June - Prune Your Herbs

 

Golden oregano in hanging beach pail (Kagan)

WEEKEND REMINDER It's time to prune your herbs!

Most herbs require pruning during the growing season to keep them healthy and continue producing the leaves or flowers we want.

German Chamomile-flowers for tea (Kagan)

Prune herbs regularly and keep some for daily use. Pick early in the day as the sun’s heat will pull flavorful oils from the plant. Gently rinse and dry ones for immediate use. Store extras, unwashed, in unsealed plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper and wash before use.

If you have many, consider preserving them by drying, dehydrating, or freezing. Here's a good article from PennState Extension [https://extension.psu.edu/growing-harvesting-and-preserving-herbs].

Click to go to the article

Caterpillar parsley/Bee-oregano (Kagan)

Though most culinary herbs are not native they can provide excellent functional support to pollinators and other beneficial insects. A few herbs are host plants. Some provide nectar and pollen, as well as shelter and nesting sites. You may want to provide extra plants to let them flower for pollinators.

Garden sage in flower (Kagan)

Here are a few pruning guide photos. (Photos: Carol Kagan)

Oregano

Tarragon

Marjoram

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 HERB SAMPLER Second Edition (my book)

Buy one for yourself and consider getting a few more. They make great hostess gifts, housewarming, and anytime gifts.

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon. 

Just click this link to find it.