Too Late For Herb Cuttings?

Anne Swithinbank masterclass on: herb cuttings

- Anne Swithinbank

Q I’ve stocked my garden with a variety of herbs – mainly for cooking. My daughter is moving away in a month’s time and would like to take some with her, to grow in pots at first. Is it too late to take some cuttings, or could I lift some sections of them?

Andrea Garbut,

South Witham, Lincolnshire

AI imagine we’re talking mainly about herbs used for cooking and tea making. Many – including mints, lemon balm, marjoram, fennel and chives – are herbaceous perennials and now, when they are going dormant and dying back, is actually a good time to shear foliage, lift, divide and replant.

You can rejuvenate older plants and, at the same time, pot a few sections for your daughter. To ease transport, use small plastic pots – your daughter can then decide whether to plant them out, pot them on singly, or amalgamate them into larger containers next year.