If you like the taste of olives, you will love the olive herb. It tastes delicious and is very easy to grow. We'll tell you how here.
As the name suggests, olive herb tastes like fresh olives and is therefore one of the most popular aromatic herbs in Mediterranean cuisine. Although the moderately hardy herb has unfortunately not yet been able to achieve a high level of awareness in our country. Olive herb is generally used in the smokehouse to give meat and fish an even more delicious taste.
Since this is an herb that shouldn't be missing in any kitchen, we have noted here for you how olive herb is cultivated, cared for and harvested.
Grow olive herb
The olive herb, which grows up to an average height of 50 centimetres, should be planted in a location that is as dry as possible in full sun. It is therefore also ideal for growing in a rock garden.
Hint:
Particularly in strong sunlight, the green-leaved olive herb develops a rather intense olive scent, which spreads a pleasant aroma in the garden.
Care for olive herb properly
» Winter protection:
The olive herb, often referred to as holy herb, is one of the most easy-care herbs in the garden and can safely remain outdoors even in winter if you protect it with a little brushwood or garden fleece.
Hint:
Olive herb is also suitable for growing in pots (link tip: growing herbs on the windowsill - this is how it's done), but should then be overwintered in a frost-free room that is flooded with light as much as possible. This has the advantage that you can use the herb almost all year round.
» casting:
Furthermore, the yellow-flowering herb variety with its long-lasting flowering phase from the beginning of June to the end of August only needs moderate watering once during longer dry phases - but you should definitely avoid waterlogging!
» Fertilize:
Olive herb must also be regularly supplied with organic fertilizer. You should work this in around the plant every 4 to 6 weeks, with the soil automatically being includedis loosened up.
» pruning:
A complete pruning of the plant should only be done in early spring, just before new growth begins. In autumn, on the other hand, you should only do a small topiary every year so that the natural foliage can protect the plant from winter frosts.
Harvest olive herb
The olive herb looks very similar to the cypress plants, which is why its leaves are often incorrectly referred to as needles. However, these are ideal for seasoning countless dishes (salads or soups, fish dishes and meat dishes).
The individual stalks are harvested depending on their use. You can pluck the leaves for the dishes themselves. It also tastes good as a topping on bread or with cheese.
In addition, like other herbs, you can also dry the olive herb in late autumn, so that you don't have to do without the exquisite taste even in winter. (Link tip: How to preserve herbs - 5 options presented)
Hint:
You can also use olive herb to make herbal oils.
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