The olive herb cannot escape the scissors. With the knowledge of how good its leaves taste, its raison d'être is sealed. But it's not just its use as a cooking ingredient that requires regular cutting. This also gives his crown its dense shape.
When and how do you cut olive herb?
The olive herb should be cut back heavily after flowering, but no more than two thirds of the height may be removed. Light pruning is possible in autumn and pruning again in spring if necessary. Be careful not to cut into the old wood to avoid damaging the plant.
Reasons for the large use of scissors
A regularly cut olive herb shows clearly how good the cutting is for it.
- it grows vitally and he althily
- the bush branches densely
- the crown takes the desired shape
- fresh branches are sprouting
- Barbering is prevented
The right time to cut
As soon as the yellow flowers have faded, you can cut the bush back heavily. However, the semi-woody shrub must never lose more than two-thirds of its height. Until winter sets in, there will be enough warm days for the shrub to sprout fresh and branched branches.
In autumn, this herb should only receive a light topiary. Most of the foliage must remain on the plant because 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 the spring after overwintering, shortly before it starts to sprout again.
This is important to consider when cutting
The olive herb is easy to shape. A spherical crown is ideal in the bucket. A straight cut may be more suitable for bordering a bed. But you should never penetrate into the old wood, otherwise the plant may die. How to act correctly:
- Cut off spent flower stalks completely
- remove dead shoots close to the ground
- cut back remaining shoots slightly
- cut thick shoots diagonally
- this is how rainwater can run off better
Cuttings as a cooking ingredient
Regular cutting gives us plenty of greens as a cooking ingredient. If there are more clippings than can be used in a timely manner, they can be frozen in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Of course, you don't have to wait until the next pruning to enjoy the olive taste of the leaves. For this purpose, you can use scissors at any time, all year round.
Tip
He althy branches cut in spring are ideal cuttings for propagating this herb yourself.
