Aromatic plants are appreciated for their culinary and medicinal virtues. They are also useful in the garden or vegetable patch. And for good reason, they can repel parasites and pests. Like all plants, aromatic herbs need regular pruning to promote their healthy growth. That said, discover the aromatic herbs that should be pruned in October.
In October, several works can be carried out in the garden or vegetable patch, in order to prepare the plants to welcome the first frosts of winter, or to enter a dormant period. In addition to flowering plants or vegetable plants, aromatic plants also need special attention.
What aromatic herbs should be pruned in October?
Autumn pruning concerns perennial aromatic plants and occurs after picking , at the end of summer, when the flowers dry and the herbs lose their harmonious shape due to successive pickings. Its aim is to prepare aromatic plants for winter and their dormant period.
For perennial aromatics with evergreen foliage, it is advisable to remove dried flower stems. This autumn pruning should be light, especially for frost-resistant herbs, that is to say sensitive to frost, such as Madagascar lemongrass or lemon verbena. These plants need their foliage to survive the winter well. Severe pruning can only occur at the end of the frost, as it risks weakening your plants.
Aromatic herbs
For aromatic plants with deciduous foliage, it is advisable to cut them back, that is to say, to prune them very short, close to the ground. This helps clean the base of the plants, particularly from diseases, in addition to encouraging new shoots. Here are examples of aromatic plants to prune in October:
- Prune mint in the fall
Mint is an aromatic plant with very fragrant foliage. You can prune your mint all year round, but it is advisable to do it particularly during two periods. During the month of June, and during the fall. By pruning the base of your plant, you will strengthen it and encourage vigorous growth of new shoots. Pruning also helps stop the development of mint, especially when it becomes very invasive.
- Prune rosemary in October
Ideal for flavoring dishes, such as grilled meats, rosemary needs maintenance pruning. This can be done for two seasons. After flowering, that is to say between March and April, and in autumn, more precisely in October or November. Note that if you do not regularly maintain your rosemary, it risks losing its aesthetic shape that distinguishes it. In this case, take cuttings to propagate your rosemary and replace it. To do this, simply cut the ends of approximately 15 cm from the stems of your aromatic plant between August and October and plant them in the ground.
- Prune oregano in autumn
Oregano is an aromatic plant widely used in cooking. It is one of the plants that are part of the composition of Herbes de Provence. Oregano is easy to care for. It needs to be pruned twice. One pruning in early fall to remove dry stems, and another in the fall. This operation aims to encourage new growth.
That said, it is important to prune your perennial aromatic plants in fall. This maintenance pruning allows them to be prepared for the cold and the vegetative rest period.
