Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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(Text)INTRODUCTION- 15 –
Starting from Cuttings and Root Divisions
Some herbs can also be propagated using parts of already thriving
plants: divided roots and stem cuttings. The divided-root method
works best for perennials that grow in clumps, such as chives, mint,
lemon balm, oregano, and tarragon. They should be several years
old—from three to five years—and almost nearing the end of their
life. Simply dig up a plant with a developed clump of roots (about
eight inches big). Use a garden fork, shovel, or very sharp knife to
split the roots into clumps of about two inches each. Plant them
back in the ground or in a nutritious potting mix in containers.
To grow from cuttings, a branch is snipped from a healthy
plant and then sown in soil or potting mix to develop its own
roots. This method is ideal for shrubs and woody plants like sage, thyme, and rose-
mary. With garden shears or a sharp knife, cut a healthy, firm stem from just below
a growth of leaves; the cutting should be between two and six inches long. Remove
leaves from the lower third of the cutting, as this portion will be planted in sand or
potting mix to begin developing roots. The plant might need rooting hormone to
support this process, and it definitely needs plenty of water after the cutting is sown.Watering
When garden plants don’t get enough water, they’ll send their roots deeper into the
ground to find it. Container-grown plants don’t have that opportunity, so a steady
watering schedule is crucial. Keep in mind that warmer seasons will require more
frequent watering than in wintertime. Know what your herbs need in terms of mois-
ture and make sure your potting mix drains at a rate that’s healthy for your particular
plants. Some plants need their soil to be consistently moist (but never wet); others
need the surface soil to dry out a bit between waterings; and still others need their
soil to dry out completely before being watered again. Most herbs are somewhat tol-
erant of a little drought, but their needs vary depending on species, climate, humidity,
and soil.
A great way to test whether your herbs need
watering is by simply sticking your finger into the
soil. If it feels dry down to two inches deep, it
might be time to water. Follow instructions care-
fully. To ensure your container plants get enough
hydration, water them until it starts leaking out
of the drainage holes.Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
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