Herbs in the garden........

bellamonkey

Hi everyone

When picking herbs (I have parsley and basil) from the garden, do you pick from the outside in? Do you snip off at the base of the plant with scissors? Any info gratefully received

Penelope_Penguin

bellamonkey wrote: »

Hi everyone

When picking herbs (I have parsley and basil) from the garden, do you pick from the outside in? Do you snip off at the base of the plant with scissors? Any info gratefully received

I pick the outer leaves of parsley.

With basil - have you pinched out the inner leaves? If not, I'd take them first, which will encourage the plant to form more leaves and become bushy

I usually break off the leaves with my nails, but a small pair of scissors would be ideal.

NoelleV

I just pick off the laves I need, but I am by no means an expert!

izzwizz_2

Same as penelope penguin. I pick the older leaves of parsley, and also snip off any flowering stalks, then take from the outside in.
With basil, mint and sage, I cut the shoots down, making sure to cut just above a leaf node, and you'll get two shoots sprout back for every one you cut. Oregano & marjoram are pretty indestructible this time of year, I just snip shoots wherever they look big. Chives I snip about an inch up from the ground and they grow back.

I'm not good at cutting thyme, it seems to die back wherever I cut, so if anyone has any hints for that I'd be grateful.