It is important to make sure that you have the right herb pruning shears when you begin herb gardening. Your shears need to be able to cut through tough stems and leaves to make them easy to harvest. This will make your herb gardening much easier. Below are some tips to help you select the right shears for your herb garden.
If you are just starting out with herb pruning shears, it is important that you use tools that are specifically designed to prune plants. These shears must have sharp blades so that you do not accidentally prune your plants. Make sure that your pruning shears are wide enough to make a clean cut on each stem. If they become dull, they can tear the delicate plant foliage and cause damage which hinders the future growth you are looking for.
For new herb pruning shears, you should first purchase a pair that are stiff and narrow. This allows you to get right into the thickest stems without having to worry about nicking the leaf. The blades must also be wide enough that you can easily cut through at least three inches of stem. You should buy a pair that are recommended for growing in all kinds of gardening, like all purpose or container gardening. Just make sure that they are not too stiff for your delicate plants.
After you identify the spot on the branch where you can clearly see tiny new leaves forming, cut the branch just above those leaves. In doing so, make sure not to disturb the leaves themselves. In fact, they will not be affected at all. Just continue cutting down to the main stem. As soon as you have finished cutting, move on to the next step.
For herb pruning shears, there is one important piece of information that you should keep in mind. There are two types of cutting that you should be familiar with: shearing and trimming. When it comes to pruning, cutting off just the tips of a stem is known as shearing. Meanwhile, trimming off just the base of a stem is called pruning. These terms should not be confused, however, as pruning refers to removing new growth and shearing refers to removing older growth.
Now you have an idea of what you need to do, it’s time to learn how to prune. You should use the shear that corresponds to the type of cutting you’re doing. This way, the task will be easier and you’ll be more productive. The different types of cutting blades you can use include alternate cutting, crosscutting, and shearing.
In choosing which shear to use, remember that it should ideally be able to cut through the thickness of a thick branch, at least two leaves above the base. It’s important to note that pruning also removes the sharp ends, so you may need two new branches to replace those that were cut down. In order to achieve the desired effect, it’s best to choose a shear that’s about twice as wide as the desired height of the plants.
After harvesting your herbs for the winter season, it’s best to store them until spring. Dry herb needs to be stored away from light and moisture to maintain their flavor and texture. This is especially true if you store your harvests in glass jars, Tupperware containers or in wooden barrels. If you plan to harvest the leaves soon after they are picked, it’s recommended that you hang them on racks indoors until you get them ready to use. Herb drying is a simple process, but it requires the right tools and supplies in order to ensure potency.