Herb Gardening: Summer Tasks

Summer is the time of year when the vast majority of herbs are growing quite well, even when the weather is very hot and dry, as it has been along the East Coast and in the southern part of the United States during this summer of 2010. (Many herbs, especially the commonly used culinary herbs, are native to the Mediterranean region; therefore, they tend to thrive in the heat.) Of course, you should be using fresh herbs in your cooking. You can also harvest them now to make herbal oils and vinegars. There are some other tasks that you should be doing in your herb garden in the summer, too.

Water
Herbs may thrive in hot weather, but they need water, too. Most perennial herbs can handle a deep drink (about 20 minutes under the sprinkler or one-inch of water) once a week. Herbs that require more water -- such as the moisture-loving watercress -- will need more frequent waterings to keep them moist. Herbs being grown in containers should be watered daily.

Weed
Weeding the garden may seem like a never-ending chore, but it must be done to keep the undesirables out. Weeds can also steal moisture and nutrients from your herbs; therefore, regular weeding is necessary during the summer.

Propagate
The summer is a good time to start propagating your herbs. You can allow some to go to seed. Any new plants that spring up can be moved later if necessary. You can also harvest seeds, especially those produced by annuals, to be planted the following spring. (Remember, do not store your seeds in plastic bags where they might rot due to the moisture that will probably collect. Instead, place your seeds in a paper envelope, making sure that you write the name of the herb on the envelope. Store in a dark, dry area.) In addition, now is a good time to take soft-tip cuttings to start new plants. (Tip: Consider giving some of the herbs to family and friends as Christmas presents. Many of the herbs should be growing well by then and can be potted in attractive containers.)

Prune
Because your herbs are growing so well -- in fact, in particularly hot summers, your herbs may be growing better than anything else in your garden -- they will need to be pruned to keep them in check and to encourage a bushier growth. Leafy herbs; e.g., mint and lovage, can even be cut to the ground to encourage a second growth spurt. Variegated plants will sometimes revert to all-green versions. If you happen to see any solid green branches growing amongst your variegated herbs, you should cut these out to keep the entire plant from reverting to a solid green. You can also cut away any blooms -- once again to encourage a bushier growth. (Note: Many of the blooms produced by herbs can be used. For example, use the white and lavender blooms from onion and garlic chives to dress up salads and vegetables, as well as to add flavor.) Finally, some fast-growing herbal hedges, such as cotton lavender, will probably need some pruning to keep them in check and nicely shaped.

Harvest
Summer is a great time to harvest herbs for future use. You can freeze or dry them or both and have them available for use during the winter months. Most herbs freeze quite well; although, sweet basil should be blanched first. (Tip: Chop up some of your favorite herbs, place in ice trays, and fill with water for ice cubes that can be used in drinks or tossed into your favorite stew.)

While the summer may usually be a time that you and your plants like to take a little rest from the heat, your herbs are not so inclined. In fact, summer is the prime time for enjoying your herbs and your herb garden.

References:
Houdret, Jessica. Practical Herb Garden. London, England: Hermes House, 2003.

Roth, Susan A. New Complete Guide to Gardening. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Corporation, 1997.