Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3.1
Vegetables that benefit from pinching out
Amaranth
Broad beans - pinch out the top of the stem when the
lowest flowers on the stem are showing signs of finishing.
It will help 'set' the pods.
Broccoli sprouting, broccolini
Capsicum, chilli
Eggplant
Okra
Peas - when the vine reaches over the top of its trellis,
pinch out the top shoot and use for stirfrys. This will also
help set the pods.
Pumpkins, cucumber and melons - when the vine has
grown to the edge of the garden space allotted or when
there are four or five female flowers developing. Pinch out
the ends of the vine; this will help 'set' the fruit.
Tomato
Table 3.3
Annual/biennial flowers that benefit from pinching
out
Ageratum
Alyssum
Calendula
Californian poppy
Candytuft
Cerinthe
Cineraria
Cornflower
Cosmos
Dianthus, sweet william, carnation (not cut-flower
varieties)
Marigold
Mignonette
Nasturtium
Petunia
Viola, pansy
Zinnia
Howtocut
Howtocut-smallstemsupto25mm
diameter
Tools
The best results are achieved with razor sharp
secateurs. By-pass secateurs are the best. They
work like a pair of scissors where the upper
blade slides past the lower blade, which in
turn holds the branch in place. This is the
classic gardener's secateur.
can often crush the branch off rather than
cutting it. Anvil secateurs do have the
advantage of requiring less effort to make the
cut, as there is no friction.
By-pass secateurs with a revolving handle are
the best option for a precise cut and reduce
the effort of cutting by 30%. The revolving
handle also helps to prevent callusing as well
as fatigue when the tool is used for long
periods at a time.
Anvil secateurs are also available but work
like a meat cleaver on a chopping block, and
Flower snips are useful for deadheading and
cutting small branches and twigs where a
larger, heavier secateur may twist smaller
stems. Stainless steel snips are also useful in
the kitchen! See Figure 3.8 for a selection of
basic secateurs.
Table 3.2
Herbs that benefit from pinching out
Basil
Coriander
Dill
Lavender
Mints including Vietnamese mint
Oregano
Perilla/Shiso
Rosemary
Sage
Summer savory
Tarragon
Watercress
If you are left-handed do not attempt to
use right-handed secateurs. Using
unsuited secateurs will damage your
hand and your plants.
