Pruning Herbs
Pruning is essential to maintain the size and shape of herbs. It can also encourage new growth and improve the overall health of the plants.
NOTE: This is part 7 in a series of 9 articles. For a complete background on how to grow herbs, we recommend starting from the beginning.
Pruning can be done throughout the growing season, but it is especially important to prune herbs regularly when harvesting herb foliage for culinary use, medicinal use, or dried flowers. For basil, the upright stems should be cut back to prevent flowering, which can reduce the plant’s vigor. It is also important to remove any dead or diseased foliage to prevent the spread of disease.