its height. Until the onset of winter, there are enough warm days for the shrub to sprout fresh and branched.

In autumn, this herb may only receive a light topiary. Most of the foliage needs to stay on the plant as it is its own natural protection from the coming winter cold.

If the shrub is out of shape, you can, exceptionally, cut it back in spring after hibernation, just before it begins to sprout again.

This has to be taken into account when cutting

The olive herb is easy to mould. A spherical crown is ideal in the bucket. A straight cut may be more suitable for edging the bed. But you should never penetrate into the old wood, otherwise the plant can die. How to act correctly:

  • Cut off faded flower stalks completely
  • remove dead shoots close to the ground
  • Slightly cut back the remaining shoots
  • cut thick shoots at an angle
  • this allows rainwater to run off better

Clippings as a cooking ingredient

Regular cutting gives us plenty of green as a cooking ingredient. If there is more clippings than can be used in a timely manner, they can be frozen in the chest freezer for up to 12 months.

Of course, you don't have to wait until the next pruning to enjoy the olive flavor of the leaves. For this purpose, you can use scissors at any time and all year round.

tips

Healthy branches cut in spring are the best cuttings to use to propagate this herb yourself.

Category:

Vegetable garden