Allotments 4 All
Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: aquilegia on February 10, 2005, 12:17:59
-
When is it safe to prune thyme and sage?
(I really need to cut my sage bush back this weekend so I actually have room to get my shallots in - it's taking over the bed - or would that kill it?)
And can I take cuttings from both when I prune them?
-
Yes to cuttings from both when you prune, and if the sage is very woody, dig it out and grow fresh from seed. Well, that is what I do. It germinates very easily and you have a nice compact plant again with loads of soft tender leaves. With my thyme, I don't really need to prune it as I use so much it keeps it very neat and tidy, poor thing, but I would just nip over the tops with a pair of scissors. If you really wanna keep the sage, I can't see why you couldn't trim it back now, I would probably trim a little, then a little more in a few weeks time, and then a little more a few weeks after that rather than give it a huge hair cut when it is still so cold and things haven't really sprung into growth yet.
-
Good idea EJ, my mum was cross with my dad for giving the sage a hair cut the other week -she'd none for the pork. What's worse I ended up missing the phone call and buying sage rather than taking our own up, still the pork was free (and v. tasty) ;D
-
Thanks both. That was my worry, EJ, about the cold. I think I'll just cut back the bits that are in the way and leave the rest til it's warmer.
I might try drying some of the prunings too. Actually being as we don't use that much, maybe they'd be better off on the compost.
-
As my parents have just moved house, I took some cuttings from their old thyme plant a month or so ago and they rooted ok in sandy compost (quarter sand 3 quarters GP compost) in a propagator at about 17 degrees C.
The problem with seeds is you can only get the plain thyme and sage for the variegated ones you need to take cuttings
Phil
I think the pruning should take place at the end oif the growing season to keep the plants as bushy as possible - but then where do you get fresh herbs during the winter?
-
Thyme and sage can become woody, so often harvesting and light pruning is ok.and will encourage leaf growth.
I prune lightly several times a year in in fall one third of the tops.
after 3 years I replace the plants, make cuttings. they root easy enough.
-
Lady C
When do you find cuttings take best?
Phil
-
Yes - need to know. We especially need to propagate our broad leaved thyme. = Tim
-
Thyme seems very easy when I've done it in early autumn. Sage has taken OK but I haven't managed to get it through to planting -lack of discipline.
Jeremy
Reminds me -must plant the year before lasts Thyme
-
Some sage varieties live 30 years and longer without dying in the middle, but most sages need light pruning.
I take cuttings of sage and thyme during late spring and summer. From healthy plants, only top growth cuttings. 90 % will root.
Cuttings taken later, sept, oktobre, take much longer to root.
Cutting about 5 inches, root within 3 weeks.
-
Lady C,
Many thanks
Phil